[RE-wrenches] Battery interconnect cable length

2011-06-06 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Since batteries seem to be a hot topic lately, I've got a question... ...in a single 48V string, (24 x 2V) if each interconnect cable is 14"-4/0awg and one cable in the middle of the string must be longer (btwn 20"-24" total length)... How detrimental will that be to the overall efficiency? Sho

Re: [RE-wrenches] Ladders for Inspectors

2011-09-01 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
This issue came up for me as well. I dont recall at the moment where it is written, perhaps it was OSHA, but apparently the contractor (permit puller) is responsible for supplying access and safety equip ie, fall protection (with exception of personal PPE, boots, hat, glasses) for inspectors t

Re: [RE-wrenches] Unknown rail.

2013-07-31 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
I'm not debating that it is snapnrack, but it does look very similar to Kinetic, which we are using a lot of these days. benn Sent from a 'smart' phone, with touch screen keys. Please excuse shortcuts and typos. On 2013-07-31, at 2:21 PM, All Solar wrote: > Can anyone please identify the ra

Re: [RE-wrenches] GFX Series with generator

2013-08-08 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
I believe there is an issue with connecting the GFX (or GVFX) to just any generator, such that Outback recommends or perhaps requires (warranty reasons?) that the only generator that can be used is a particular Honda generator. The EU series maybe. A real down fall of the GFX's. benn Sent fro

[RE-wrenches] Minimum Lux needed

2013-09-05 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Wrenches, I was asked... What is the minimum Lux level required to make usable electricity with a commonly installed monocrystaline PV module. The question is for the purpose of designing a tracker that will not operate until a particular threshold is reached. Thanks, benn Sent from a 'smart'

Re: [RE-wrenches] Minimum Lux needed

2013-09-05 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Hi Benn, > > It's around 200W per square meter. > > Blessings, > Kelly > > Kelly Larson > Electrical Engineer > NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional > ISPQ Master Trainer > CA Electrical Contractor# 868189 > SolarKelly.com > > On Se

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sealing roof vent

2013-10-03 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Drake, If you are relocating the vent and abandoning the existing hole then could you not just cut the vent flush to the roof or cut it right out and slide a "flashing" up under the above shingles to cover the hole, rather than plugging and filling the vent? Or... Given the pitch of the roof an

Re: [RE-wrenches] question about pole mount interconnection

2013-10-09 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
William, With Tech90 regardless of the conductor size it always comes with a bare #8 included. A 3 conductor #10 (aka 10/3) will have red, white, and black #10 plus the bare#8. A four conductor will have red, white, black and blue. I have only ever seen or been made aware by my suppliers tha

Re: [RE-wrenches] question about pole mount interconnection

2013-10-09 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
ndeed always included and are available in different sizes, to an extent. benn Sent from a 'smart' phone, with touch screen keys. Please excuse shortcuts and typos. On 2013-10-09, at 1:31 PM, Benn At DayStarSolar wrote: > William, > With Tech90 regardless of the conductor

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery reading materials

2013-10-30 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Jesse, 'The Renewable Handbook' by William Kemp is a great resource for off-grid living. There are a couple editions but any one of them makes a great read. Also homepower.com and the solarpro website are packed with great articles. benn Sent from a 'smart' phone, with touch screen keys. Please

Re: [RE-wrenches] Engineered rafters

2013-11-06 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
William For what it's worth, you may want to check with the rafter mfgr and/or Eng as it is possible they will not allow holes being drilled into them and you could open yourself up to liability issues. I have a structural eng who is insisting I squeeze a construction adhesive (such as LePage

Re: [RE-wrenches] PV Wiring methods

2013-11-14 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
SS cable ties for ~.33/ea http://electricalwireties.com benn Sent from a 'smart' phone, with touch screen keys. Please excuse shortcuts and typos. > On Nov 14, 2013, at 10:51 AM, Ray Walters wrote: > > Where are you buying them from? I am so ready to move away from plastic zip > ties. 59 c

