Mine was a roof mount. We had very few SolarWorld projects. In fact, this might be our only one.
On Fri, Nov 10, 2023, 8:10 AM Chris Schaefer via RE-wrenches < [email protected]> wrote: > I'd be curious to know of the connector failures y'all have experienced, > were the majority of these roof mounts? > Just wondering if with better air flow like that of a pole/ground mount, > if that helped to minimize connector failure. > > Christopher > > On Fri, Nov 10, 2023 at 1:21 AM Bill Battagin via RE-wrenches < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Ray, >> >> Exactly the same thing happened for me on a ground mount >> system, 3500 feet elevation the the Sierras so open cooler air, fully >> engaged MC4 factory connectors PV to PV connectors with SW285's, not >> passing current, melted. No attempt to contact SW just made up new >> connectors. >> >> My calculation is with anything that is no doubt made up by >> the bazillion with a machine (connectors, light bulbs, pencils, chicken >> nuggets, etc) you're going to get some duds. In 20+ years of installing >> PVs with factory made-up connectors, I've only seen this happen 2-3 times. >> Installing in the mountains we no doubt use ground mount much more often >> than most installs in urban areas which would make a hot, melted connector >> possibly more of an issue a couple inches above a comp or wood roof. We've >> never seen any connectors fail beyond the melted/deformed but still >> "contained" stage . >> >> Back when SW was first transitioning from one connector to >> another, I remember them saying they (I think it was UTX and MC or was it >> UTX and Amphenol?) were compatible. We NEVER mixed connectors despite >> their claim. >> >> Bill >> >> Feather River Solar Electric >> 4291 Nelson St. (Shipping) >> 5575 Genesee Rd. (USPS, UPS) >> Taylorsville, CA 95983 >> 530-284-7849, 258-1641(cell) >> CA. C10 Lic # 874049 >> Solar Powered since 1982 >> Home of the Sunny Side Up >> >> On 11/9/2023 4:31 PM, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches wrote: >> >> I'm trying to find a pic to post, but they were MC4 connectors, not the >> UTX. >> >> Ray >> On 11/9/2023 4:57 PM, Brian Mehalic wrote: >> >> Are they the Amohenol UTX connectors? SW had a recall on them, sounds >> like about the right timeframe. >> >> BREAKING: SolarWorld recalls PV modules with Amphenol connectors >> <https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2017/03/29/solarworld-recalls-amphenol-connectors-sold-with-pv-modules/> >> pv-magazine-usa.com >> <https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2017/03/29/solarworld-recalls-amphenol-connectors-sold-with-pv-modules/> >> >> <https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2017/03/29/solarworld-recalls-amphenol-connectors-sold-with-pv-modules/> >> >> >> Brian >> >> On Nov 9, 2023, at 4:47 PM, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches >> <[email protected]> <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> >> >> 12 Ga wire is not going to catch on fire, but the MC connectors might. I >> just went back on a 7 yr old Solarworld install, and had a bad series MC >> connector (module to module). It got quite crispy, deforming and bubbling >> the plastic on both sides of the connection. It was still passing current; >> I didn't get a chance to measure the volt drop. It was completely plugged >> in, so not an installation issue. >> >> This was not one of our connectors made up in the field, these were >> Solarworld factory connectors on both sides, same model modules. That also >> means no mismatch of "MC4" connector type. >> >> 10+ amps continuous, moist environment, 30F+ hotter than ambient temp, >> all are tough on connectors. I predict more connector failures as module >> current ratings increase. >> >> Ray Walters >> Remote Solar >> On 11/9/2023 3:02 PM, Glenn Burt via RE-wrenches wrote: >> >> Good luck trying to convince your customer that their house caught on >> fire because of a manufacturers flaw, and you have no responsibility for it… >> >> It may be an out to shift the blame, but it only makes everybody get some >> on them… >> >> >> >> *From:* RE-wrenches <[email protected]> >> <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *William >> Miller via RE-wrenches >> *Sent:* Wednesday, November 08, 2023 12:14 PM >> *To:* RE-wrenches <[email protected]> >> <[email protected]> >> *Cc:* William Miller <[email protected]> <[email protected]> >> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Cable sizing for high current modules? NEC >> interpretation/guidance? >> >> >> >> George: >> >> >> >> Appliance manufacturers have their own requirements that are not the same >> as the NEC requirements. As long as you are not modifying the manufactured >> assembly you are not responsible for compliance of that appliance. By >> appliance, I mean the solar module, microinverter, etc. >> >> >> >> William Miller >> >> >> >> Miller Solar >> >> 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422 >> >> 805-438-5600 >> >> www.millersolar.com >> >> CA Lic. 773985 >> >> >> >> >> >> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:[email protected]] *On >> Behalf Of *George McClellan via RE-wrenches >> *Sent:* Wednesday, November 8, 2023 9:06 AM >> *To:* RE-wrenches >> *Cc:* George McClellan >> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Cable sizing for high current modules? NEC >> interpretation/guidance? >> >> >> >> Team; >> >> >> >> With the move to larger cells, some modules have an Isc that is pushing >> the limits of 12 AWG wire. If I apply the rule of 156% (or 125% solar >> derate*125% continuous load derate) to an 18 Amp Isc module this will >> exceed the 25A that a 12 AWG wire can carry. I understand that the >> homeruns will need to be a larger AWG (10 ga), but do the solar module >> cables (from junction box to MC4) also need to be larger? Any guidance or >> reference material would be greatly appreciated. >> >> >> >> Thx, >> >> >> >> George McClellan | Senior Technical Sales Manager | REC Americas LLC >> >> 330 James Way Ste 150 | Pismo Beach, CA 93449 | USA >> >> Cell phone +1 805 704 3226 | Fax +1 805 357 6104 >> >> www.recgroup.com | [email protected] >> <[email protected]> >> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> >> This message is private and confidential and may be privileged. Any >> unauthorized use, dissemination of the information or copying of this >> message is prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please >> notify us immediately and remove it from your system. 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