That's very curious, indeed. Given that virtually all of the CS6Ps we installed were on micros, module interconnects would not have been an issue. Sounds like it could be a MC4 defect if the home run connection didn't exhibit the same issue. Strange. I'll be watching for other feedback.
On Tue, Jun 7, 2016 at 10:15 AM, Kirk Herander <vtso...@icloud.com> wrote: > Hi, > > For clarity, corrosion was found on various module interconnects between > panels, not where a string end mates to a field installed home-run > connector. So I would hope Canadian Solar would use identical connectors on > all their modules. They all certainly looked like MC4 connectors to me. > > > > *Kirk Herander* > > *Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC * > > *Celebrating our 25th Anniversary 1991-2016* > > *www.vermontsolarnow.com <http://www.vermontsolarnow.com>* > > dba Vermont Solar Engineering > > NABCEPTM 2003 Inaugural Certificant > > VT RE Incentive Program Partner > > 802.863.1202 > > > > > > > > *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On > Behalf Of *jay > *Sent:* Monday, June 06, 2016 11:15 PM > *To:* RE-wrenches > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Canadian Solar / MC4 connectors in a marine > environment > > > > Hi Kirk, > > the connectors if done correctly are water tight. > > There are few thoughts as to issues. > > > > wrong sized gland nut > > incorrectly tightened > > if double jacketed wire, the outer layer could have come lose allowing > water in. > > are they real MC-4? > > > > debris during installation allowing damaged O rings > > > > Can’t think of much else. but way to many of them out there for it to be a > OEM problem. > > > > jay > > peltz power > > On Jun 6, 2016, at 2:28 PM, Kirk Herander <vtso...@icloud.com> wrote: > > > > Hello, > > > > I am debugging a Florida ocean-side 35 kw array using 4 year old Canadian > Solar panels, which I’ve never had a high opinion of, installed by others. > > I’ve discovered several not-so-good problems, such as low insulation > resistance through the panels, ONLY when raining, early to mid-morning > condensation, or by using the last resort of spraying the panels with a > garden house and watching the SMA inverters shut down due to failing their > self “Riso” (that’s the IRT) test creating a ground fault error. > > That aside, what’s just as interesting is that about 8 or 9 of the module > interconnections were basically oozing the aqua-blue copper tarnish. I’ve > never seen this in any installation before. Either the MC4s weren’t crimped > and tightened at the factory well, or the connectors were seated poorly, > although that doesn’t seem to be the case. BTW, I replaced all these > dubious MC4 connectors and the ground faults still occur when the panels > are wet. > > The bigger issue is the panel warranty, but is there anything on the > market which could seal these connections, perhaps a type of “clamshell” to > provide an extra layer of protection, which is removable if need be? > There’s always glue-filled heat shrink, but ideally I don’t want anything > permanent surrounding the connectors. > > Has anyone ever seen what I’m describing in a marine environment? > > > > *Kirk Herander* > > *Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC * > > *Celebrating our 25th Anniversary 1991-2016* > > *www.vermontsolarnow.com* > > dba Vermont Solar Engineering > > NABCEPTM 2003 Inaugural Certificant > > VT RE Incentive Program Partner > > 802.863.1202 > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > >
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