[RE-wrenches] Sol-Ark audible noise

Would any of you that have installed the Sol-Ark inverters care to compare the audible noise level to other inverters such as the XW+ or the Radian? Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches

Re: [RE-wrenches] High Power Split phase inverter/chargers

What I've noticed is that most of the AIMS inverters are not UL, ETL, or otherwise third-party tested. And none seam to be designed for utility interactive operation. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar On 2/21/2020 1:37 PM, wes kennedy wrote: Hi Jeff, I think the biggest split phase

Re: [RE-wrenches] High Power Split phase inverter/chargers

Need to edit this post: The micro inverters are UL listed for grid connected operation. What I've noticed is that most of the AIMS inverters are not UL, ETL, or otherwise third-party tested. And none seam to be designed for utility interactive operation. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain

[RE-wrenches] AIMS inverter

don't set these inverters up in battery priority mode; it'll do nothing except ruin batteries. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email

Re: [RE-wrenches] OK, so what iwould happen if I do this...

ruin the XP inverter. It would work if you had a inverter with a bidirectional architecture like a Magnum, Outback, or Schneider inverter. But even then you'd have a hazardous situation because the cooling water is going to evaporate. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar On 2/29/2020 3:2

Re: [RE-wrenches] OK, so what would happen if I do this...

er 80 amps. That alone seems risky with a 100Ah battery. To add to the difficulty of this approach the battery charger would add a delay time in the control loop that would almost certainly result in an unstable system. Kent Osterberg On 3/3/2020 7:53 PM, Jay wrote: Or a charger such as Iot

Re: [RE-wrenches] OK, so what would happen if I do this...

Jay, My point is that even if the diversion load can handle all of the watts and the PLC is fast enough to react to changes in the ac voltage, the system will probably still be unstable because the battery charger is in the control loop. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar On 3/4/2020 9

Re: [RE-wrenches] VFX produces no output with no error

Hugh, I've seen these symptoms before. The problem was a failed output relay on the ac board. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar On 3/9/2020 9:25 AM, Hugh Piggott wrote: Hi Wrenches, I wonder if anyone can tell me what is happening here? I have an Outback VFX that I used for my own

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lithium Ion Batteries

Jay, Do you mean: use the Aux relay to activate the Remote Power Off? What is the low battery setting range for the Aux relay? I don't see it in the manual. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar On 3/22/2020 4:04 PM, Jay wrote: Ray, Have you heard bought about using the Aux relay to co

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lithium Ion Batteries

river. None-the-less, considering that Scneider Electric has made a lot of firmware changes to make the inverter compatible with lithium batteries, it is baffling that the low battery cutout hasn't been addressed. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar On 3/22/2020 6:18 PM, Jay wrote: Hi

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lithium Ion Batteries

Ray, I agree it is a kludgey way to accomplish a low battery cut off. But, it doesn't change the no load draw issue. No load draw is still a problem even if the normal low battery cut off adjustment has enough range. At least with most lithium batteries there is a secondary shutoff.

Re: [RE-wrenches] White wire for DC- after ground fault breaker

James, Here's the code reference: 2017 690.31(B)(1). Only solidly grounded PV system conductors shall be marked in accordance with 200.6 (white or gray). Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar On 6/13/2020 5:56 PM, James Jarvis wrote: Brian, thank you very much. With your hint of "

Re: [RE-wrenches] White wire for DC- after ground fault breaker

uctor would be redundant. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar On 6/15/2020 12:24 PM, William Miller wrote: Wrenches: Well now that the NFPA has acknowledged that GFDI protected circuits do not solidly ground the “grounded“ conductor, and we know they can’t be white in color, it begs the next que

Re: [RE-wrenches] Replacing AC relay in FX inverter

The sketch on the datasheet shows that the TM version doesn't have the solder tab on the connector. So, no not interchangeable. On 7/6/2020 7:02 PM, William Miller wrote: Friends: I have several FX inverters with smoked AC relays.  The relay is a Deltrol 375P.  The P stands for PC mount.  A