[RE-wrenches] Proposed CE Code Rule -rodent damage control

2012-06-29 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Wrenches, It has come to my attention that there is a proposed code rule for Section 50 (photovoltaics) of the CE Code (Canada's electrical code book) that wants to see all PV wires protected from potential rodent damage. It is suggesting that "all" PV wires be protected in conduit, even under

Re: [RE-wrenches] Proposed CE Code Rule -rodent damage control

2012-06-29 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
06-29, at 11:25 AM, "Benn At DayStarSolar" wrote: > Wrenches, > It has come to my attention that there is a proposed code rule for Section 50 > (photovoltaics) of the CE Code (Canada's electrical code book) that wants to > see all PV wires protected from potential rode

Re: [RE-wrenches] L feet no flashing in shingle roof

2012-06-29 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Drake, This won't help with the height issue, but maybe you could trim the flashing where it is close to the skylights? Or is it possible to access the underside of the roof beside the skylight so you can add a spanner btwn the rafters so you can have room for the flashing? No answer for the h

Re: [RE-wrenches] L feet no flashing in shingle roof

2012-07-03 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
I haven't read up on the mentioned structural screws yet, but do they specifically state that they can be driven "without" a pilot hole? What is the justification and how are they different so that they won't cause a board to split under pressure? Does anyone have some good info on this? benn

Re: [RE-wrenches] roof attachment in tile roof

2012-07-18 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
William, Jason; I appreciate the suggestion, it sounds like an ideal solution. I do wonder why you prefer posts when you could use the tile hooks and avoid the extra work and time of cutting and flashing? If it makes for a better attachment structurally and weather-proof wise, then I'm all for

Re: [RE-wrenches] Best practices for comp shingle flashing?

2012-08-15 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Eric, you can purchase L-foot brackets of varying heights upwards of 7" from several PV racking mfgrs. You are not limited by the height of the flashing bolt or post. Check DPW's catalogue for example. benn Sent from a 'smart' phone, with touch screen keys. Please excuse shortcuts and typos

Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase and Romex

2012-10-25 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Jason, Why don't you transition to romex in the Soladeck, eliminating the need for a junction box in the attic? I abide by the CE Code (Canadian) and run a #6green from the roof to the dist pnl. benn Sent from a 'smart' phone, with touch screen keys. Please excuse shortcuts and typos. On 2

Re: [RE-wrenches] EMT in attic - vs FMC vs armored cable

2012-11-09 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Sounds like you are referring to what we refer to around here as teck cable. Very common stuff for industrial applications. Here, pretty much any electrical wholesaler has stock in several configurations. Can be ordered in 2,3,4,5,6... (Not sure the limit extent) number of conductors and in

Re: [RE-wrenches] Roof flashings on L-feet in high snow load conditions

2012-11-13 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Troy, Maybe adding additional support to the trusses would allow you to spread out the Lfeet a bit more? ...but then there is still that added cost!?! QuickmountPV for one, makes a pretty solid case that any roof penetration needs to be flashed if the waterproof integrity of a roof is to be ma

Re: [RE-wrenches] PV String Over-voltage

2012-11-29 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Larry, Would it not be a more straightforward approach to just size the strings, temperature compensating for the coldest anticipated temp? Nonetheless, such a device could be useful in some circumstances. I'd be interested to know if your search comes up with something. benn Sent from a 'smar

Re: [RE-wrenches] Pilot Hole Template

2012-12-11 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Jesse, I can't picture how you will use the flashing and EMT as a guide? 2x6 tongue and groove? So is it laid flat (interconnecting the T&G) or is it on edge like a truss? Either way, if you can establish a reference point from inside to the roof, then from the inside (if accessible) accurately

Re: [RE-wrenches] Protecting bonding wire on flat roofs

2012-12-19 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Jason, for a flat roof with any sort of equipment or obstructions on it, tripping hazards are to be expected and a person with access should be expected to watch out for them. However these days we have to go out of our way to protect against stu**dity (I mean those who are out of their element

Re: [RE-wrenches] Snow guards for pitched roof arrays?

