Missing Junction boxes on modules[RE-wrenches]

[William Miller]

<x-flowed>

Yes, Jeff, we are having this problem.  We knew it was coming, however, and 
you must have missed me bitching about it on this forum.  Hopefully this 
means I have not been overbearing on the subject.

Shell and then Solarworld had been offering the large frame modules with 
the pigtails, but they were removable.  We removed hundreds of them and 
threw them in a big old rusty battery box out back.  We substituted NMLT 
conduit for a much more reliable installation.  Using NMLT conduit is not 
expensive or time consuming:  connectors are about a buck each (less than a 
the cost of an MC "gen 2" connector) and we developed a technique for 
installing NMLT connectors with a cordless drill.  Time to install one 
connector:  3 seconds.

Just last week we received our first order of Solarworld SW175s with the 
loose wires that can not be removed or conduit installed .  They are for a 
ground mount, so we are particularly concerned about having loose wires 
underneath the modules (the ties won't last).  The clients have 
grandchildren who will regard the ground mount racks as a jungle gym.  We 
are working on a system of wire tray that will encapsulate the leads in a 
manner that will be "untouchable."  We hope to apply for a patent in the 
near future so we will have a product available for the industry before 
someone gets killed.    So what if the ends are touch safe, rub one against 
an aluminum rail or rack frame or tile or comp shingles a few dozens times 
and you'll see copper.

It is my impression that most of the installers out there don't give a crap 
if kids are swinging from 600 V wires, they just want to get the job done 
faster for more profit.  This problem is symptomatic of an industry wide 
trend.  The industry is changing, and not for the better.  There are more 
large corporate style vendors and installers out there who can afford to 
underbid us locals.  I call it the Walmart-ization of the industry.  The 
turnover in their crews is constant.  The work is shoddy and the sales 
practices are unethical.  We went to a competitor's sales seminar and the 
lies and half truths told were disgusting.  Did you know the California 
rebates are ending next week?  (They're not.).  The local chapter of the 
Sierra Club stood up and endorsed them!!!  This is way out of line for an 
environmental group to favor one vendor over another (likely because the 
local president got her installation done by them, maybe at a discount).

Another thing:  to tool up for the inferior wiring system (MC) will cost us 
$2,000 and the delivery date is more than a month out.  So once we figure 
out how to protect our ground mount wires, we get to wait for 30 to 60 days 
before we can hook them up.

Anyway, back to the unprotected wiring:  I know many are comfortable with 
the status quo and may not want to read this, but I'd hoped that enough of 
us share this concern that we could put maybe put together a petition and 
maybe an educational web site and maybe speak out at a few 
meetings.  Anyone else out there worried about safety???

William Miller


At 11:19 AM 8/16/2007, you wrote:

>So what happened to the conduit ready junction boxes on the back of the 
>modules?  Yes, pigtails are really easy to inter-connect, but we just 
>designed a 20 kW grid tie system going on a new University Science 
>building and the desigh review commettee had ruled there "will be no 
>wiring allowed that is not in conduit".
>
>Although most of our work now uses "plug and play" pigtails, I thought we 
>could still get these higher wattage modules with junction boxes as an 
>option  - -  Wrong!     Every supplier we have contacted for modules in 
>the 165 to 200 watt range no longer offer any junction box, or at least 
>not one that you can run 1/2" flex into.
>
>Due to roof layout requirements, a 175 watt module allows the best 
>physical layout for this project.  Anyone else having this problem?
>
>Jeff Yago
>Dunimis Technology Inc.
>Virginia


- - - -
Hosted by Home Power magazine

To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & how to change your email address: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
--^----------------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent to: michael_welch at sbcglobal.net

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9.bWljaGFl
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit:
http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER
--^----------------------------------------------------------------


</x-flowed>