Chris,
It sounds (to me) that you are describing the bonding
"tooth" dug through the aluminum frame and into the glass?
or at least compressed the frame enough to break the glass?
If that is the case then i'm betting that the clamp bolt
was way over-torqued.
You need to check the recommended tightening torque for the
module and for the racking system you are using. For
example, what we are using these days, Kinetic, the
tightening torque for mid and end clamps is 12 ft-lb and
here are some recommended clamping torques from some
different module mfgrs....
Conergy 8 NM - 6 ft-lb
Hanwha 5 NM - 3.7 ft-lb
JA Solar 18-24 NM - 13-18 ft-lb
These likely vary based on the construction of the module
frame.
I've also found that some module mfgrs do not list
recommended tightening torques in their install manuals, so
best to use discretion.
We had a module break after clamping it down. The crew
described it as 'putting the module in place, clamping it
down and turning around to grab the next module and hearing
a 'crack' followed by the crackling glass sound (if you
have ever heard a module break, the crackling sound can
last for a few minutes). The break pattern in the glass
seemed to focus on a particular mid clamp. I used a torque
wrench, set at around 10 ft-lb and checked all the
mid-clamp bolts, increasing the torque setting by a few
ft-lb each time until it finally turned a bolt instead of
clicking. I found that most of the bolts were close to 30
ft-lb and the one that appeared to break the glass was
about 34 ft-lb.
Suffice to say, we were getting carried away with
tightening using cordless impact drivers.
At that point i and the rest of the crew started using the
torque wrench as we were going along until we had a better
feel for what was the proper torque. (i've done this
before, but it is something that needs to be self
"re-calibrated" often.
*Benn Kilburn *
CSA Certified Solar Photovoltaic Systems Electrician,
SkyFire Energy Inc
6706 – 82 Ave NW | Edmonton, AB | T6B 0E7
P: 780-474-8992 <tel:780-474-8992> | F: 888-405-5843
<tel:888-405-5843> | www.skyfireenergy.com
<http://www.skyfireenergy.com/>
email <mailto:b...@skyfireenergy.com> facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/SkyFireEnergy> twitter
<https://twitter.com/SkyFireEnergy> linkedin
<https://www.linkedin.com/company/283735?trk=tyah&trkInfo=tarId%3A1408655033432%2Ctas%3Askyfire%2Cidx%3A2-2-5>
google <https://plus.google.com/+SkyFireEnergy/>
SkyFire Energy Logo_horizontal
On Thu, Jun 25, 2015 at 5:11 PM, Chris Worcester
<ch...@solarwindworks.com
<mailto:ch...@solarwindworks.com>> wrote:
Hi Jason,
Have you or others been using the new UniRac SM mid and
end clamps with the integrated bonding yet? My concern
is the “Stainless steel Midclamp points, 2 per module,
pierce module frame anodization to bond module to
module through clamp.”
We had an MSI Alpha + self-bonding midclamp shatter the
glass on an LG 280 last fall, as the factory set point
was sticking out too far, so as it was being tightened
down, on top of the module the point dug through the
module’s top frame hitting the glass, shattering it.
I do wonder if there are any issues with this “point”
on the UniRac midclamps potential for doing the same
damage?
Chris Worcester
Solar Wind Works
NABCEP Certified PV Installer
Office 530-582-4503 <tel:530-582-4503>
Cell 530-448-9692 <tel:530-448-9692>
Fax 530-582-4603 <tel:530-582-4603>
www.solarwindworks.com <http://www.solarwindworks.com>
ch...@solarwindworks.com <mailto:ch...@solarwindworks.com>
*From:*RE-wrenches
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>] *On
Behalf Of *Jason Szumlanski
*Sent:* Thursday, June 25, 2015 1:13 PM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack
That decision was based on our distribution network
offering better pricing on Unirac, and engineers being
comfortable with it. Now with the integrated grounding
from Unirac, I can't see moving away from it again
barring a significant cost benefit. It also stacks and
stocks easier than the Ironridge rails.