Re: [RE-wrenches] Target Fire

otection afterall, does it? "Know your job; then do the best job you know how to do." - Unknown Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. 70177 Ponderosa Lane Cove, Oregon 97824 ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address

Re: [RE-wrenches] Target Fire

k the expansion joint may be functional.  It should slip with modest hand pressure.  Wouldn't the installer notice if an expansion joint wouldn't work?  And then not use it.  it just wouldn't make any sense to install it in if it didn't work. Kent Richard L Ratico wrote: Kent,

Re: [RE-wrenches] Target Fire

or an undetected fault on a grounded conductor that disables the GFP.  Then a second fault, on an ungrounded conductor, isn't cleared.  There will be more fires.  And they can't lay all the blame on the contractor.  Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar Richard L Ratico wrote: Kent, I&

Re: [RE-wrenches] Target Fire

about ungrounded arrays; at least there could be an alarm (for someone to ignore) when any ground fault occurs. Or maybe I'll be a micro-inverter convert. Do you have any 600-volt dc-rated arc-fault sensing breakers? We need some, 15-amp ones should do for most strings. Kent Osterberg

Re: [RE-wrenches] Code "Authorities"

William, It is interesting that the 2008 code also has the "utility-interactive" typo.  None the less, it is appropriate to put photovoltaic circuits in metal conduit for off grid systems.  The risk to fire fighters is nearly the same in both cases. Kent Osterberg Blue Moun

Re: [RE-wrenches] Code "Authorities"

alify as a disconnect device because it takes a screw driver to open them before you can turn anything off. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar William Miller wrote: Kent: Interesting... What if the array is ground mount?  I prefer not to have metallic conduit underground.  Fortunately, for o

Re: [RE-wrenches] If anyone has input from an installer friend...

ouped with the service disconnect. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar craig gerald buttke wrote: installers, so as to not reivent the wheel. any experience with connecting a grid PV system on the load side of an automatic transfer switch?? fronius ig plus or sma's either one. the genset is

[RE-wrenches] HU361 Data Bulletin

The latest version is available at http://ecatalog.squared.com/pubs/Electrical Distribution/Safety Switches/Heavy Duty/3110DB0401.pdf ___ List

[RE-wrenches] CBI circuit breakers

Is it just me, or have other wrenches had problems with the CBI circuit breakers used in the Outback or Midnite combiner boxes? Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. http://www.bluemountainsolar.com/ ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List

Re: [RE-wrenches] CBI circuit breakers

entioned, it is important to take precautions to make sure that stranded wires are well tightened in these breakers.  I tighten, wiggle, re-tighten, and then check again later.  On systems where I've had breakers open, loose connections haven't been the issue. Kent Osterberg

Re: [RE-wrenches] CBI circuit breakers

possible but not likely that the problem is a fault in the array. I found that breaker in the "off" position. And that is strange, because it is really unlikely that anyone has been in the combiner box during the last year. Kent boB Gudgel wrote: Kent Osterberg wrote: All

Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Backfeed Battery Over-Charging

side.  The dc side also has a wider operating window too. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar Jeff Yago wrote: I have a question that may be one of those that everyone wants to know the answer but feel they are the only one that doesn't know the answer, or perhaps I am the only one that do

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sanyo HIP 200 BA19

Drake, Give Focused Energy a try. http://focusedenergy.net/ Drake Chamberlin wrote: Hello Wrenches, Does anyone know who has Sanyo HIP 200 BA19 modules? Thanks, Drake Chamberlin Athens Electric OH License 44810 CO License 3773 NABCEP TM  Certified PV Installer Office - 740-4

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sunny Island DC Load Centers, Sealed Batteries

SMA uses a breaker for the switch in Sunny Island.  Technically, it isn't a "disconnect" because it is part of equipment that may need to be removed for service. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc Walt Ratterman wrote: Hello Mick,   The way I unders