2013-02-08 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Allen, What is the roofing material? S-5 has a product that works well with standing-seam. benn Sent from a 'smart' phone, with touch screen keys. Please excuse shortcuts and typos. On 2013-02-08, at 9:02 AM, Allen Frishman wrote: > Wrencher's, > I'm working on a project for a New construct

Re: [RE-wrenches] Modules approved for horizontal mounting

2013-04-19 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Carl, Each specific module install instruction guide should state the acceptable mounting attachment points. benn Sent from a 'smart' phone, with touch screen keys. Please excuse shortcuts and typos. On 2013-04-19, at 7:27 PM, Carl Adams wrote: > Hello wrenches, > > I have a request for qu

Re: [RE-wrenches] torque screwdrivers

2013-04-22 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Kris, I use a Mac (mechanic tools). It ranges up to 88 in-lb. let me know if you are interested in the model#. benn Sent from a 'smart' phone, with touch screen keys. Please excuse shortcuts and typos. On 2013-04-22, at 12:43 PM, Kristopher Schmid wrote: > Any of you folks using these? > A

Re: [RE-wrenches] Stainless Steel Cable Ties

2013-04-25 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Chris, If using black nylon ones then I'd add that you use the ones with the metal "catch tooth" (for lack of a better term) as opposed to the ones with a plastic catch tooth. There is a price and quality difference. I get my stainless steel ties from a local supplier. I'd have to check the

Re: [RE-wrenches] Stainless Steel Cable Ties

2013-04-25 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Andrew, Thanks for the feedback. What are the chances that you would know the mfgr of the ties? Long shot? Under an array(on a roof), yes the ties would be protected from direct sunlight, but exposed to higher than ambient temperatures. I have seen some brittle/broken nylon cable ties that w

Re: [RE-wrenches] Wasps

2013-05-07 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Jason's suggestion of hiring a pro is great. Just to throw another 'remedy' idea out there. If you are still looking to do it yourself. Vinegar would be effective. Not sure it's effect on mod back sheets thou? But it could be sprayed down with water after the chaos has calmed down. A few squi

[RE-wrenches] Consumption limiting meter

2013-05-11 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Wrenches, This is a request for a colleague. Anybody have suggestions where I could access a consumption limiting kWh meter with the following characteristics? > 120VAC 30A > Displays accumulated wattage and turns off power access at a preset point. > Resettable after 24 hours. It is for a camp

Re: [RE-wrenches] SE or SW

2013-05-14 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Jesse, A good decision can be based on, among other site/load specific details, the site's "micro-climate". Do they tend to have clear mornings and cloudier afternoons/evenings? ...or cloudy/foggy mornings and clearer afternoons/evenings? Maybe throw the different directions into PVWatts and s

Re: [RE-wrenches] SE or SW

2013-05-14 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
significant snow here in > northern Vermont and no one is surprised and disappointed with the poor > winter production. > > Dave Palumbo > > -Original Message- > From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org > [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org]

[RE-wrenches] Painting rails

2013-07-04 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Anyone successfully/properly painted silver/anodized rails to black, or black rails to silver to match module frames? We have a large project and the supplier hiccup'd the order (if you can believe it). The black rails are already installed and silver framed modules are what arrived. One of t

Re: [RE-wrenches] Painting rails

2013-07-05 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
ype of rail maybe you can talk them into > leaving it? > > > Best, > > August > > -Original Message- > From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org > [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Benn At > DayStarSolar > Sent: Thursday, J

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery vent distance

2013-07-10 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Jesse, Can't imagine there is a definitive answer. The further the better. Given what you are venting out of the battery box (very light hydrogen gas) I would at the very least make sure the battery vent is higher up than the furnace intake. Any other sort of barrier btwn the two vents, mounte

Re: [RE-wrenches] Tape on modules for wire management

2013-07-11 Thread Benn At DayStarSolar
Workmanship. Quality of work As the Cdn Electrical Code does, I'm sure your NEC has a mention that any work shall be done using acceptable means. "Canadian Electrical Code Rule 2-108 Quality of work The mechanical arrangement and execution of the work in connection with any electrical installa