It does sound like a very plausible cause and a reasonable response, but doesn't replacing the connectors void the module warranty? You might want to get in contact with Canadian Solar before doing that.
On Tue, Jun 7, 2016 at 1:30 PM, Bill Brooks <billbroo...@sbcglobal.net> wrote: > Kirk, > > I ran into a very similar problem with a system where the connectors were > left unmated for a period of time. Salts got into the connectors and > whenever the humidity was high, the salt would track current through the > connector seals. Replace all the connectors first before trying anything > else. > > Bill. > > Sent from my awesomely huge iPhone 6+ > > On Jun 7, 2016, at 9:56 AM, August Goers <aug...@luminalt.com> wrote: > > Kirk, > > > > It sounds like you might have a bonafide ground fault somewhere, possibly > at a location other than the module lead connections. I’ve seen current > leakage cause all kinds of strange corrosion problems. Maybe there is a > pinched or cracked module lead or homerun? It might even be possible that > the wire in the conduit going to the inverters has a minor ground fault > that gets compounded by moisture and low resistance up around the array. > Make sure the array equipment grounding is solid too. Keep us posted on > what you find! > > > > Cheers, > > > > August > > > > *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On > Behalf Of *Kirk Herander > *Sent:* Tuesday, June 07, 2016 7:15 AM > *To:* 'RE-wrenches' > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Canadian Solar / MC4 connectors in a marine > environment > > > > 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 > <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
