Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-28 Thread R Ray Walters
The fill window can also show full, when it is actually dry. You've got to pop those caps, and visually check the old fashioned way. That's why we're now advocating a "semi, semi auto system" using only one BFS cap with a pressure sprayer to fill each cell. Auto shut off, but then you visually d

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-27 Thread Doug Pratt
closed.) Cheers, Doug Pratt DC Power Systems -Original Message- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Richard L Ratico Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 7:27 PM To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Subject: Re: [RE-wren

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-23 Thread Nick Soleil
94953 Cell: 707-321-2937 Office: 707-789-9537 Fax:707-769-9037 From: R Ray Walters To: RE-wrenches Sent: Tue, December 22, 2009 10:30:06 PM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering We just came up with what we think is the best solution so far

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-22 Thread R Ray Walters
We just came up with what we think is the best solution so far for battery watering: we took the the pressurized sprayer idea (thank you wrenches) and hooked it up to one of those onry BFS filling caps. The result was a manual watering system with an idiot proof back up. JUst put the cap in, sta

[RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-22 Thread North Texas Renewable Energy Inc
Has anyone tried a modified drip irrigtation system for battery watering? The calibrated emitters can assure the accurate regulation of water flow. Turn off the pressure and the feed stops. Sounds like a good winter project for the slow season. And we can share the patent rights! Have a long an

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-21 Thread Richard L Ratico
Amen. Dick Ratico Solarwind Electric --- You wrote: All, I'm a little late on this thread, but wanted to give some contrary experience. We have, maybe, 15 BFS watering systems out there, dating back 5 to 6 years. Although I've experienced some issues in getting watering systems set up properly, o

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-21 Thread Kelly Keilwitz, Whidbey Sun & Wind
All, I'm a little late on this thread, but wanted to give some contrary experience. We have, maybe, 15 BFS watering systems out there, dating back 5 to 6 years. Although I've experienced some issues in getting watering systems set up properly, once they are set I haven't seen a problem develop. Im

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-14 Thread Chris Schaefer
nt: 14 December, 2009 09:58 To: 'RE-wrenches' Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering I stopped using Hydro-caps after replacing the umpteenth set that had melted down. During a conversation with Hydro-cap I was told that [& this was many years ago] the bulk voltage

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-14 Thread robert ellison
rom:* frenergy > *To:* RE-wrenches ; > al...@positiveenergysolar.com > *Sent:* Monday, December 14, 2009 9:05 AM > *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering > > Maybe one way to express it would be hydrocaps are great if you use the the > same charging parameters no matte

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-14 Thread Dana
@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Joel Davidson Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 7:18 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering You can get Hydrocaps direct from Hydrocap Corp., 975 N.W. 95 Street, Miami, FL 33150, Tel 305-696-2504. I gave up trying to buy them after they re

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-14 Thread wind...@wind-sun.com
December 13, 2009 7:17 PM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering You can get Hydrocaps direct from Hydrocap Corp., 975 N.W. 95 Street, Miami, FL 33150, Tel 305-696-2504. I gave up trying to buy them after they returned my check twice. They wanted more info about charge

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-14 Thread Carl Hansen
Monday, December 14, 2009 9:05 AM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering Maybe one way to express it would be hydrocaps are great if you use the the same charging parameters no matter what the age, condition of the battery is. This seems to be critical to sizing the HCs pro

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-14 Thread frenergy
ck to regular caps after using HCs Bill Feather River Solar Electric - Original Message - From: Bill Loesch To: al...@positiveenergysolar.com ; RE-wrenches Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 4:17 AM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering Another person'

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-14 Thread Bill Loesch
y (MO) Licensed Water Heater Specialist - Original Message - From: Allan Sindelar To: RE-wrenches Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 4:01 PM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering One person's opinion, here... Avoid Hydrocaps. You need to remove them to equalize

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-13 Thread Joel Davidson
nt: Sunday, December 13, 2009 2:01 PM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering One person's opinion, here... Avoid Hydrocaps. You need to remove them to equalize. They can clog up and plug the battery up, leading to an explosion from pressure. I have seen it.