[RE-wrenches] Outback FNDC relay

Has anyone besides me had problems using the relay in the Outback FNDC?  I've had three different customers report that their generators failed to turn off. -- Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. www.bluemountainsolar.com ___ List spon

Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback FNDC relay, Flex Net Review

oes it by keeping track of the battery's SOC. William Miller wrote: Kent: >From the Flex Net DC manual, page 16:  "OutBack strongly recommends using the AGS function of the MATE to control a generator."   I assume from your post, you are using the Auto mode to have the rela

Re: [RE-wrenches] Canadian Solar modules

You only need to go to the Canadian Solar website to see that their product is made in China.  The use of the "Canadian" name and a Canadian incorporation is just smoke to give the illusion that it is a Canadian product. Allan Sindelar wrote: Conergy (not our favorite distribu

Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback FNDC relay

Wrenches, I see there are lots of negative feelings about the FNDC and about how complicated the Mate is in general.  I haven't seen many direct responses to the question.  Have any of you used the relay in the FNDC and had problems with it not turning the generator off? Kent Oste

Re: [RE-wrenches] AC Coupled Re-visited

frequency shift power control capability of the SB. You need to stack two SI inverters to get 240-vac, but that will allow you to have a 10-kW of grid backup power with up to 12-kW of solar.  If you need more, you can stack four of SI inverters. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Glenn

Re: [RE-wrenches] micro-hydro distribution problem

ggy in the group will make sharing a nightmare. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Nick Houser wrote: Esteemed fellow wrenches: May we put our heads together on today's problem in my terrain: How best to distribute and regulate the output of a single turbine from a convenient distri

Re: [RE-wrenches] generator

grid backup inverter connected to a portable generator. See. I don't have any good solutions. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar Larry Brown wrote: Dave, The original setup was an 1800 watt Homelite generator with two non GFI receptacles, no twist lock receptacle The client had

Re: [RE-wrenches] generator

Mike, If the neutral/ground bond is removed, any outlets on the generator should also be removed so it can't be used as a portable power supply. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar Mick Abraham wrote: As a check, Larry might disconnect the Generac machine from the Outback syste

Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator bonding discussion

mer wants to use portable generator.  Hence our catch 22. I like Alan's work around using the autotransformer as a generator balancer thereby forcing the neutral current to zero.  It is an expensive piece to add to a small generator.  But the Outback x-240 is only large enough to use for a small

Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator bonding discussion

Drake, NEC 250.142 discusses using the grounded conductor to ground equipment.  It doesn't apply to portable generators, except within the generator itself. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar Drake Chamberlin wrote: Kent, Thanks for helping sort out this issue.  At a minimum

Re: [RE-wrenches] Splice Caps

August, If these are equivalent to the T&B part, they are rated for solid or stranded wire.  Take a look at page B43 of http://www-public.tnb.com/contractor/docs/colorkeyed_spec.pdf Sorry, it's a 14 MB file. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar August Goers wrote: Chris - We

Re: [RE-wrenches] Strings and series of batteries

anced, some cell will sulfate more quickly than the others, then it is a down hill spiral with the current balance getting worse and worse.  With paralleled batteries keeping them equalized becomes critical and the more parallel paths there are - the harder it is to get them all equalized.

Re: [RE-wrenches] wind load

truss structures will handle it, and presumably that's what your structural engineer looked into.  At this point, I agree with William: it is time to go over the inspector's head with the argument that he doesn't have the authority to question the engineering. Kent Osterberg Blue

Re: [RE-wrenches] large array string sizing

icients.  While most manufacturers only publish one value, the numbers are similar for all poly or mono crystalline cells. Sounds like this module/inverter combination may not be a good match. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Jeff Yago wrote: We are completing an institutional solar projec

Re: [RE-wrenches] Sanyo 210N Hit Power Modules

Try Focused Energy http://focusedenergy.net/ Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Drake Chamberlin wrote: Does anyone have a source for Sanyo 210N Hit Power Modules? Thank you, Drake Chamberlin Athens Electric OH License 44810 CO License 3773 NABCEP TM  Certified PV

