[RE-wrenches] Myths, Schemes and Scams request

[Dan Fink]

I absolutely recommend including the build-your-own solar panel schemes /
scams that Dave mentioned -- there are a zillion of them, most have a "4"
in the URL (power4patriots, etc)

One thing I have noticed online with people selling PV modules (Amazon and
Ebay) and alternators for homebuilt wind turbines (all over the 'net) is --
multiplying open-circuit voltage by closed-circuit amperage to get
overrated "watts" , and a video of the multimeter to "prove" it. Ouch. Good
teachable moment on how to use a multimeter, though.

You might also include the very popular (on Ebay) little grid-tie inverters
that take DC solar input on one side and simply plug into a wall outlet on
the other side.

I also admit to, when in a whimsical mood, asking staff at Home Depot / Ace
hardware etc., how to make up a male to male extension cord so my Honda
generator can run my house in an emergency. One of these days I'll find a
co-conspiritor with a tiny camera and make an educational video of it.


Dan Fink,
Executive Director;
Otherpower
Buckville Energy Consulting
Buckville Publications LLC
NABCEP / IREC accredited Continuing Education Providers
970.672.4342




On Sat, Apr 12, 2014 at 6:53 PM, Dave Click <daveclick at fsec.ucf.edu> wrote:

>  If you also have the local electricians selling the kvar units as
> surefire ways to save 30% on your electric bill, I'd nominate that as
> myth/scheme/scam, though I hope most of those resellers are doing so only
> because they're naive. There was also some absurd company a few years ago
> which was selling a "3000W" module that looked suspiciously like a 200W
> module yet could produce a steady 3kW even without any load and even while
> in the shade. They had the clamp-on meter to prove it, so maybe they're
> still selling off area code exclusivity off for a mere $50,000 initial
> deposit.
>
> Screen-shots from this would be fun-- one of the ubiquitous "$50 for this
> complete guide to unplugging from grid by making your own solar panels"
> http://www.powerfreedom.com/System/
>
> The YellowBook ad from a few years ago:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hpHxEhO_DQ
>
> I don't know where I got this picture-- from one of the "make your own
> solar panel" things online. Lovely aesthetics!
> https://www.dropbox.com/s/bxhl3q6hrr9z5sp/DIY%20PV.png
>
>
>
>
> On 2014/4/12, 16:47, Allan Sindelar wrote:
>
> Fellow Wrenches,
> Last year I prepared an hour's presentation for our local Solar Fiesta on
> "Energy Myths, Schemes and Scams". I covered mostly PV and the solar
> industry, with a few slides about the physics of wind and those cute spinny
> yard-art things called VAWTs.  I also hit on "it takes more energy to make
> a PV panel than it will ever produce", the limitations of 25-year module
> warranties, "free energy generators", James McKirdy, lunar modules, and
> modules with fraudulent listings. This was what I was able to pull together.
>
> The workshop was popular and I have been asked to give it again in a
> couple of weeks. I'm looking for any suggestions that you may have for new
> or additional material to update the presentation. Any ideas are welcome,
> especially if you can provide links to good stories and slide materials.
> This is for a general non-technical audience, but I have the freedom to go
> in any direction I wish. So I'd like to be more than just entertaining, but
> make points about value over price, using local installers with knowledge
> and experience, etc.
>
> Beside my appreciation for the material, I'll offer in return to share an
> editable version of the presentation for your own use (although it's a 14
> meg PowerPoint file at present).
>
> Thank you in advance for your suggestions of anything that gets your blood
> boiling, that would be funny if it wasn't giving PV and clean energy a bad
> name.
> Allan
> --
>
> *Allan Sindelar*
> *Allan at positiveenergysolar.com* <Allan at positiveenergysolar.com>
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
> NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
> New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
> Founder (Retired), *Positive Energy, Inc.*
>
> A Certified B CorporationTM
> *505 780-2738 <505%20780-2738> cell*
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List sponsored by Home Power magazine
>
> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>
> Change email address & 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
>
> Change email address & 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/20140413/49343ef6/attachment-0003.html>