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THE problem with screws through the ribs/ridges is that the installer can over-torque the screw and dent the tin on the ridge. Then you have a small but real channel of water into the structure. I met a fellow from Australia once who said that there, all metal roofing was installed with the...

I only learned the concept recently, here as a matter of fact. 1) We all know that higher voltage has two benefits, smaller conductors and lower losses. BUT--- 2) Since the inverters can digest a wide variety of voltages, within their design tolerances, you can accept a voltage drop in the DC...

Looking at the EG4 15kw, but applies to just about any AIO system or generator input etc. Why are 2 or 3 pole generator transfer switches so damned expensive? I mean, looking at the GE TC10324R -- looks like Home Depot has best price of around $650. But its a nice heavy box with three sets of...

Actually while hiking at today at 9,900 ft I had an epiphany. My plan has a rather glaring/stupid hole. That accessory ground rod that I dreamt up for good measure will nicely link the inverter ground to the premises ground, where ever that is (likely about 200 ft away at the first main panel)...

Based on concerns raised here about people using a patch cord or outlet with delete ground, I am thinking of doing the following: The current generator sits in a covered lean-to. The 200A transfer switch is outside, on the meter pole after the meter and a 200A breaker. I do not know if the...

You are right, doesn't. Listen, you all that are willing to have the ground disconnected -- some of us far less experienced guys take it as gospel that every circuit ought to have a ground. I am just trying to figure out in my mind where an inspector would have a problem. Frankly, you have...

I kept re-reading this though. Lets say I have a L fault somewhere between the transfer switch and and its NOT faulted to neutral, but to something else and it finds an alternate path back to the main panel G and then "rejoins" the N wire where it is bonded to G. Now current out on L1 and L2...

Thank you zanydroid for your actual explanations, as opposed to condescension. Interestingly, I knew that. But I was not computing. I have retrofitted several old houses that lack ground wires with GFCI breakers through the years. A real nice feature to help with old house wiring. In one...

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Does not appear to be an option. Maybe DyMailbox can comment. I do not yet have my truck, but the GFI seems to be pretty integrated into the inverter. And getting power upstream exposes the issue of violating a brand new $70,000 truck wiring while still under warranty. As for simply not...

Probably not exactly a "beginner" questions, but seems the generator forum is pretty quiet, and this question involved solar as well. Ford Lightning owners have been challenged using their massive battery pack for input into backup power in settings via transfer switches, as well as using the...

PVWatts has information about cloud cover. Morning clouds in many locations occur and then burn off in the afternoon. Just a guess on my part, but valid I think.

So water stores about 5x more heat per LB than sand. And dry sand is less dense than water. So you need a lot more space to store much heat with sand. You can buy a ready made hot water storage tank, already insulated -- its called an electric water heater. Those elements work AC and DC...

I *think* when you start pricing a battery bank capable of firing that kiln, you will decide against it. Would make a lot more sense to use the grid and time your use of electricity to get better rates. Agree with 400 that until you know what that kiln draws, you cannot begin this process.

Ugh.. Found this very well written bit out there with regards to Voc versus Vmp Photovoltaic panels are usually characterised by their short circuit current (Isc) and their open circuit voltage (Voc). It is important to make sure that the combined open circuit voltage (Voc) of a PV panel or...

OK, I've been reading. Voc is open, so larger than Vmp, where the mp stands for maximal production. With the above panels, plugged into a Midnight Solar calculator, I get a VOC at -30C/-22F of 42.1V (547V for 13 panels, within capacity of EG4) and a Vmp of 38.4. But how is Vmp measured...

OK, next question then. This whole business of volt rising with cold temps. This occurs, even if the amps are down, due to poor angles, clouds?

Sonic, it seems you have a good grasp of the concepts. You could consider panels on the east and west sides. Panels are cheap. And in Florida, you are consuming power all day. Plus, your decision to incorporate batteries could help even out your usage, assuming the software allows. Its...