Re: [RE-wrenches] Voltage correction

HIP modules too, but if my memory is any good, Voc and Vmp changed about the same amount of V/°C. As far as how the power tolerance gets reflected into the values of voltage and current, I'm not certain.  Maybe the SANDIA database can give you the answer to that question too. Kent  

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Automatic Watering

o be removed to check specific gravity.  I wouldn't give them a favorable recommendation either. I wish that I could still get the units that were made by Wastermaster, but they are no longer available in the U.S. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc R Ray Walters wrote: I have to high

Re: [RE-wrenches] dual stacked inverters on 208V service

ed systems. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Nik Ponzio wrote: Hi Gang, I have a problem. We are installing a gridtie PV system with 2 battery-based inverters for 240V. The service coming in to the condo is 120/208 split-phase fed from 3-phase 208 in main building. The master inverter pic

Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback FM80's connected to Hub

o equalize (the MX 60 was supposed to do this to).  I don't know of any disadvantages, but the advantages are actually pretty minor. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar benn kilburn wrote: Wrenches, I have just set up an off grid system for a client and am now weighing out the p

Re: [RE-wrenches] Power Factor and Grid Tied PV

s.  The greedy-guts will probably ask for both and an allowance for lost kWh sales too. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Darryl Thayer wrote: I recently spoke with an inverter manufacture and I left with the following opinion. Normally the inverter takes the unity power factor load a

Re: [RE-wrenches] Water Pipes as Grounding Electrodes

nding electrode; unless local code or the inspector disallow it. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Ryan LeBlanc wrote: Thanks guys, Follow up: When providing a three-line drawing, in New York, on a new construction, few story building, which means they'll have a ground rod (hopefully) a

Re: [RE-wrenches] Power Factor and Grid Tied PV

responsible for the power quality, which is really poor in lots of locations. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Marco Mangelsdorf wrote: According to an article, written by a utility engineer on O'ahu, PF can be worsened at the site where a substantial PV system is located. If th

Re: [RE-wrenches] Square D DC disconnects

st SQ D is still certifying that it is suitable for that purpose.  Manufacturer certification for non-standard uses is not uncommon.  I'm suspicious that back in 2005 Some Manufacturer Asked for the special listing and perhaps even paid for it. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc Kirp

Re: [RE-wrenches] High amp charge to desulphate

ey'll need a long long time. Kent Osterberg Ron Young wrote: I have just acquired a 24v set of 1400a/h 2v cells that have been in storage without a charge for several years. They were connected up in a system that was never turned on (long story). I believe these batteries can be recovered

Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Power monitor software

't an endorsement, I haven't used it so I can't say anything good or bad about it. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. la...@starlightsolar.com wrote: Hello Wrenches, What options other than WinVerter are available for local data monitoring and display of an

Re: [RE-wrenches] Square D DC disconnects

means evaluated and approved by a testing lab such as UL. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. David Brearley wrote: Thanks, Bill. Glad to hear you think the HU series is still a good option. When I was making the rounds at SPI, I stopped by the Eaton booth and got the sense that

Re: [RE-wrenches] Square D DC disconnects

o the NEC that installers also need to know.  There's more than one book that the AHJ can use as a basis to deny approval. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. R Ray Walters wrote: I got into that one a few years ago with an inspector. He cited 110.2. "Approved" according

[RE-wrenches] Spam Complaints

Michael, The last few days I've been getting messages from my internet service provider of spam complaints being originated every time I post messages to re-wrenches. Am I the only one having this kind of problem? ___ List sponsored by Home Power ma

Re: [RE-wrenches] discharging Rolls batteries

tarts. If it was cold enough, the battery voltage could go below 1.75 volts and not start the generator. Fortunately the Flexnet DC can also watch the voltage. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine Li

Re: [RE-wrenches] discharging Rolls batteries

rate and you'll get the full amount.  Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Hugh wrote: Re: [RE-wrenches] discharging Rolls batteries hi We know that batteries deliver less amphours at low temperature and at high currents.  Volts drop quicker.  That's my star

