[RE-wrenches] Plastic washers

[Ray Walters]

We just had that same concern, but once you torque the connection down 
there was no noticeable movement.  As someone else mentioned the 
plastics can be tough to hold up to UV, temperature, compression, and 
thermal cycling.  Once that hard plastic cracks and falls out, you 
definitely will have a loose connection.

R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760

On 1/28/2016 11:19 AM, jay wrote:
> My hesitation to that is the compressibility of the neoprene.
>
> One of the things I like about nylon or similar hard plastics is they 
> don’t compress so you do get a ridged structure.
>
> jay
>
> peltz power
>> On Jan 28, 2016, at 10:15 AM, Ray Walters <ray at solarray.com 
>> <mailto:ray at solarray.com>> wrote:
>>
>> I would use a SS washer with integrated Neoprene rubber gasket. We 
>> use them on roof work, and Unirac uses them under the lag on their 
>> roof flashings.
>> <images.jpeg>
>> https://www.copperstate.com/shop/429/neoprene-washers
>>
>> Thanks,
>> R.Ray Walters
>> CTO, Solarray, Inc
>> Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
>> Licensed Master Electrician
>> Solar Design Engineer
>> 303 505-8760
>> On 1/28/2016 8:25 AM, Jay wrote:
>>> Hi Larry
>>>
>>> I wasn't planning on installing anything between al and al. Just 
>>> between SS and al. So the module will still be bolted directly to 
>>> the al rack material. I'm not too worried about the grounding, and 
>>> certainly not worried enough to install lay in lugs with copper to 
>>> each module.
>>>
>>> As lones pointed out, there are parts that would insulate the bolt.
>>> But as the owner hasn't requested that, not going to suggest it!
>>>
>>> I sure didn't plan on stirring the pot like this.
>>> Just really wanted some help on sourcing the washers
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> Jay
>>> Peltz power
>>>
>>> On Jan 28, 2016, at 6:49 AM, Starlight Solar Power Systems 
>>> <larry at starlightsolar.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hey Jay,
>>>>
>>>> I’m still trying to picture this and had a thought: If you isolate 
>>>> the module from the rack electrically with these washers, and both 
>>>> are grounded, and the two grounds are not at the same potential 
>>>> (different length ground runs), you may be creating a path for high 
>>>> voltage into the array in event of a near lightning strike.
>>>>
>>>> Also, if the washer is between the two metals, how will you isolate 
>>>> the bolt that puts them together from not touching the sides of the 
>>>> holes?  Perhaps you need to look into non-conductive fasteners as well.
>>>>
>>>> Larry Crutcher
>>>> Starlight Solar Power Systems
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>
>
>
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