[RE-wrenches] Outback Breaker Problem

[Kent Osterberg]

Ray,

I've broken a couple of those myself and agree that the lug isn't very 
strong. Once it bends just a little, the tab on the back comes out and 
the lug torques right off. Here's my solution, it has to be done in 
advance and it is a PITA: fill the gap between the back of the lug and 
breaker body with JB weld.

Kent Osterberg
Blue Mountain Solar, Inc.
www.bluemountainsolar.com
t: 541-568-4882


On 12/16/2011 9:14 PM, Ray Walters wrote:
> Hi Folks;
>
> Anybody else having trouble with the small Outback DC breakers 
> snapping posts off?  I just took over a GTB job from another reputable 
> GT solar company, after they twisted off a post on an 80 amp breaker 
> with #4 wire.  I know those are delicate breakers with low torque 
> limits when tightening, so I took over.   I dropped the breaker 
> mounting plate, so that I could work on the breakers, and then I saw 
> how weak the posts looked, just bending the #4 wires gently still 
> cause another breaker post to stress, and then break.  I worked as 
> gently as I could, but I could not even get the plate back in position 
> without damage.
> In my opinion, those breakers are suspect with #6 wire, and they just 
> can't handle #4 or larger, unless maybe it was a flex type.
> The old medium body Heinemans  (125 amp) used to come in an 80 amp 
> variety, which was much sturdier.   Is there an adapter that would let 
> me use that type of breaker on the Flexware box?
>
>
> Ray Walters
>
>
>
>
>
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