[RE-wrenches] Capacity loss due to rapid discharge

off-grid homes the "lost" capacity is probably even less. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.o

Re: [RE-wrenches] Capacity loss due to rapid discharge

the energy efficiency is lower.  And the battery life is shortened by both high discharge rates and by deep discharges.  I certainly wouldn't want to treat a set of batteries the way that Doerffel and Sharkh did. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc.   Drake Chamberlin wrote: This is a

Re: [RE-wrenches] Capacity loss due to rapid discharge

id this test to a L-16 the total would probably be higher than 380 Ah, but you certainly would get less than 400 Ah. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc Drake Chamberlin wrote: Kent, At 12:34 PM 1/19/2010, you wrote: In the tests performed by Dennis Doerffel and Suleiman Abu Sharkh it

Re: [RE-wrenches] rebar v/s fiber

The need for rebar or not depends on how the pole is secured and on the shape of the footing. If you are installing a pipe in a deep narrow hole per most mount manufacturer's specifications, no rebar should be necessary. Anything else will certainly require rebar and per manufacturers' discla

[RE-wrenches] AFCI compatibility with modified waveform inverters

years ago Xantrex published a list of GFCIs that would work with their modified waveform inverters. I haven't seen any such info about the AFCI breakers. Thanks. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine L

Re: [RE-wrenches] DC wire sizing

310.16.  The two 1.25 factors equals 1.56. For normal operation, wires selected under this criteria are conservatively rated.  But it is also the objective of the NEC to design power systems in a manner that they will remain safe under abnormal circumstances. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc

Re: [RE-wrenches] [Fwd: Re: DC wire sizing]

g and trip at 130% of rating too.  Yet we know that it is not intended for continuous operation at 100% of rating.  Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. boB Gudgel wrote: Forwarding a message from Robin Gudgel... Robin Gudgel wrote: The CBI QY series of DC breakers have an arc

Re: [RE-wrenches] DC wire sizing

available, they are sure to be expensive and are likely to add $100s to the cost of a combiner box. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. R Ray Walters wrote: And just to be clear, when using these 100% duty rated breakers, you only have to oversize the cable by 125%, not 156%. Also,

Re: [RE-wrenches] DC wire sizing

heat. With the 2011 code just around the corner and no dc arc fault protection on the horizon, it looks like our industry is again going to have a code requirement that no one can fulfill.  Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. R Ray Walters wrote: I agree that we don't want to create the

Re: [RE-wrenches] DC wire sizing

. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. August Goers wrote: Hi All - It seems to me that there is indeed a rather simple set of calculations that we can run to determine costs and benefits of wire sizing. Solar Pro 3.2 (Feb/Mar 2010) has a good article on this on page 16. http

Re: [RE-wrenches] Et tu Honeywell?

that can't tell gearbox turbine from a one that doesn't have a gearbox? Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc.   Brian Teitelbaum wrote: Hi All,   Has anyone seen this “Honeywell” turbine?   http://www.earthtronics.com/honeywell.aspx   Interesting what

Re: [RE-wrenches] Et tu Honeywell?

rom a company that can't tell gearbox turbine from a one that doesn't have a gearbox? Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc.   Brian Teitelbaum wrote: Hi All,   Has anyone seen this “Honeywell” turbine?   http://www.earthtronics.com/honeywell.aspx   Interesting

Re: [RE-wrenches] Et tu Honeywell?

David, I was suspicious about the Windtronics claim that they use the Honeywell logo with permission so I check with Honeywell.  Turns out that Windtronics really is a Licensee of the Honeywell name for wind generators.  The web site I referenced in my earlier post is out of date. Kent

Re: [RE-wrenches] DC wire sizing

ollars per watt saved look even worse. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Nick Soleil wrote: I feel that it is best to maintain a 1.5% voltage drop on the AC and DC.  However, I was just sizing conductors for a 400 KW project, with the array 1000' from the main service panel.