So your Sol Ark 15k and EG4 18k both as hybrids are best utilized between your meter and your loads, if you want them to function as a backup power system (which is the attractive aspect), and the reason to have batteries, usually, if you are net metering. If you are going to use an AIO as grid...

I am trying to get my head around an Hybrid/AIO system. Looking at the EG4 18k for instance, it uses up to 500v, but can handle up to 600v without damage. OK, seems straight forward enough. I will have a long run for the DC lines back to the AIO, so I want max voltage. Then I look at panel...

Not to misdirect the original question, but I kind of disagree. There are a lot of roofs that are close enough. Then the panels are out of the way, no need to mow around them, no kids to throw rocks at them. But if your asphalt shingles are at year 20 of a 25 year design life, you better...

Typically you are going to run two rails, parallel horizontally across your shingle roof. They will be say 40" apart for a 60" panel, ballpark. Different panels have different specs as to where they want the rail, depending on things like wind and snow loads. Now those rails need to be...

But no built in solar. As far as I could tell. I mean, the beauty and the curse of the AIO/Hybrid units is that its all under one roof. So to speak. The curse of course is getting it right, especially software wise. The link has MPPT controller in it, but I cannot find a product in their...

Does anyone make a LF high capacity AIO? Suspect not, as that expense segment tends to be willing to assemble individual components.

I *believe* I read in the code just recently that an all metal building could be used as ground for PV panels. I *think* there was verbiage how the structure needed to be grounded as well, ie a rod, wire to the rod etc. There are several specialty products out there that I have been looking...

The panels have a frame that is aluminum. Only one of the two rails needs to be grounded to ground the entire array, ONCE the panels are in place. As far as I could tell, your pictures seem to indicate that one of the two rails is grounded for each course. AFAIK, it allowable to use the panel...

You also appear to have some cables that are coming off the panel, after the main breaker, but not protected, ie no breaker. Hmmm.. Do you have a sub panel somewhere? I think you need professional help. Those smaller wires coming off the lugs right under the main 100A breaker could overheat...

Maybe. Probably. What is the V of the sunpowers? Go to an online DC cable calculator and put in the numbers. Your total voltage is of course 8 x the voltage of your panels assuming you have all 8 in series. The amperage is 1840/total voltage. But here's the good news another user shared...

I have quite a bit more roof space than I have need. So I don't need panels that have particularly high wattage (though of course one can save on racking with less panels). My roofs are all steel and really optimal in locations, so I 'd rather go that route. Large roofs on large sheds at a...

I like your appraisal. In our situation, in several ways I just want to get a net metered installation in place. Out of fear they may even do away with it entirely, but grandfather the old installations. All the people dealing with utilities that refuse to allow a few watts back into the grid...

You last folks talk about breakers and 75c ratings and such. But for a DC HV feed to an array of panels, its not clear to me we are talking the same applications. It would indeed seem relevant to have a DC fuse in a HV DC circuit. No one that I know of has proper DC "breakers" -- lots on...

Lets see if I can redirect the conversation back to my needs. (all you worried about how I burry this -- I'll do it right when the times comes!) I need to understand getting HV DC from a solar array back to a different location for the inverter. Trying to understand what is involved, what...

Couple of you folks keep saying THHN. But its outdoor conduit and my understanding is that you need THWN. W in there is for water resistent. That's really what make basic Romax (MN-B) no go in the ground anywhere, even in a conduit. And THHN is not water resistent rated. Or do you know...

Yeah, I think some good poly rope or nylon in the conduit as well. And probably 10AWG cables. I've been reading about conduit. Does not need to be proper conduit if I use the right wire -- some people use unperforated drainage tile (stuff you can get in 250' roles). Makes pulling wires...

I am contemplating putting some underground wires to get additional panels on a shed that would be around 125ft away from my inverter. This was suggested in a couple other threads. Another suggestion was to run the wires in conduit. Allowing for upgrades in the future, if need be. I am...