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-13 Thread Allan Sindelar
One person's opinion, here... Avoid Hydrocaps. You need to remove them to equalize. They can clog up and plug the battery up, leading to an explosion from pressure. I have seen it.

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-13 Thread wind...@wind-sun.com
es" Sent: Saturday, December 12, 2009 5:50 AM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering Joel, I was waiting to see if others use my method but I didn't see anyone post it. I've been off grid and having to maintain my batteries since 1997.

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-13 Thread Andrew Truitt
quot; > Sent: Saturday, December 12, 2009 5:50 AM > > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering > > > Joel, > > I was waiting to see if others use my method but I didn't see anyone > post it. > I've been off grid and having to maintain my batterie

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-12 Thread Joel Davidson
The RE-Wrenches knowledge base scores again! Happy Holidays. Joel Davidson - Original Message - From: "Roy Butler" To: "RE-wrenches" Sent: Saturday, December 12, 2009 5:50 AM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering Joel, I was waiting to see if ot

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-12 Thread Roy Butler
Bob and Jay, That's where I keep mine, in the battery box. Also, I bought 2 others for general use so mine would be left alone. And I labeled mine with nasty warnings! I'm the only one that ventures into the scary battery zone, so no worries there! Roy Butler NABCEP Certified Solar PV Instal

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-12 Thread jeff Wongstrom
Roy, After reading the tip about herbicide sprayers on the wrench list a few years ago I also use and recommend sprayers for battery watering. With systems that I install that include a wet cell battery I provide and install the following 'Battery Safety and Maintenance Kit':

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-12 Thread jay peltz
Hi Bob-O, Its what I've been using for years and get for my clients, new sprayers that is. I recommend building the battery box large enough to store it inside that way nobody messes with it and you have a harder time losing it.. keep the peace, jay peltz power On Dec 12, 2009, at 9:27 AM, Bo

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-12 Thread Bob-O Schultze
Roy, Good idea, but you'd almost want to keep in in a locked box. The potential for someone using it for say... a dormant oil spraying of the fruit trees, is way scary. "But I cleaned it out really well afterwards and the spray is organic!". Perhaps if you encase it in red warning tape with tox

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-12 Thread Roy Butler
Joel, I was waiting to see if others use my method but I didn't see anyone post it. I've been off grid and having to maintain my batteries since 1997. I grew to hate the battery watering jugs for several reasons and finally came up with something that works for me.your results may vary! I

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery 'Automatic'' Watering

2009-12-11 Thread Richard L Ratico
positive. > > Bill > Feather River Solar Electric > > > ----- Original Message - > From: Joel Davidson > To: RE-wrenches > Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 11:07 AM > Subject: **Possible_Spam** Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering > > On-grid.

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-11 Thread Joel Davidson
Wrenches, Thank you for your feedback that automatic watering is not automatic or reliable. Valves can stick open (a flood) or shut (a dry cell) or not seat properly (dripping that becomes a slow flood). I'll get a 2.5 quart watering can sold at auto parts stores - unless you all have a better

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-11 Thread toddcory
o their System Control Panelor MATE. Brian Teitelbaum AEE Solar From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of toddc...@finestplanet.com Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 4:21 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-11 Thread Brian Teitelbaum
-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of toddc...@finestplanet.com Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 4:21 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering Well said Jeff... like with auto genny starting systems... if the customer is not

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery 'Automatic'' Watering

2009-12-11 Thread R Ray Walters
e - > From: Joel Davidson > To: RE-wrenches > Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 11:07 AM > Subject: **Possible_Spam** Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering > > On-grid. The IBE lead-antimony cells already installed. So far Wrench > feedback is automatic watering systems are

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-11 Thread Bob-O Schultze
That's what the red oil pressure light on the dash is for., silly. Bob-O On Dec 10, 2009, at 4:21 PM, toddc...@finestplanet.com wrote: Well said Jeff... like with auto genny starting systems... if the customer is not willing to be involved with flying their system, only insisting on some "

