I get the torque wrench out occasionally to check, especially if using
some new hardware with different specs. However on a daily basis, I
generally do it by feel. I have come across an amazing number of over
and under torqued connections over the years, though, so it really is an
issue for all of us to watch out for. Even though I'm not toting a
torque wrench up on the roof, I still hand tighten the final half turn
on all connections, to make sure they are right. I don't run a big crew
anymore, but I could see the advantage in having pre-programmed settings
for the new people.
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 11/29/2016 2:01 PM, Kirk Herander wrote:
My strategy is to have several spares in a multi-bay charger, and
change out when the battery reads 50% (2 bars). Subjective, I know,
but we are talking in-lbs when tightening rack hardware, not ft-lbs.
Anyway, I’ll report back to the list once I get my programmable M18’s
and try it out.
And I’m curious, how many of us actually use a torque wrench on the
job with any regularity, be it rack or electrical connections? I have
never seen an everyday electrician use one, even on serious industrial
work in a tightly controlled jobsite. Every lug, connector, fastener
has a recommended torque. I think we all have seen the damage heat
causes as the result of a loose connection.
The last commercial system I did, a third party was hired to audit the
PV work. It was on the checklist to spot check torques. I have been
spot-checking torque ever since.
*From:*RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org]
*On Behalf Of *Ray Walters
*Sent:* Tuesday, November 29, 2016 1:14 PM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools
I own the M18, and the power varies noticeably with discharge, and
also with higher amp hour packs. My drill screams with a 5 AH pack!
I agree its less of a drop with discharge than with lead acid or
NiiCad, but its still enough to make torque settings inaccurate.
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 11/29/2016 10:32 AM, Kirk Herander wrote:
M18 lithium batteries deliver full power until they are almost
fully discharged. I doubt it’s an issue.
*From:*RE-wrenches
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of
*Glenn Burt
*Sent:* Monday, November 28, 2016 8:59 PM
*To:* 'RE-wrenches'
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools
Most battery powered ‘torque’ settings change as the batteries are
depleted.
Do they say that this is not so for this model?
-Glenn
*From:*RE-wrenches
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org]
<mailto:[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org]> *On
Behalf Of *Kirk Herander
*Sent:* Monday, November 28, 2016 12:39 PM
*To:* 'RE-wrenches'
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools
As I understand it, there are 4 buttons on the drill, each can be
programmed to one of 10 torque levels through the app. And yes the
torque levels are 1 – 10, not torque values. For example, tighten
an L-foot to a scrap piece of rail at each torque increment,
measuring after with a torque wrench, til you have the values of
each increment. Then program the drill buttons to your most often
spec’ed torques, and you’re done. Just press one of the four
buttons on the drill to get the required torque. The values are
set in the drill even with battery removed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiX8HPqXitQ
Here’s one of the videos of how the app works. Anyway I need a new
M18 driver, so I just ordered one. I will see about practicality
in our trade.
*From:*RE-wrenches
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of
*Dan Fink
*Sent:* Sunday, November 27, 2016 11:51 AM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools
I thought the idea of being to preset torque RPM settings from the
app was good, my reasoning being have one impact set (by the boss,
behind password) for installing racking lags, another set more
delicately for mounting equipment, etc, but watched one of their
videos and the torque is not calibrated to in-lbs, it's like a
range of 1-4, and the app lets you do a 2-1/2 for example. The
actual torque is up to you to figure out.....so you still need
calibrated hand torque wrenches.
Not enough to make me switch brands (that would be super
expensive)....and I'm not sure I like the idea of adding
complicated electronics to a really simple, reliable tool.
Dan Fink
Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute
IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
~ PV Installation Professional
~ Small Wind Installer
Executive Director, Buckville Energy
NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
970.672.4342 <tel:970.672.4342>
On Sun, Nov 27, 2016 at 8:17 AM, William Dorsett
<wmdors...@sbcglobal.net <mailto:wmdors...@sbcglobal.net>> wrote:
Pardon my ignorance but what would be the purpose of a smart phone
app for a cordless drill? It’s not like we’d be using it
hands-free anyway. You can imagine being up on a ladder, drilling
with one hand and adjusting at the same time with the smart phone?
Sounds like a bad mismatch.
Bill Dorsett
Manhattan, KS
*From:*RE-wrenches
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>] *On Behalf Of
*Christopher Warfel
*Sent:* Saturday, November 26, 2016 10:12 AM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools
Don't tell me this, I just bought Dewalt tools. ahhh
On 11/22/2016 11:21 AM, Kirk Herander wrote:
Hello,
Anyone out there invested in these tools yet? Looks
interesting. Amongst other things, you can custom program the
cordless drill to various speeds and torques using a smart
phone app.
*Kirk Herander*
*Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC *
*/Celebrating our 25^th Anniversary 1991-2016/*
*www.vermontsolarnow.com <http://www.vermontsolarnow.com>*
dba Vermont Solar Engineering
NABCEP^TM 2003 Inaugural Certificant
VT RE Incentive Program Partner
802.863.1202 <tel:802.863.1202>
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
List Address:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
<mailto: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
<http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm>
Check out or update participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://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
_______________________________________________
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
