I would think the UL listing would means it s a safe tool to use for the crimps. But with anything use common sense.
Bob On Sat, Feb 20, 2010 at 3:15 PM, Doug Pratt <dmpr...@sbcglobal.net> wrote: > Rennsteig shared many, many MBs of independent 3rd party test results > using various brands of crimpers with various brands of connectors, on > various types of wire that were then subjected to incredibly precise > resistance and pull tests. I came away thoroughly convinced that the > Rennsteig is more than equal to (actually a bit better) than the > Multi-Contact tool. > > > > And, if you recall, there were a few months toward the end of ’09 when it > seemed everyone was tooling up for MC4 connectors. Multi-Contact couldn’t > come close to keeping up with demand. During the worst of it they couldn’t > even predict when we’d get our next shipment, or how many crimpers would be > in that shipment. Pretty lame for a company that’s making $200 profit per > crimper. We had desperate dealers with contracts that HAD to finish > installation by year end even offering bribes. (My favorite was the > home-smoked wild pig ham, which I will admit did have some effect on my > actions. He’s also one of my best dealers.) > > > > Coming down the pike very soon we’ll be seeing other brands of connectors > that are fully-compatible with the Multi-Contact MC4 connector. Apparently > MC doesn’t have a patent lock on this connector. There’s at least a couple > European brands and probably some Asian ones too, currently beating their > way thru UL listing. I know at least one of them specifies the Rennsteig as > the preferred crimping tool. > > > > So, is it cheaper hardware that could potentially bring on performance and > liability problems? Ha! Not at all. It’s just better hardware at a > non-gouging price. > > The MC branded tool is, of course, still available also. > > > > Cheers, > > Doug Pratt > > DC Power Systems > > > > *From:* re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto: > re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Warren Lauzon > *Sent:* Saturday, February 20, 2010 11:24 AM > *To:* RE-wrenches > > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Rennsteig Crimper Tool > > > > Uhm. not quite. > > > > The insistence of MC to use their tool has nothing to do with code, NEC, > UL, or anything else. > > > > It has to do with (1) sales, (2) liability, and (3) quality control. > > > > For (2) it means that if a connector fails, burns down the house, and kills > 93 chickens that they are not liable because you did not use their tool. > For (3) There are or at least have been in the past attempts to use crimping > tools that were totally not meant for MC connectors, and there was also at > least one junky Chinese(?) knockoff that was way out of spec. > > > > > .................................................................................................. > Northern Arizona Wind & Sun - Electricity From The Sun Since 1979 > Solar Discussion Forum: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/ > > .................................................................................................. > > ----- Original Message ----- > > *From:* Mark Frye <ma...@berkeleysolar.com> > > *To:* 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> > > *Sent:* Saturday, February 20, 2010 9:41 AM > > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Rennsteig Crimper Tool > > > > Humm, > > > > I know I am only supposted to use Listed parts in my electrical assemblies, > but hey, I know galvanized water pipe is the same as electrical conduit.... > > > > ....I find this thread somewhat disturbing in that it supports the idea of > undermining manufactures requirements at the whim of the installer [just as > long as you don't get caught by the inspector ;-)]. > > > > Scroll up a few post and find folks singing the praise of inverter > manufacturers, confirming the need to strictly abide by their requirements > as documented.... > > > > ...this willingness to subvert clearly stated manufacturer requirements for > the sack of a few hundred bucks peals off the vanier of emerging maturity > and reveals the underlying backwards-ness inherent in the PV industry... > > > Mark Frye > Berkeley Solar Electric Systems > 303 Redbud Way > Nevada City, CA 95959 > (530) 401-8024 > www.berkeleysolar.com > > > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Home Power magazine > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Options & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > >
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