[RE-wrenches] MC3 Extensions

Wrenches,I am looking for a source for some MC3 extension cables. 50' and 100' lengths.Please reply off list.Thanks,benn DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. www.daystarsolar.ca780-906-7807 Certified Construction Electrician Solar Photovoltaic Systems CertifiedCertificate # 0007SHAVE A SUNNY DAY

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

If you have to go down this road of not using flashed penetrations, be very diligent. Dan makes a couple of great pointsŠ make sure the sealant you use is compatible (and a superior product) for the roof type you are working on, don't over tighten as that will just damage the shingle further and d

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

Mark, You wrote, "If you put the lag anywhere near the middle of the rafter it won't split. If it splits, it must be some cheap stuff from Home Depot. Only an engineer with no practical experience would insist on a pilot hole and the resulting reduction in holding strength." Drilling a properly si

Re: [RE-wrenches] Aluminum Roof shingles flashing

James, Can you better describe the aluminum shingles? Are they flat, or curved, or…? I'm looking at a project that is using these…metrotile_roman.cfm Conergy is recommending their roman tile roof hook that mounts to the roof deck and curves out

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

Chris, I'm pretty sure that what David means by "blocking" is if the roof has rafters (peak to eave) rather than purlins (horizontal) then, IF you can access the underside of the roof, you properly install 'blocking' (2x4, 2x6, 2x8) against the underside of the roof sheathing, perpendicular to the

[RE-wrenches] roof attachment in tile roof

Wrenches, I don't see a lot of tile roof in this area but I'm working on a project (new construction) and the roofing will be metal roof tile, see here.Šmetrotile_roman.cfm . Recommendations I've received for attaching the racking include a tile ho

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

e of the below. Use stanchions, also known as power posts. Flash them > properly, just like a roof vent, only they will be perpindicular to the roof > surface, not vertical. > > William Miller > > > > At 06:40 AM 7/13/2012, benn kilburn wrote: > > > Hanger

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

William, "If we are going to do solar right, we need to be electricians and roofers." This is so true, I fully agree. It is really to bad that many PV installers don't see it this way. I like that I will have the opportunity to work on a new roof type, and I am grateful that the Wrenches are avai

Re: [RE-wrenches] Grounding - Exposed Metal Part

Mark, Good question... Whether or not to bond metal pieces in contact with other "already bonded" metal pieces??? Unless i'm reading it wrong, if your T/F question is false, then you would need to bond each/every L-foot that a mounting rail is bolted to. No? benn DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. w

[RE-wrenches] Enphase/Conergy Suntop and Weeb

Wrenches, Have any of you noticed that when using Enphase inverters on the conergy suntop rails and using weeb clips, that the inverters can only be installed facing in one direction in regards to the rails? Otherwise there is only contact between 3 of the 4 teeth on the weeb clip. It seems to me

Re: [RE-wrenches] S5! question

Jay, It should go without saying, but don't forget a dab of thread lube on all the set screws, especially if you are using an impact or drill on them. I've had several S5! set screws gall when thread lube was forgotten. benn DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. www.daystarsolar.ca * Ph: 780-906-7807 Co

[RE-wrenches] Metal roof panel attachment -was S5! question

Following Jay's inquiry about S5! Attachments…… I'm pretty sure I recall reading in S5!'s literature something along the lines that "they" ASSUME that the metal panels are properly attached to the building's structure, or something to that effect. How does one ACTUALLY determine if the 'pans' or

Re: [RE-wrenches] Reducing Glare from Solar Modules

Sequoya/William, Is the neighbour/neighbourhood simply complaining to the system owner, or are they formally complaining to the city/town? I would suggest that it should be up to the complainant to perform the study that proves that glare is an issue. Would this not be the case? I guess each juri

[RE-wrenches] Ilsco SGB bonding lug

Wrenches, What is your take on this product from Ilsco? It appears to be a good option for bonding module frames and has been suggested by a distributor for bonding rails as well…. But industry best practice has steered us away from using aluminum lugs in favour of tin-plated copper lugs. SGB S

Re: [RE-wrenches] Ilsco SGB bonding lug

Thanks for the feedback Wrenches, lots of interesting comments, However I'm still wonderingŠ.. How does one confirm that it is specifically approved for outdoor use? Other than assuming it is implied (because it is 'marketed' as a solar lug). As far as I can tell UL 467 does not imply "outdoor rat

Re: [RE-wrenches] Ilsco SGB bonding lug

ur point that it is not explicitly stated for outdoor usehowever being marketed for use with solar panels also seems to imply rather obviously that it is outdoor rated.in my unofficial opinion. -- Sunny Regards, Kirpal Khalsa NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer On Mon, Aug 27, 2012 at 4

Re: [RE-wrenches] Ballasted Roof Racking Recommendations?

