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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>It seems you are saying that the batteries are 12V batteries.
And, as there are 40 of them, this would indicate you have about 10 parallel
strings. It would have been difficult to keep this battery bank properly
charged even if the charging parameters were appropriate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>One string is best, two is great also…three is maybe not so bad…..then
start sliding down the hill….<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Walt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>SunEnergy Power Int’l<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Conrad
Geyser<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Sunday, November 29, 2009 5:49 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'RE-wrenches'<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [RE-wrenches] concord batteries<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:navy'>In the vein of us on grid folks who’s heads spin when the off grid
folks start talking about charge programming and gen set start up parameters…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:navy'>I am servicing an orphaned 48 V off grid system that is only 1 1/2
years old, with 40 Concorde Sun Extender batteries, which are for the most
part, shot (about half of them under 10V after a generator EQ charge).
I’m sure the batteries have been abused at least after the point that someone
lowered the generator start voltage to 40V. We’re still doing fact
finding on the charge parameters for the PV and wind, but I’m wondering if
there is anyone that has an opinion on the Concorde batteries.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:navy'>And at least at this point, I’m glad I had to study for some off
grid questions on the NABCEP test, not to mention the conversations on this
list. : ><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:navy'>Conrad<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:navy'>Cotuit Solar<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Bob-O
Schultze<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, November 25, 2009 9:59 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Nabcep - grid tie---Off grid</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>William,<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Nice to meet you -however briefly- at the Solar Zoo in
Anaheim.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>If you don't see the value in being NABCEP certified, then
you shouldn't bother with it. If your state- as more than a few have- decides
to recognize it in some way that affects your pocket, then you'll likely change
your mind PDQ. I've personally gotten one or two jobs that I know about because
I was Certified and the other bidder was not, but our bids were very close in
price. Low-ballers, like head lice, are just a nasty fact of life.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>While I generally agree with you on your point #2, it varies
a lot state to state. I'm licensed in CA and OR. While I understand the rules
in CA are changing, enforcement is, and has always been, a joke. In OR, you
need a 4000 hour apprenticeship AND 256 hours of general electrical classroom
time to get a Renewable Energy license. A general journeyman license is twice
that. I've had inspectors come to our job site and check that everyone is
licensed. In OR, you don't lay hands on a wire without a license. Ever hear of
the like in CA? Maybe in the big cities, but nowhere else.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>We're totally on the same page about the IBEW. If you understand
that their goal is total domination of the electrical trade everywhere, a lot
of how they operate makes sense. I'm a pro-Union kinda guy as a rule, but, like
religion, too much of a thing is way worse than none.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>As to experience with EMT and the like, again it varies
state to state and certainly region to region. In this neck of the woods, if
you can't bend an offset or saddle bend, you are either a new apprentice or
unemployed.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Best, Bob-O<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>On Nov 24, 2009, at 11:48 PM, William Miller wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Friends:<br>
<br>
I'd like to make two brief points on the training/NABCEP debate:<br>
<br>
1. If I thought NABCEP certification would get me one more job I'd normally
lose to a low-ball bidder, I'd be inclined to sit for the test, but it won't.<br>
<br>
2. Most solar electric installers could not be considered electricians.
Until they learn the trade, they are not qualified to install the most basic
grid tie system. Conversely, many electricians with the most basic
electrical skills think they know all that needs to be known to design and
install solar-electric. Wrong again.<br>
<br>
I don't support the IBEW concept of taking over the solar industry by force,
but I do respect their concept of actually encouraging well rounded
electrician's skills. How many solar installers can actually lay an
offset into a stick of EMT? Not many. Most are glorified stereo
installers, plugging and praying.<br>
<br>
Respectfully,<br>
<br>
William Miller<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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