[RE-wrenches] phase issues with SB8000US

Wrenchers, We installed our first SunnyBoy 8000 this month. The customer (happens to be electrical engineer) is complaining that their computer UPS systems are tripping whenever the air conditioner (with 120V fan) comes on. This didn't happen before commissioning the solar system and it doesn't ha

[RE-wrenches] we have lost a good man

The industry has lost a pioneer and the world has lost a really decent human. I don't know any details yet but Jim Grundy of Elemental Energy died unexpectedly yesterday. I didn't know him well but I liked everything I knew about him. He was honest and kind and he did good work. He truly was an e

Re: [RE-wrenches] Working on metal roofs.

Here's a product that I just learned about. The roofers we work with love these. I haven't bought a set yet but it's on the list... http://www.metalplusllc.com/ ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org O

[RE-wrenches] SolarWorld Poly

Esteemed Wrenches, I have been using a lot of SolarWorld mono-crystalline modules this year and I am quite happy with the product. This week we installed our first SolarWorld poly-crystalline array. I was surprised at how different the two modules are. The glass on the poly module is highly reflec

Re: [RE-wrenches] SolarWorld Poly

to the " cheaper reflective glass on all their new > models. Cutting cost in one place and adding in another! Over all thouh a > good solid module. > > Bill > > On Wed, Jun 22, 2011 at 1:45 PM, Nik Ponzio > wrote: > >> Esteemed Wrenches, >> >> I have b

[RE-wrenches] FINALLY! A flashed solar thermal penetration option

We have been fabricating our own flashings recently but I just came across this product: http://www.zillarac.com/Products/Mounting/Roof/NEWThermalFlashing.aspx Looks good! I haven't seen it in person but I did see a sample of their PV attachment flashing assembly (similar to Quickmount) and it lo

[RE-wrenches] best method for covering solar thermal collectors?

Hi Wrenchers, What have you found to be the best way to cover flat-plate collectors? I have several systems that need to be filled about 2 months before occupancy. The Heliodyne collectors I used for this project do not have a protective film like the Viessmann collectors. Any feedback is appreci

Re: [RE-wrenches] 90 degree wire bends

I had an off-grid customer report that their huge well pump surge caused an insulation melt-down at a tight bend in the wire. On Wed, Nov 16, 2011 at 11:01 PM, Darryl Thayer wrote: > I have seen the lightening damage at tight bends, but in my electrical > career of 60+ years I have not seen any

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

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 pickups up L1 but the slave inverter will not sync. What am I missing?

Re: [RE-wrenches] Best angle - direct grid tie

Drake, I just noticed a new feature with the Pathfinder Assistant called the "Optimal Azimuth and Tilt Tool." Find it on the Tools menu. I don't believe this function accounts for snow cover but pretty handy nonetheless. Best regards, Nik From: "Dra

[RE-wrenches] copper weatherhead?

Wrenches, We have a project coming up that includes penetrating a copper roof with our PV conductors. What are your preferred methods for penetrating and flashing the conduit (going into a gable wall is not an option.) Thanks in advance. Best regards, Nik -- Nicholas Ponzio Building Energy 15

Re: [RE-wrenches] solar hot water penetration flashing

This is an on-going problem, apparently. We were getting the coolie cap fittings from EFI but they got out of the solar business recently. Does anyone have a source for these now? Thanks in advance. -- Nicholas Ponzio NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer Building Energy 1570 South Brownell

[RE-wrenches] AC Modules ready for primetime?

I have a prospective customer requesting AC modules for a commercial job. What is currently available? Thanks in advance. Nik ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-

[RE-wrenches] power washers

Hey Gang, What does the hivemind think about using a pressure washer on solar PV modules? Any experience or insights would be appreciated. Cheers, Nik ___ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options &

[RE-wrenches] roof rakes

Does anyone have a particular roof rake to recommend for clearing snow off low roofs and ground-mount arrays? Plastic, poly, squeegee So many choices! -- Nicholas Ponzio Building Energy 1570 South Brownell Road Williston, VT 05495 802-859-3384 ext.15 (office) 802-658-3982 (fax) 802-318-4783 (

Re: [RE-wrenches] Wireless AC relay

Please post it for the rest of us too! -- Nicholas Ponzio Building Energy 1570 South Brownell Road Williston, VT 05495 802-859-3384 ext.15 (office) 802-658-3982 (fax) 802-318-4783 (cell) http://www.BuildingEnergyVT.com On Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 6:37 AM, Chris Mason wrote: > Jay, > I have an excel

[RE-wrenches] backup without batteries

Forgive my senility. I recently read somewhere about development of grid-tie inverters without batteries that offer emergency power via a single 120V receptacle during grid outage (and sun.) Anyone seen anything on these? The brands mentioned were SMA & Mitsubishi. Thanks in advance. -- Nicholas

