[RE-wrenches] concord batteries

[Conrad Geyser]

In the vein of us on grid folks who's heads spin when the off grid folks
start talking about charge programming and gen set start up parameters.

 

I am servicing an orphaned 48 V off grid system that is only 1 1/2 years
old, with 40 Concorde Sun Extender batteries, which are for the most part,
shot (about half of them under 10V after a generator EQ charge).  I'm sure
the batteries have been abused at least after the point that someone lowered
the generator start voltage to 40V.  We're still doing fact finding on the
charge parameters for the PV and wind, but I'm wondering if there is anyone
that has an opinion on the Concorde batteries.

 

And at least at this point, I'm glad I had to study for some off grid
questions on the NABCEP test, not to mention the conversations on this list.
: >

 

Conrad

Cotuit Solar

 

 

 

  _____  

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Bob-O
Schultze
Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 9:59 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Nabcep - grid tie---Off grid

 

William,

Nice to meet you -however briefly- at the Solar Zoo in Anaheim.

If you don't see the value in being NABCEP certified, then you shouldn't
bother with it. If your state- as more than a few have- decides to recognize
it in some way that affects your pocket, then you'll likely change your mind
PDQ. I've personally gotten one or two jobs that I know about because I was
Certified and the other bidder was not, but our bids were very close in
price. Low-ballers, like head lice, are just a nasty fact of life.

While I generally agree with you on your point #2, it varies a lot state to
state. I'm licensed in CA and OR. While I understand the rules in CA are
changing, enforcement is, and has always been, a joke. In OR, you need a
4000 hour apprenticeship AND 256 hours of general electrical classroom time
to get a Renewable Energy license. A general journeyman license is twice
that. I've had inspectors come to our job site and check that everyone is
licensed. In OR, you don't lay hands on a wire without a license. Ever hear
of the like in CA? Maybe in the big cities, but nowhere else.

We're totally on the same page about the IBEW. If you understand that their
goal is total domination of the electrical trade everywhere, a lot of how
they operate makes sense. I'm a pro-Union kinda guy as a rule, but, like
religion, too much of a thing is way worse than none.

As to experience with EMT and the like, again it varies state to state and
certainly region to region. In this neck of the woods, if you can't bend an
offset or saddle bend, you are either a new apprentice or unemployed.

Best, Bob-O

 

On Nov 24, 2009, at 11:48 PM, William Miller wrote:

 

Friends:

I'd like to make two brief points on the training/NABCEP debate:

1. If I thought NABCEP certification would get me one more job I'd normally
lose to a low-ball bidder, I'd be inclined to sit for the test, but it
won't.

2. Most solar electric installers could not be considered electricians.
Until they learn the trade, they are not qualified to install the most basic
grid tie system.  Conversely, many electricians with the most basic
electrical skills think they know all that needs to be known to design and
install solar-electric.  Wrong again.

I don't support the IBEW concept of taking over the solar industry by force,
but I do respect their concept of actually encouraging well rounded
electrician's skills.  How many solar installers can actually lay an offset
into a stick of EMT?  Not many.  Most are glorified stereo installers,
plugging and praying.

Respectfully,

William Miller

 

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