[RE-wrenches] Salt & Aluminum vs Galvy

[Christopher Warfel]

Hi Jim, We use Al racks on salt water aquaculture RE systems. No 
significant corrosion and we are about 9" off the water.

Chris

On 10/26/2011 12:52 PM, Jim MacDonald wrote:
>
> Hello wrenches
>
> Does anyone have any photos or links to photos showing unanodized (not 
> anodized) aluminum racking systems in the field for a few years?
>
> I have heard that such hardware may pit a bit and look ugly, but 
> wondering how much corrosion would actually take place, and if 
> structural integrity would be compromised.
>
> Unanodized Al failing much faster in an environment <50 mi from the coast?
>
> Any info here appreciated.
>
> cheers
>
> *Jim MacDonald***
>
> Design + Engineering Dept.
>
> Solar Energy Systems, LLC
>
> Brooklyn, NY 11222
>
> www.solarEsystems.com <http://www.solaresystems.com/>
>
> *From:* re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Jeff 
> Clearwater
> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 27, 2011 5:13 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Salt & Aluminum vs Galvy
>
> Thanks Daryl and Ray - I appreciate the info!
>
> Other's concurr?
>
> jc
>
> penobscotsolar at midmaine.com <mailto:penobscotsolar at midmaine.com> wrote:
>
> Thanks for reminding me Ray....Jeff, we use ss transition boxes instead of
> pvc. You can find 6x6x4 or 4x4x4 boxes for a reasonable price considering
> their superiority when it comes to longevity. Obviously use at least 3R
> rated boxes at a minimum.
>   
> Daryl DeJoy
> NABCEP Certified PV installer
> Penobscot Solar Design
>   
>   
>   
>   
>
>     Galvanized does not do very well in Hawaii near the water. I haven't
>
>     seen much powder coated Al, but anodized AL with SS hardware seems to
>
>     work about as good as anything I've seen. We see SS J boxes, fiberglass
>
>     boxes seem to break down in the UV after several years, but painting
>
>     with the right paint helps a lot. The last job I worked on there, we had
>
>     2 guys paint all exposed J-boxes and PVC conduit with a heavy duty oil
>
>     based (messy cleanup) paint. I'll let you know in 5 years how it all
>
>     looks.
>
>     Also, be sure and get all your conduit clamps and unistrut in stainless.
>
>     More expensive, harder to find, and harder to cut, but you'll see the
>
>     difference in a couple of years for sure. Just a single washer that's
>
>     not SS will stand out like a sore thumb later.
>
>       
>
>     Ray Walters
>
>       
>
>     On 9/27/2011 11:40 AM, Jeff Clearwater wrote:
>
>         Hi Esteemed Wrenchies,
>
>           
>
>         So for the project I'm working on in the Bahamas for ground mount
>
>         racking - have folks found Aluminum or Galvy to stand up against salt
>
>         spray better?
>
>           
>
>         And if Al - powder coated or anodized?
>
>           
>
>         And  with mixing them - (like a typical Steel Pipe rack with Al Rails)
>
>         - are the junctions going to be a problem with lots of salt?
>
>           
>
>         Any solution to AL framed modules not turning black and ugly?  Do
>
>         black anodized module frames help?
>
>           
>
>         Thanks!
>
>           
>
>         Jeff
>
>           
>
>           
>
>         --
>
>         Jeff Clearwater
>
>         Village Power Design
>
>           
>
>         Renewable Energy Consultant
>
>         32 Years in all Aspects of Renewables
>
>         www.villagepower.com  <http://www.villagepower.com>
>
>         skype: jclearwater
>
>         413-559-9763
>
>         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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-- 

Christopher Warfel, P.E.
ENTECH Engineering, Inc.
Energy Utilization Experts
(401)466-8978

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