Ray, Are those the BIPV ones? Can you provide a model or a link? Thanks, Benn DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. www.daystarsolar.ca * Ph: 780-906-7807 Construction Electrician Solar Photovoltaic Systems Certified Certificate # 0007S HAVE A SUNNY DAY On 31/08/12 9:43 PM, "R Ray Walters" wrote: Sun

Re: [RE-wrenches] Short Circuit Cell Damage

Mark, Shorting the string should not be an issue. Unless you work at night, obviously there will be an arc when you cut the jumper, so remember to cover the whole string with an opaque covering beforehandŠ I think I remember reading that somewhere?!?! Or just be careful, try to do it when the irrad

Re: [RE-wrenches] GE PV-055-GCA

Nick, It was several years ago (2006-08) but I've installed these, and had to deal with a ground fault issue as well. In my case the fault was discovered while testing string voltages prior to turning the system on. The roofer had already completed installing all the concrete tiles, so there was n

Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase and Romex

Glenn/Jason, So you wouldn't use romex to feed an exterior outlet on an outside wall, or to any outside lights??? Canadian Electrical Code's (CE Code) definitions… wet location -a location in which liquids may drip, splash, or flow on or against electrical equipment. Damp location –an exterior or

Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase and Romex

on rated splices and connections inside roof mounted junction boxes by some inspectors. Using the same logic, NM cable would not be acceptable. Nonetheless, I think you are correct and on the right track, and I'm going to give it a whirl. Jason Szumlanski Fafco Solar On Fri, Oct 26, 2012

[RE-wrenches] Protecting/Cleaning un-connected MC Connectors

Wrenches, Considering the (sometimes redundant) details that some areas of module and micro-inverter install manuals describe, I have never read mention of paying attention of the condition of the (connector type) regarding moisture or dirt/dust prior to connecting. Perhaps this just gets thrown in

[RE-wrenches] GVFX AC in voltage fluctuation error

Wrenches,Has anyone dealt with an issue with the Outback GVFX inverters where the Mate (status>fx>meter) will show the "AC in voltage" rising and falling between ~121V and 132V while a mulit-meter held on the inverter terminals shows the voltage is actually holding steady? When the mate/inverte

Re: [RE-wrenches] bubbling Sanyo modules

Doug,While the module may be past its workmanship warranty period, if the defect affects the module's power output then i would argue that the power output warranty should cover it. That warranty should be good for 25yrs.Anyone care to comment on that reasoning? benn DayStar Renewable Ene

Re: [RE-wrenches] Pilot Hole Template

Jesse,Are the 2x6s the 'beams' you are referring to or are the 2x6s supported by the beams you want to attach to?I think i realized what you were thinking with the QM flashing and EMT. ...stick a ~1/2" EMT piece in the QM block and hold it perpendicular to the roof. Is that right? You would s

Re: [RE-wrenches] Transformer or not?

Hilton,I installed two SMA's (SB6000U and SWR1800U) outside on a roof about 6 years ago, with no reported issues yet, although i am due to check up on these. We see at least -35C (-31F) each winter. SMA stated that because they were installed in an environment that could reach outside thei

Re: [RE-wrenches] Awkward Mid-clamps & jigs for installing or removing modules?

William,Your helper is suggesting using 4 end-clamps per module, is that right? Sounds like a good concept in some regards but is it worth using the extra clamps (almost twice as many)as well, this would eliminate the possibility of WEEB type module frame bonding, as they only work with mid-cl

Re: [RE-wrenches] Are PV Systems Mechanical Equipment?

Jason, Mechanical generally describes 'moving parts'. Is there something in the FBC definitions that would cut PV some slack based on this? Does it define 'mechanical'? Unless I guess in the case of adjustable or tracker arrays, which doesn't sound like your issue. benn Sent from a 'smart' ph

[RE-wrenches] Bluetooth connection to Huawei inverter

. Their tech support seems willing and somewhat helpful but while other calls from site wrk fine talking to them is a terrible connection and then there is a bit of a language barrier as well. Benn Kilburn SkyFire Energy 780-906-7807 ___ List sponsored by

Re: [RE-wrenches] Bluetooth connection to Huawei inverter

into the inverter with the charging cord. My apprentice had a newer Google pixel phone which we were able to connect successfully. However, there was still A couple of times where his connection was intermittent like mine. They have not yet gotten back to me on that issue. Benn Kilburn SkyFire

Re: [RE-wrenches] Cedar Shake roofs

with. High spots on some shakes will require aggressive sanding (disc) and/or a chisel. ANY moisture will make the roof VERY slippery, just a heads up. Benn Kilburn SkyFire Energy 780-906-7807 > On Oct 20, 2020, at 5:24 AM, Howie Michaelson > wrote: > > Hi all, > Does

Re: [RE-wrenches] factory module damage, has anyone seen this?

