[RE-wrenches] Plastic washers

[billbrooks7 at sbcglobal.net]

William,

 

It appears that most (not all) of the damage you show on your website is due to incidental contact of bare copper with the aluminum. Also, dripping from bare copper to aluminum is a problem particularly in a marine environment. Lastly, the Coast Guard has been using unframed modules in marine environments for several decades because of problems they had with anodized aluminum in the 1980s in marine environments. Some module products prohibit installation in marine environments as well.

 

Bottom line, there is no surprise that a marine environment will require significantly more maintenance than in Atascadero. Types of stainless hardware also needs to be more closely reviewed as stainless and aluminum still react with one another—just at a much lower rate that some other materials. There are materials recommendations for stainless types in marine environments that have been used for many decades for sailboats and the like.

 

It makes little sense to design products for the marine environment unless it is specifically to satisfy that niche. Better choice of stainless hardware (not stainless clips), no bare copper, and consistent maintenance are probably your best options. There are a few frameless glass-on-glass modules that also might be an option moving forward.

 

Bill.

 

 

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2016 10:11 AM
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Plastic washers

 

Jay:

 

Conrad has a very pertinent point to make below. We are discovering that neither aluminum racking nor module frames hold up well in a marine environment. If you navigate to Miller Solar/case studies you will see photos and commentary about a particularly serious case of aluminum degradation. 

 

We pulled all of the equipment off the roof and we are waiting for advice from the rack and module manufacturers.  Various ideas brainstormed do include plastic spacers to minimize al to al or al to ss contact. 

 

William Miller


On Jan 27, 2016, at 6:36 AM, Conrad Geyser <conradg at cape.com <mailto:conradg at cape.com> > wrote:

Jay,

 

I would suggest that he has a point, that the dissimilar metals do have a reaction.  But that the reaction is self limiting and that stainless fasteners with aluminum are used in marine applications albeit only with anodized aluminum.  Or say fine and invoice accordingly for the plastic washers.

 

Conrad

Cotuit Solar

 

 




  <https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=0B23cRo0njHR6U05JaTRwaW9xVk0&revid=0B23cRo0njHR6VzRoWURUZFY2MnRmWFF0NWhQWTBiYkxsQ2IwPQ> 
Conrad Geyser, Principal

Cotuit Solar LLC

508-428-8442

 

On Wed, Jan 27, 2016 at 8:02 AM, Jason Szumlanski <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com <mailto:jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com> > wrote:

Another engineer, eh?

 

I'd say no... Tell him to find another installer. 50 million Elvis fans, I mean PV installations, can't be wrong.

 

Ask him if he brings his own scissors to the hairdresser? That's my favorite line.

 

 

Jason Szumlanski

 

 

On Wed, Jan 27, 2016 at 12:37 AM, Jay <jay.peltz at gmail.com <mailto:jay.peltz at gmail.com> > wrote:

Hi all

I've got a client who insists on "plastic " ( synthetic) washers between SS washers and the aluminum racking and modules.

I'm tried every angle to assure him it's not a problem to no effect.

So anybody have any recommendations about type, material, and where to buy?

Thanks

Jay
Peltz power.


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