[RE-wrenches] Stainless NEMA4x load center, SolarDeck w/ breakers

Wed Apr 23 12:12:33 PDT 2014

Are these breakers listed for use in wet locations?

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 1:51 PM
To: chris at solarandwindfx.com; RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Stainless NEMA4x load center, SolarDeck w/ breakers

Here is exactly what I ordered:

(1) RST0760-41AD Soladeck AC/DC Combiner Box

(1) RST0784AC-3K Soladeck AC 3 Circuit Busbar Kit

(2) RST1455.20 ABB Mini Circuit Breaker 120/240VAC 20A

(1) RST1455.15 ABB Mini Circuit Breaker 120/240VAC 15A

(1) RST1440.080 Soladeck Power Block 600V 80A

This model has a cover that is bumped out to fit breakers. Here is a pic of the closed up box.

Inline image 1

Again, I'm not really happy with the way I brought the Enphase cables into this Soladeck. The knockout center-points provided by the manufacturer are too close together to accommodate five water-tight glands, so I used some offsets to make more space. If it wasn't my own house, I would have wanted it to look much prettier for a customer.

One thing I highly recommend is along the top and sides to use sealant as indicated in the manual, then sprinkle a generous amount of granules in the sealant. Otherwise the cover and your fingers get gummed up when taking the cover off.

The manufacturer's website and documentation is woefully inadequate for this product. They need to clarify it, obviously, based on this discussion if they want to sell more. It's a great solution IMO.

Jason Szumlanski

Fafco Solar

  <https://wisestamp.appspot.com/pixview.gif?p=chrome&v=3.31.0&t=1398274781591&u=d0c775731865b324> 

On Wed, Apr 23, 2014 at 12:01 PM, Chris Schaefer <chris at solarandwindfx.com> wrote:

Jason,

            I love the picture. Just ran into this a few days ago on an install. Had two older SolarDeck Model 0780 in stock. I had the same two pole breakers and attempted to install them here in the shop before I went out to the project as I was afraid their height would not allow the cover to seal. And it did not. It appears you have ABB breakers and I just tried them and they don’t fit either. Now if you look at your link it shows and states fuse holders, which do fit. I’m wondering if the newer models in your link are just a little bit taller than the older models I had in stock. I don’t see size specs on their web site. Can you please provide the model# you show in your photo?

Christopher Schaefer

                                Chris Schaefer’s

SolarWindFX

                    Tel/Fax 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870  

     5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424

www.solarandwindfx.com ~ E-mail: chris at solarandwindfx.com

Thomas Jefferson, the author of our great Constitution, once said, "democracy" will cease to exist                                                                     when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 11:36
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Stainless NEMA4x load center

See my other response, but you should definitely consider SolaDeck in this case.. You want SolaDeck Model 0786-41. Make sure you order the correct breakers, bus bars, and Neutral terminal block.

http://www.rstcenterprises.com/soladeck/products/1741_combiner_enclosure.phtml

The attached picture is the Soladeck on my 3-string Enphase system at home (note: neutral block was not on DIN rail yet). There are four neutrals on the bottom of the N block because I center-fed one inverter string, so I had four sets of Enphase cable coming into the box, which is admittedly a little tight. If you need to do this, I recommend transitioning to THWN in a separate combiner and just bringing in three strings through one or two conduits.

Inline image 1

Jason Szumlanski

Fafco Sola

r

  <https://wisestamp.appspot.com/pixview.gif?p=chrome&v=3.31.0&t=1398266913442&u=d0c775731865b324> 

On Wed, Apr 23, 2014 at 11:17 AM, Kirpal Khalsa <solarworks at gmail.com> wrote:

Drake.....we want it to mount flush to the slope of a sloped roof....The NEMA 3R are supposed to be mounted vertically....This is for a large residential Enphase system and we wanted to combine the circuits on the roof and bring one set of conductors down.....

I did find one custom made by Eaton(Cutler Hammer), but....$952 my cost is too much..I have had them make me one out of fiberglass in the past but it is about 3 years into its roof mount life and showing signs of UV degradation...looking for other options....I think i will dig a little deeper at Midnite Solar.....They may have something....Theirs and Outback's PV combiners are rated to be mounted at a slope....i think it is down to 14 degrees pitch (3/12)

Thanks.

Sunny Regards,
Kirpal Khalsa
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
Renewable Energy Systems
www.oregonsolarworks.com

541-218-0201 m
541-299-0402 o

On Wed, Apr 23, 2014 at 8:11 AM, Drake <drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org> wrote:

That would be a nice piece of hardware. Is there any reason you can't use a NEMA 3R panel?  They are used on roofs quite a bit, and are readily available.  The Square D, 8 space, outdoor box should work in most rooftop environments for the purpose you describe.  

At 06:18 PM 4/21/2014, you wrote:

Hello Friends!
Anyone have a lead for NEMA 4x stainless load centers (electrical panel)? Â Looking for 4 circuit version rated at about 60-100A @ 240VAC.

Would like to use it for rooftop combiner for 3 Enphase inverter output circuits.
Thank you!!

Sunny Regards,
Kirpal Khalsa
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
Renewable Energy Systems
www.oregonsolarworks.com
541-218-0201

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