Re: [RE-wrenches] DC wire sizing

s are out of line.  But even if lower by a factor of five, going to 4 AWG to get down to 1% loss doesn't pay off. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Bob-O Schultze wrote: Guys, Is it just me being dense or are none of you folks advocating for higher VD looking at the savings over tim

Re: [RE-wrenches] DC wire sizing

the other direction too.  Consider a 50-ft circuit; otherwise the same - operating at 330 volts and 10 amps.  14 AWG will meet the 1% target.  But I'd press to use at least 12 AWG, maybe even 10 with 0.3% voltage drop. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Bob-O Schultze wrote: Kent,

Re: [RE-wrenches] DC wire sizing

.  So just evaluating voltage drop doesn't give any indication about the heat load on the wire. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Bill Hoffer wrote: Ray I think that the point is not the cost, but what is good electrical design! Voltage Drop in a wire is still undesirable and equat

[RE-wrenches] DC wire sizing

nswer works even when you are considering a 400-kW PV array that is 1000 feet away. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.r

Re: [RE-wrenches] DC wire sizing

e 320 newly unemployed workers will be in the market for PV systems.  And how many more such jobs can be sent to China for short term corporate greed before no one in the U.S. will be able to buy one. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Bob-O Schultze wrote: Of course it's not a practica

Re: [RE-wrenches] DC wire sizing

6% loss is not economical. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Warren Lauzon wrote: I would never design such a system. That is what MPPT controllers are for. 10 years ago we did not have that choice, but now we do, so there is no reason at all to design a 40

Re: [RE-wrenches] DC wire sizing

costs and benefits. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Nick Soleil wrote: I haven't checked my e-mail for days, but have to add to this topic.     Hi Kent: In a few isolated situations, a cost analysis may be done to justify not designing at 1-2% DC Voltage drops, but for most systems

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz Sub Pump

so they can be run on a generator or solar system.  To turn them off, a 2-gallon pressure tank with pressure switch (adjusted to operate at 10 psi) works great if the PV array is near the pumping system.  Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Allan Sindelar wrote: Jeff, What are the bran

Re: [RE-wrenches] Lorentz Sub Pump

David, Sq D doesn't have them UL listed for it but they self certify the 10 to 30 amp 2-pole breakers for 125 volts dc.  Problem is: if you need a UL listing, you are stuck at 48 volts. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. David Katz wrote: Allan, Are you running 100+ vol

Re: [RE-wrenches] Ideal platform for flooded type batteries: opinions wanted

resin or heavy polyethylene pond liner on the bottom and up the sides 4 to 6 inches. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar Mick Abraham wrote: Hi, Mechanix~ My "customer du monde" has a dirt floor in the battery space but he's willing to build something on which we could place

Re: [RE-wrenches] Ideal platform for flooded type batteries: opinions wanted

Ray, I haven't installed any HUP batteries in several years so my info may be out of date but the steel case on the older HUP batteries had drain holes on the bottom. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. R Ray Walters wrote: I haven't seen a problem with concrete, but wood

Re: [RE-wrenches] current carrying conductor

Marco, Take a look at 2008 NEC 310.15(4)(a).  The neutral conductor isn't counted for the purpose of NEC 310.15(B)(2)(a) when it is part of a circuit where it only carries the unbalanced current. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar Marco Mangelsdorf wrote: Thank

Re: [RE-wrenches] var/ power factor

of VAR and Watts.  PF = W/VA = W/sqrt(W^2+VAR^2).  Reduce W without changing VAR and the power factor goes down, possibly even to zero. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar toddc...@finestplanet.com wrote: I have a question about my personal home system. It is an Outback battery based grid tie.