On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 5:55 PM, Dana Brandt
<d...@ecotechenergy.com
<mailto:d...@ecotechenergy.com>> wrote:
Hi Jason,
We've used Unirac for years but have been contemplating
Ironridge. I'm curious what your experience was and why
you went back to Unirac?
Anyone else have input on best racking systems for
flush-mounted residential systems on comp roof?
Thanks,
Dana
Dana Brandt
Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC
www.ecotechenergy.com <http://www.ecotechenergy.com>
d...@ecotechenergy.com <mailto:d...@ecotechenergy.com>
360.318.7646 <tel:360.318.7646>
On Wed, Feb 5, 2014 at 12:09 PM, Jason Szumlanski
<ja...@fafcosolar.com <mailto:ja...@fafcosolar.com>> wrote:
By Snap N Rack, you mean Sun Run...
http://cleantechnica.com/2014/02/05/sunrun-acquires-rec-solars-residential-business-aee-solar-snapnrack-means/
I'm curious if these vertical integrators will still
make their acquired brands available to small dealers
through distribution. When SolarCity snatched up Zep, I
had concerns about being able to service or add onto
existing Zep systems we installed. That's definitely a
concern going forward, and reason to perhaps stick with
the most compatible racking solutions available. We
used IronRidge for a while, which is largely compatible
with Unirac, but now we're back on the Unirac bandwagon.
Interesting times...
Jason Szumlanski
Fafco Solar
On Wed, Feb 5, 2014 at 12:45 PM, Max Balchowsky
<m...@seesolar.com <mailto:m...@seesolar.com>> wrote:
We have been using Snap N' Rack for a while, Have lots
of installs in Hawaii - so far no problems, I like the
convenience of the design for snapping in the slider
nut in mid rail, and also the ability to install the
panels flush with the end of the rails….
Max Balchowsky
Design Engineer
SEE Systems
1048 Irvine Ave Suite 217
Newport Beach, Ca. 92660
760-403-6810 <tel:760-403-6810>
"Building a Better Future For The Next Generation"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:*Allen Frishman <amfr...@aeonsolar.com
<mailto:amfr...@aeonsolar.com>>
*To:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>>
*Sent:* Wednesday, February 5, 2014 6:17 AM
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack
I am curious about the mid clamps on the snapnrack. The
flange that rests on top of the solar panel frame is so
small ~ 3/16". Anyone experience any problems with
these failing in a big storm? With solar panel
frames not being square it is nice to have a little
extra to grab - I am always curious as to why these
clips are made with such a small area to hold the
panels down.
All feedback on these clips is appreciated.
/Al Frishman/
AeonSolar
/(917) 699-6641 <tel:%28917%29%20699-6641> - cell/
/(888) 460-2867 <tel:%28888%29%20460-2867>/
/www.aeonsolar.com <http://www.aeonsolar.com/>/
On Jun 1, 2013, at 10:41 AM, Max Balchowsky wrote:
Have installed last three systems (35Kw)with snap n rack.
love it....
Max Balchowsky
Design Engineer
SEE Systems
1048 Irvine Ave Suite 217
Newport Beach, Ca. 92660
760-403-6810 <tel:760-403-6810>
"Building a Better Future For The Next Generation"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:*Solarguy <nt...@1scom.net <mailto:nt...@1scom.net>>
*To:* 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>>
*Sent:* Friday, May 31, 2013 10:11 PM
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack
The only complaint with the Snapnrack rails is the thin
wall can easily be distorted. This will allow the nut
to drop out of its groove. Love the universal end
clamps but have learned to assemble every one to check
for proper fit before getting on the roof.
Jim Duncan
-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>] On
Behalf Of Drake
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 7:32 PM
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: [RE-wrenches] SnapNrack
Hello Wrenches,
How would you rate the SnapNrack mounting systems
against Unirac and other mounting systems?
Thanks,
Drake
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