[RE-wrenches] Battery 'Automatic'' Watering

2009-12-10 Thread frenergy
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 11:07 AM Subject: **Possible_Spam** Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering On-grid. The IBE lead-antimony cells already installed. So far Wrench feedback is automatic watering systems are unreliable. The watering system that IBE sells to its forkli

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-10 Thread toddcory
Well said Jeff... like with auto genny starting systems... if the customer is not willing to be involved with flying their system, only insisting on some "auto-pilot" system... a crash is inevitable. Watering the batteries is an opportunity for the customer to be more involved with their system.

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-10 Thread toddcory
I do not have these an any customer's systems yet. The data comes from my Surrette evaluation/beta test bank. All my future battery based/grid ties will get these though. Todd On Thursday, December 10, 2009 10:19am, "jay peltz" said: > HI Todd, > > Given the super long time between watering

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-10 Thread Joel Davidson
Malibu, California record low 33 degrees F. Here we sing, "The weather outside is delightful." - Original Message - From: "Bob-O Schultze" To: "RE-wrenches" Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 10:42 AM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Wate

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-10 Thread Joel Davidson
the drips add up resulting in overfilled cells and a mess. Joel Davidson - Original Message - From: toddc...@finestplanet.com To: RE-wrenches Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 10:03 AM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering On grid or off grid Joel? If grid

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-10 Thread Jeff Oldham
I've had pretty good luck with Pro-Fill from Jan Watercraft Prod. But will only use them on monster battery banks of over 40 caps or so and only after trying my best to talk the owner out of it. The most important factor with these is to NEVER go fully automatic, it is imperative that a human st

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-10 Thread Bob-O Schultze
It's water. Unless your battery shed is at least somewhat heated, it freezes in the winter most places. Him no work good. bob-O On Dec 10, 2009, at 8:43 AM, Dana wrote: Joel, I looked at Battery watering Systems equipment at the Anaheim show and the prices looked better than other systems I hav

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-10 Thread jay peltz
HI Todd, Given the super long time between waterings, do you send a reminder or work out a service contract? jay peltz power ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-10 Thread toddcory
On grid or off grid Joel? If grid tied /w battery backup, use lead calcium wet cells. They only need watering about every 18 months. Todd On Wednesday, December 9, 2009 6:14pm, "Joel Davidson" said: > Wrenches, > > We installed 48 each IBE 1-85N-15 cells (24 in series in 2 Direct Power & >

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-10 Thread Dana
] Battery Automatic Watering Wrenches, We installed 48 each IBE 1-85N-15 cells (24 in series in 2 Direct Power & Water battery boxes). We do not want to use Hydrocaps. Your suggestions for an automatic watering system would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance. Happy Holidays. Joel Davi

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-10 Thread Randy Brooks
I agree with Ray. We used a battery filling system once and had the same problems with leaks, cells over filled and under filled. We took it out and will never use a battery filling system again. If a customer is not willing, or around enough, to do proper flooded battery maintenance, we

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-10 Thread Kent Osterberg
I've used the Liquid Precision units because they work with a gravity feed system with the tank just a few feet above the batteries.  I haven't had any operational problems with them, yet.  But I've broken several of them just trying to install or remove them.  And they have to be removed to ch

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-09 Thread R Ray Walters
I have to highly recommend against Battery FIlling Systems. After 3 years trying to make their products work, we are pulling all watering systems out, and offering full refunds. Some of the caps leaked at only 1 psi of pressure, some overfilled the batteries causing acid spills, and the worst: s

[RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

2009-12-09 Thread Joel Davidson
Wrenches, We installed 48 each IBE 1-85N-15 cells (24 in series in 2 Direct Power & Water battery boxes). We do not want to use Hydrocaps. Your suggestions for an automatic watering system would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance. Happy Holidays. Joel Davidson _