[RE-wrenches] Lorentz Pumps

tical failure for the same customer. The pump is in a deep well that it is unlikely to over pump and there is a low-water sensor too. For those of you that have installed these pumps, what types of problems have you observed? How long are these pumps lasting? Thanks any replies. Kent Osterberg

Re: [RE-wrenches] Grundfos SQ FLEX AC/DC auto switching

Kirpal, None of the SQFlex equipment is UL listed.  You may find that your AHJ won't approve any of the SQFlex controls and possibly not even the pump. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar Kirpal Khalsa wrote: Hi Folks.I am working on putting together a domestic water pumping s

Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase System Labeling

or of the first microinverter in a branch circuit is suitable as a disconnecting means once the AC branch circuit breaker in the load center has been opened." Sorry, but that's just not a clear a set of instructions yet.  Can we open these connectors under load or are we never supposed to op

Re: [RE-wrenches] Enphase System Labeling

PV module still says don't open under load.  Fortunately that isn't a serious problem because the dc current should be zero if the ac power is disconnected.  But that is ignoring the possibility of a dc short circuit in the inverter. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar Marv Dargatz

Re: [RE-wrenches] Arc fault questions.

I recently talked to the tech support folks at Magnum about AFCI breakers and they didn't know of a single one that would work with modified square wave inverters.  The AFCI requirement for all new residential construction may finally be the death of modified square wave inverters. 

Re: [RE-wrenches] Flashed Footing Requirements

tal rarely coincides with the rafter or truss location. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. Drake Chamberlin wrote: At 01:16 PM 6/24/2010, you wrote:   Oregon rebate programs (where we are based) are requiring all roof penetrations/attachments to be flashed. What do you use to flash m

Re: [RE-wrenches] Trojan L16 2v vs 6v

ly go below 50% DOD.  Looking at this data makes me question that practice.  It also makes me wonder about the seven-year warranty.  Even with 20% daily discharge it looks like the batteries should be spent in about four years.  Any suggestions on how to get seven years of service from a set of L-16s?

Re: [RE-wrenches] Battery Boxes?

August, You might also consider the Contico Pro Tuff Bin.  $85 from Grainger. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1RG71 It also holds four L-16 batteries.  You do have to keep the cables short and low though. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar Joel Davidson wrote: Hi

Re: [RE-wrenches] Imbalance In Multiple String Charging Current

. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar Mark Frye wrote: Imbalance In Multiple String Charging Current Folks, I have three strings of batteries cabled in parallel to a common buss bar. During charging, one string takes significantly less current than the others. What can I

Re: [RE-wrenches] calculating DC voltage drop

/watt.  If you can buy and install PV for much less than that, how can you justify such little gain from the extra wire cost?  2 or 3 AWG may be worth it, but it sure doesn't look like 1 AWG is a smart choice. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar Dana wrote: Ray,   The

Re: [RE-wrenches] NEC 480 - battery enclosure question

ilation to keep the H2 levels below the explosive threshold. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. www.bluemountainsolar.com t: 541-568-4882 On 12/14/2011 4:46 PM, d...@foxfire-energy.com wrote: I've mentioned it in the past, and got the impression it went over like a fart in church

Re: [RE-wrenches] Vent Pipes under an array?

Here, by code, vents must extend 12" above the roof line. It's a bad idea to cover them with PV modules. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. www.bluemountainsolar.com t: 541-568-4882 On 12/15/2011 11:31 AM, Allen Frishman wrote: Wrenchers, My local JHA has recently decided

Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Breaker Problem

of the lug and breaker body with JB weld. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. www.bluemountainsolar.com t: 541-568-4882 On 12/16/2011 9:14 PM, Ray Walters wrote: Hi Folks; Anybody else having trouble with the small Outback DC breakers snapping posts off? I just took over a GTB job from anothe

Re: [RE-wrenches] battery venting

n't be problem, but what happens when the power vent fails? It will fail. I've seen the bearings wear out on one and another that failed when insects got into the blades and gummed it up to the point that the motor stalled. Kent Osterberg Blue Mountain Solar, Inc. www.bluemountainsolar

Re: [RE-wrenches] DC to AC derate

Ray, The balancing transformer isn't allowed with the GVFX inverters. In a dual FX inverter system, using the balancing transformer or not using it is nearly a wash. I think you save 15 watts when the inverter is asleep but the transformer losses are 10 or 12 watts. Kent Osterberg

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