If they say it is within spec, and can show you paperwork showing that it is, then you got what you ordered. Perhaps it is “pre-flexed” for loading. Those are pretty tall/long mods. Benn Kilburn SkyFire Energy 780-906-7807 > On Nov 4, 2020, at 2:45 PM, Dana Orzel wrote: > > If

Re: [RE-wrenches] factory module damage, has anyone seen this?

Jay, If they say it is “within tolerance”, do they have “specs” to show that? And if it is, and they do then is it causing you grief (making adjoining mods look flush)? Benn Kilburn SkyFire Energy 780-906-7807 > On Nov 5, 2020, at 11:53 AM, Jay wrote: > > I wanted to give a fin

Re: [RE-wrenches] grid-tie solar behind a generator

know the inverters had shut off... so I ran a low voltage line to a LED light in their kitchen area that would come on upon loss of grid and would go out when the inverters were manually reset. Benn Kilburn SkyFire Energy 780-906-7807 > On Feb 25, 2021, at 6:40 AM, Nik Ponzio, Building Ene

Re: [RE-wrenches] Protecting New Roofing during Summer

Jeremy, I think the strap-on ones you’re referring too are Korkers (sp?). They have a very strong Velcro bottom that you can change out from foam, a cleat (with little metal spikes that’s great for cedar or ice, and maybe a felt? Yes, they are kind of big and klunky. Benn Kilburn SkyFire

Re: [RE-wrenches] Odd inspection procedure

one? Cheers, Benn Kilburn SkyFire Energy 780-906-7807 > On Mar 31, 2021, at 10:48 AM, William Miller wrote: > > Friends: > > We just finished a grid-tied project that included a pretty complicated > service upgrade. The project is in Monterey County, California. The

Re: [RE-wrenches] Over-torquing Module Clamps?

wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/r

Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase Envoy CR2032 battery

;t work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update partic

Re: [RE-wrenches] ballasted ground mounts residential scale

mail address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > http://lists.re-wren

Re: [RE-wrenches] ballasted ground mounts residential scale

assembly and mounting modules, issues with the mod mud/end clamps. I’m not completely against giving it another try, but not without reviewing the notes and photos from the last ones and confirming the issues have been addressed. Regards, Benn On Mon, Jan 3, 2022 at 8:22 AM Benn Kilburn wrote

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lithium Ion tool batteries

ing. When one doesn't work, try the > other: > https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/ > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out

Re: [RE-wrenches] Metal shingles

Jesse, For a particular shingle, it should be held down at the shingles upper and lower overlap. remove all the screws from that particular shingle, a bit wider and then possibly the row above it as well to allow for some flexibility. The shingle should just wiggle in and out of place. If this ro

Re: [RE-wrenches] Metal shingles

Have any of you tried these…Tile Roof Flashing- Solar Flashings- Aluminum Flashings I haven't, yet. Benn DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. www.daystarsolar.ca 780-906-7807 Construction Electrician Solar PV Systems Certified Cer

[RE-wrenches] Sparq Micro-Inverters

Hey Wrenches, Do any of you have any experience with Sparq micro-inverters? SPARQ Systems Inc. Any feedback? I have installed one system so far using them, but the (new construction) home will not have internet access for several months, so remote monitoring is not poss

Re: [RE-wrenches] Two Mates

If you want to utilize a mate at the equipment and one 300' away why not just have a mate in both locations and always keep the remote one plugged in, unless you are in front of the equipment, then just plug that one in. When you turn off the lights to leave just make sure you plug the remote mate

Re: [RE-wrenches] Teck 90 cable

Hilton, I can't speak to the specific NEC rules but my experience here (canadian electrical code) for PV or other electrical work has been that if metallic conduit in needed unless the requirement is specific for ridged metal conduit, then teck cable is fine. My bet is that you are safe, but why d

Re: [RE-wrenches] Cleaning Modules

Corey, If rain water isn't doing good enough, which it usually does depending on angle and other factorsŠ.. -pick up a window washing squeegee (like at a gas station) that you can add a longer, maybe telescopic handle. That works great. -Just use water, it works fine. There is no need for additi

Re: [RE-wrenches] ground mount options?

Jesse, Schletter PV Max is a great ground mount system. Requires concrete footers/pads. when it comes to putting up the rack, it assembles very quickly. And two guys can easily mount 24 mods in under an hour. (just mounting, not wiring) Benn DayStar Renewable Energy Inc. www.daystarsolar.ca 78

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

Carl, I realized mis-read/answered your question. I was having a couple conversations yesterday about clamping modules on the short side and it must have still been on my mind when I read your question. Either way the answer should still be on the specific module's spec sheet or most definitely i

[RE-wrenches] Stainless Steel Cable Ties

Wrenches, I searched the archives, but came up with nothing on thisŠ. I have found a good supplier for reasonably priced stainless steel cable ties and have been using them in place of black nylon cable ties for supporting cables, PV wires and micro-inverter wires to the mounting rails and such.

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