[RE-wrenches] module frame separation

[Joel Davidson]

Marv,

Not to split hairs, but silicone not silicon. Silicone based brake fluid is used because it is non-hygroscopic. Hydroscopic is the ability to absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Silicone bathtub caulk is not hydroscopic and the acetic acid in the caulk will not hurt the solar laminate glass, tedlar, or ethylene vinyl acetate (eva).

Brightly,
Joel Davidson

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Marv Dargatz 
  To: RE-wrenches 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 2:34 PM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] module frame separation


  Be careful with the silicon.  Most of it is hygroscopic, and contains acetic acid.

  Automobile windshields are often secured with Butyl rubber caulk.  It is impervious to moisture.  Might this be a good choice?  I also wonder if a polyurethane (like sikaflex) would be appropriate.

See Ya!

Marv
Enphase Energy
707 763-4784 x7016

  Joel Davidson wrote: 
    William, 

    The main concerns are physical damage to the unsupported laminate and moisture penetration at the exposed edge of the laminate. If the frame can be pushed back in place without breaking the laminate, you can fasten a flat bar across the back of the module to keep the frame in place. EVA is hydroscopic and moisture will wick into the laminate from the exposed edge. Run a bead of silicone caulk along the edge of the laminate before securing the frame back in place. 

    Joel Davidson 

    ----- Original Message ----- From: "William Korthof" <wkorthof at eesolar.com> 
    To: <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> 
    Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 1:39 PM 
    Subject: [RE-wrenches] module frame separation 



      Recently we've had a few modules (~5 year old) exhibit frame  separation from the glass... 
      in one case, it's minor separation of the long edge of frame on one or both sides of a few modules... the frames seem okay and reasonably  secure when attached on the roof, but were loose during handling. 
      In another case, the customer is located in snow-impacted mountains. Apparently, a sheet of icy snow pulled the bottom (short) edge of the frame apart from the glass and side frame pieces. No damage to the  glass, but the lower edges of 6+ frames are now dangling by a thread. 

      I don't think the module warranties cover this problem---the power  output remains within spec and there is no evident damage to the  glass. But if we don't provide some sort of repair, the modules will  break. 

      Any suggestions for this kind of repair? 
      What kind of glue would we use to reattach the glass to the aluminum frames? 

      Thanks, 
      William Korthof 
      Energy Efficiency Solar 

      _______________________________________________ 
      List sponsored by Home Power magazine 

      List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org 

      Options & settings: 
      http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org 

      List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org 

      List rules & etiquette: 
      www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm 

      Check out participant bios: 
      www.members.re-wrenches.org 



    _______________________________________________ 
    List sponsored by Home Power magazine 

    List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org 

    Options & settings: 
    http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org 

    List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org 

    List rules & etiquette: 
    www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm 

    Check out participant bios: 
    www.members.re-wrenches.org 





------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  _______________________________________________
  List sponsored by Home Power magazine

  List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org

  Options & settings:
  http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

  List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

  List rules & etiquette:
  www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

  Check out participant bios:
  www.members.re-wrenches.org

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20090624/11c9703c/attachment-0004.html>