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    <div class="moz-cite-prefix">John,<br>
      I respect your experience and your advice, and have a few
      questions related to this post.<br>
      <br>
      I have seen problems in the past with failed and high-resistance
      battery terminal connections. Usually it's the result of corrosion
      buildup on unprotected terminals installed by a homeowner or a
      lowball installer, but I can recall at least one instance in which
      one of our installers didn't tighten a terminal sufficiently, or
      else the connection loosened as you described below, and it melted
      the terminal and caused a system failure - which we covered under
      our installation warranty. But I have never seen advice as
      specific as yours on actual terminal connection materials and
      procedure.<br>
      <br>
      What corrosion inhibiting grease do you recommend? I have seen
      Vaseline used for decades, and don't think I have ever seen a
      failure. We have used QuickCote for years, with the brush-in-can,
      but it's tedious. <br>
      <br>
      I found two versions of SS Belleville washer at fastenal.com:<br>
          5/16" curved spring washer at
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/33192?searchMode=productSearch&rfqXref=&rfqKeyword=&rfqId=&rfqLineId=">http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/33192?searchMode=productSearch&rfqXref=&rfqKeyword=&rfqId=&rfqLineId=</a><br>
          5/16" Belleville washer at
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/71239?searchMode=productSearch&rfqXref=&rfqKeyword=&rfqId=&rfqLineId=">http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/71239?searchMode=productSearch&rfqXref=&rfqKeyword=&rfqId=&rfqLineId=</a><br>
      The former has radial serrations, but I think the latter is what
      you're recommending - yes?<br>
      <br>
      You write "locknut" below - are you recommending a standard 5/16"
      SS nut, or a specific type of locknut like a Nylock?<br>
      <br>
      Thanks for going into a bit more detail for us. I'd like a bit
      more peace of mind. I actually a bit about 14 year old banks
      losing one string and overloading another...<br>
      Allan<br>
      <br>
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        <font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><b>Allan Sindelar</b></font><br>
        <small><a href="mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com"><font
              face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#000099"><u>Allan@positiveenergysolar.com</u></font></a></small><font
          face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><br>
          <span style="font-size: 10pt;">NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic
            Installer<br>
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            New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician<br>
            Founder and Chief Technology Officer<br>
            <b>Positive Energy, Inc.</b><br>
            3209 Richards Lane (note new address)<br>
            Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507<br>
            <b>505 424-1112</b><br>
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              target="_blank"><u>www.positiveenergysolar.com</u></a><o:p></o:p></span></font>
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        <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br>
        </span> </div>
      On 3/25/2013 2:49 PM, John Berdner wrote:<br>
    </div>
    <blockquote
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          <p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">I
              concur with William’s recommendations and would add a
              couple of things.<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">Only
              use stainless steel hardware for all battery connections.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
          <p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Wire
              brush connection surfaces prior to mating.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
          <p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Use
              corrosion inhibiting grease on all fittings after making
              them (to seal out air).<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">Lastly,
              It is a good idea to use stainless Belleville washers
              (cupped spring washers) in current carrying connections.<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">Bolt
              head, washer, Battery terminal, washer, Belleville washer,
              locknut.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
          <p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">The
              spring washer maintains clamping force as the connection
              expands and contracts (thermally).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
          <p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">They
              are very common place in high current bus bar connections
              but I rarely see them used on batteries.<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>
          <div>
            <p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Best
                Regards,<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">John
                Berdner<o:p></o:p></span></p>
            <p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">General
                Manager, North America<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">SolarEdge
                Technologies, Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
            <p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">3347
                Gateway Boulevard, Fremont CA 94538 USA  </span><b><i><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#C00000">(*Please
                    note of our new address.)</span></i></b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><br>
                T: 510.498.3200, X 747<o:p></o:p></span></p>
            <p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">M:
                530.277.4894 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
          </div>
          <p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
          <div>
            <div style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF
              1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
              <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"">
                  <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>
                  [<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On
                    Behalf Of </b>William Miller<br>
                  <b>Sent:</b> Monday, March 25, 2013 12:41 PM<br>
                  <b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br>
                  <b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] GSCM-mini with Honda
                  EM5000SX<o:p></o:p></span></p>
            </div>
          </div>
          <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
          <p class="MsoNormal">Eric:<br>
            <br>
            The generator-based charging may impose higher currents into
            the batteries than either PV charging or inverter
            consumption, triggering the problem.  <br>
            <br>
            Melted battery terminals are not uncommon.  You must have
            washers under your bolt heads with lead flanges.  Otherwise
            the bolt heads sink into the lead, loosening connections. 
            All mating surfaces need to be newly wired brushed just
            before assembly.  Battery connections need to be re-torqued
            annually.<br>
            <br>
            William Miller<br>
            <br>
            At 09:40 AM 3/25/2013, you wrote:<br>
            <br>
            <o:p></o:p></p>
          <p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Larry,<br>
            </span> <br>
            <span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Thanks
              for your reply. For some reason the schematic I received
              from the tech at Atkinson did not show any wires being
              connected to pins 9 & 10 and as I'm a literalist I did
              not make those connections. After I received your (and
              other) feedback I connected gen power to those pins and
              the AGS seemed to function fine. Within 2 days the
              customer called me back saying his genny was shutting off
              after 20 mins of runtime. I told him to disconnect or
              reprogram one system component at a time to find the fault
              source. Before a fault source was determined, he observed
              that two batteries in his bank were experiencing the
              "battery terminals melting into the battery casing" (as
              was texted to me by the customer). I have no idea how a
              GSCM interface would cause or allow an overcurrent fault
              at the batteries but the timing of the installation seems
              to indicate that the AGS is at fault. Ever heard of this
              before?<br>
            </span> <br>
            <span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Eric
              Stikes<br>
              SunHarvest Solar<br>
            </span> <br>
            <br>
            <o:p></o:p></p>
          <blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
            <p class="MsoNormal">We install solar pool pumps quite
              frequently here in the Caribbean. We use Sunpumps -
              excellent company, great support. Email Joe Lines joe@<a
                moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:joe@sunpumps.com">sunpumps.com</a>
              for design assistance, he is very helpful.<br>
              <br>
              <br>
              On Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 1:02 PM, William Korthof <<a
                moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:wkorthof@gmail.com">wkorthof@gmail.com</a>>
              wrote:<br>
              <br>
              <o:p></o:p></p>
            <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">A few
              questions. <br>
              <br>
              I have a customer who really wants a solar-direct pool
              pump for his home. Medium size in-ground pool and I'd like
              the pump to be strong enough to lift to the solar pool
              panels (12 ft lift above pool level). I'd like to offer
              him hardware that is at least one notch above experimental
              beta-test. I remember the SunCentric from several years
              ago, but not sure how durable that turned out, and I was
              having trouble a vendor for it now. Any suggestions for
              today with some favorable track record? Or suggestions on
              what to avoid? <br>
              <span style="color:#888888"><br>
                William Korthof<br>
                Sustainable Solutions Partners<br>
                <br>
              </span><br>
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      <pre wrap="">_______________________________________________
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