[RE-wrenches] UL warns of counterfeit UL Mark on photovoltaic panels

http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/newsroom/publicnotices/detail/index.jsp?cpath=/global/eng/pages/newsroom/publicnotices/detail/data/ul-warns-of-counterfeit-ul-mark-on-photovoltaic_2013041507.xml UL warns of counterfeit UL Mark on photovoltaic panels (Release 13PN-20) *NORTHBROOK, IL - April

[RE-wrenches] SunEdison Monitoring Echosolar.com

party (4th party?) platform that can make use of the existing network equipment? Thanks for any help! -- Nik Ponzio Building Energy 1570 South Brownell Road Williston, VT 05495 802-859-3384 ext.115 http://www.BuildingEnergyVT.com "Building Solutions for a Sustainable Future" Heat Pump

[RE-wrenches] rain guard

s but they all have a small gap between top of solar module and bottom of the snow rail. Any suggestions? -- Nik Ponzio Building Energy 1570 South Brownell Road Williston, VT 05495 802-859-3384 ext.115 http://www.BuildingEnergyVT.com ___ List sponsor

[RE-wrenches] Squirrel Guards for Solarworld 2.0 Frames

://solatrim.com/ -- Nik Ponzio Building Energy 1570 South Brownell Road Williston, VT 05495 802-859-3384 ext.115 http://www.BuildingEnergyVT.com ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address

Re: [RE-wrenches] old sanyos failing Iso test

We have a few systems from same period that are showing delamination. I just learned about a pending class action lawsuit: https://www.classaction.org/news/sanyo-panasonic-hit-with-class-action-lawsuit-over-allegedly-defective-solar-panels -- Nik Ponzio Building Energy 1570 South Brownell Road

[RE-wrenches] 'Tis the Season for Warranty Claims

Just learned for a diode failure in a SolarWorld SW50 (circa 2011.) Anybody else seeing this? Any luck with warranty claims? -- Nik Ponzio Building Energy 1570 South Brownell Road Williston, VT 05495 office: 802-859-3384 ext.115 http://www.BuildingEnergyVT.com <http://www.buildingenergyvt.

[RE-wrenches] copper roof

Dear Wrenches, We installed a PV system on a copper roof several years ago. We used brass S5!-U clamps on standing seam and aluminum racking. We are now noticing some discoloration at the drip-line below the modules. See photos here: https://picasaweb.google.com/109634809794570027207/CopperRoof?au

[RE-wrenches] remember the pirate solar inverter?

Question for the old timers out there: What was very early micro inverter called that was designed to plug directly into the wall? It had DC input for single solar panel and the output was a live 120V male plug. On a related note, is there anything like the SMA Secure Power Supply inverters that w

Re: [RE-wrenches] remember the pirate solar inverter?

324-9747 www.four-winds-energy.com > > Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, > a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. > > > > On 9/17/2015 6:31 PM, Nik Ponzio, Building Energy wrote: > > Question for the old timers out there: What wa

[RE-wrenches] Ballasted Roof Racking?

Wrenchers, Ironridge just pulled plug on their BRM. What are people specifying for small (<15kW) ballasted roof mount racking for PV? Thanks in advance. ___ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change list

[RE-wrenches] Looking for wrench in Teaneck NJ

A have a family friend interested in going solar in 2017. Please contact me offlist if you serve northern NJ or have a recommendation. Thanks -- Nik Ponzio Building Energy 1570 South Brownell Road Williston, VT 05495 802-859-3384 ext. 115 http://www.buildingenergyvt.com

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

this approach? Any suggestions would be appreciated. -- Nik Ponzio Building Energy 1570 South Brownell Road Williston, VT 05495 direct: 802-318-7003 npon...@buildingenergyus.com http://www.BuildingEnergyVT.com <https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/058e994a3bba9674653a69dd2a6976e09

[RE-wrenches] SHW?

Anyone on here still doing solar hot water? We have an orphaned system in Rutland County, Vermont that needs service. Referrals appreciated. -- Nik Ponzio Building Energy http://www.BuildingEnergyVT.com <https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/2d3120228a908ac88d62dc9b12e67aba68df018d?url=http%3A

[RE-wrenches] in search of 31" wide solar panel

to a 40" wide panel. Ideally black-on-white, but this is less critical than dimensions. Any suggestions? Please respond off-list. -- Nik Ponzio Building Energy 1570 South Brownell Road Williston, VT 05495 direct: 802-318-7003 npon...@buildingenergyus.com http://www.BuildingEnergyVT.

[RE-wrenches] Installers in Nazareth, PA?

My cousin lives in Nazareth, PA and is ready to go solar. Any reputable installers serve that area? Thanks in advance, Nik -- Nicholas Ponzio Building Energy 1570 South Brownell Road Williston, VT 05495 npon...@buildingenergyus.com http://www.BuildingEnergyVT.com "Building Solutions for a Su