Chance,

The wrenches list is also available as a searchable archive, where this subject
has been previously discussed / debated at length. Rather than chastising Bob-O,
you might thank him for bringing this to your attention and also to the
attention of anyone else reading the list, public or pro.

There are many relatively new companies installing solar, some with 30 - 40
employees or so, which have installed multiple grid tie type systems, but have
never installed a system which included batteries. Obviously there is a great
deal more to these systems than choosing the correct cable. The question put to
the list unfortunately seemed to reflect a certain naivete. 

A company which installs battery based systems has no excuse for failing to
provide training for their employees to do them safely, using the proper
procedures and materials. There are great resources available to provide this
training if it's not available in house. SEI is one I've used personally. 

Bob-O has been doing these for years and years. Perhaps few in the business know
more. His post reflects his concern for the integrity of our industry during
this period of rapid growth.

Respectfully,

Dick Ratico
Solarwind Electric
Bradford, VT



>You wrote,
Chance Currington chance766 at yahoo.com 
Wed Mar 11 10:12:23 PDT 2009

Bob-O
 
Please review wrenches etiquitte here  http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
 
Below is what i would like you to focus on with regards to your comments to
Jeff.
 
Resist the temptation to "flame" others on the list. Remember that these
discussions are "public" and meant for constructive exchanges. Treat the others
on the list as you would want them to treat you. (A.K.A. The Silicon Rule.) If
you absolutely need to chastise someone, please do it off list. Or contact the
moderator with your complaint, and let him decide how to handle it. 
 
If you would like to continue this conversation off-list then you will call me
at 541.389.1016
 
Chance
 
Jeff,

________________________________

From: Bob-O Schultze <bob-o at electronconnection.com>
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 7:29:26 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] battery cables

This is a pet peeve of mine. Welding cable is designed to live it's whole life
surrounded by hot sparks and dragged across cement floors, yet it is not
"listed" for use in a home. That pretty much means that the manufacturer hasn't
spent the dough to do the UL testing. Most of us use a wire manufactured by
Cobra Wire & Cable called CobraFlex which is listed. It comes in 2/0 and 4/0
sizes and others.
I'm a little concerned that you list yourself as a "Lead Installer" and don't
know this. Never done a permitted battery-based system before?
Bob-O

On Mar 11, 2009, at 6:59 AM, Jeff Blick wrote:
Hi wrenches,
I have been looking through the codebook for guidance in selecting battery
cables for a large UPS system.  The code doesn't appear to have much to say
about the actual type of wire used.  My electrical supplier is suggesting
welding cable, but I feel like I read somewhere that welding cable is not
appropriate.  I know it needs to be 4/0 or larger, just wondering what type of
wire others are using for this application.  Thanks!
 
Jeff Blick
Lead PV Installer
Sunlight Solar Energy, Inc.
direct: 541-306-4196
fax: 541-322-1911
jeff.blick at sunlightsolar.com
www.sunlightsolar.com
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website at http://www.sunlightsolar.co

