Craig Flanders's posts

Posted by Craig Flanders on Oct 15, 2006 11:42 am

#1 -  Renewable Energy > RE General Discussion > Re: what a DEAL! :P
COME ON.......ur supposed to be energy efficient.....
recycled scotch tape............
 

Posted by Craig Flanders on Oct 7, 2006 04:55 pm

#2 -  Renewable Energy > RE General Discussion > Re: what a DEAL! :P
Doesn't say wether they are used or not.............:->
 

Posted by Craig Flanders on Oct 2, 2006 06:12 pm

#3 -  Renewable Energy > RE General Discussion > Re: Mounting Lighting arrestors
Here is a docs I found, tried to post the schematic also but would not let me:link is here:

[Edit by Nick - Here is the image the page was referring to]
http://shop.altenergystore.com/Solar/descfiles/delta/dc/dcaschm.gif



Also a good doc is here:

http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy02osti/31115.pdf  -this link has several good schematics

Protect your sensitive solar or wind energy systems with this lightning arrestor. Make a small investment for the protection of your system... you'll be glad you did.
Detailed Description...........
Product Features:
   

    * Protect your sensitive solar or wind energy systems
    * Weatherproof Enclosure
    * DIMENSIONS: 2-1/4" High, 2-1-4" Diameter
    * Current: 60,000A Surge
    * Joules: 2,000 per Pole
    * Operations: No Limit
    * Leak Current: None
    * Leads: 18" #12 AWG

Installation

If there is a surge so strong that something must be damaged, we prefer that it'd be an arrestor rather than your equipment. Since you should expect the arrestor might be damaged, install it in a regular electrical enclosure to protect personnel from accidental contact with live parts. Should the arrestor be damaged, it will not damage other components in the box. If the arrestor cannot be placed in an enclosure, consider using our vent valve model. Its case will not rupture. A small vent on the bottom of the case will open.

To protect a house, the arrestor should be mounted on an outside switch or junction box, or in the breaker box. The black wires should be connected to the circuit. The white wire should be connected to the neutral, the box, and/or a solid ground.

To protect electronic equipment such as computers, transmitters, receivers, etc., connect the black wires to the terminals of the device and the white wire to chassis. Mount the arrestor in the cabinet. Consider using a surge capacitor connected to the breaker feeding them.
 
To protect a watt-hour meter, connect the black wires to the line terminals, and the white wire to the meter box.

To protect a submersible pump motor, connect the black wires to the line terminals and the white wire to the casing and/or tubing.

To protect an electric motor on machinery, connect the black wires to the motor leads and the white wire to the motor frame.

To protect equipment on a radio tower or a drilling rig, mount the arrestor to a junction box at the bottom of each string of lights going up to the tower. Connect the black leads to the circuit conductors and the white wire to the rig steel. Arrange for the conductors feeding the junction box to be parallel with the earth. Connect an arrestor to the generator leads grounding the white wire to the generator frame. Connect an arrestor to each lighting panel connecting black wires to the circuit conductors, and the white wire to the box and rig frame.

Where the switch and motor are within six feet of each other, one arrestor will protect both provided a solid ground wire is fastened to the switch box, motor frame, and arrestor white wire. However, optimum protection is afforded only when the arrestor is connected directly to the device to be protected.

To protect a motor control switch separately, connect the black wires to the line terminals and the white wire to the box.

In all cases, it is the electrical insulation that is to be protected. Once in the circuit, the high voltage ruptures the insulation of the equipment in its effort to discharge to ground. The arrestor provides a parallel path to ground for the current discharge. Consequently, the black wires need to be connected to the circuit, and the white wires need to be connected to the metal frame of the machine or device to be protected. A mere ground connection will not necessarily provide protection; however, it should be used in addition to the frame connection.

Caution! Electrical work can be dangerous and should only be attempted by persons experienced to do so. Accidental contact with electrically charged parts can cause injury or electrocution. Loose connections can cause over heating, damage to equipment, and fire.

The arrestor remains good and functions properly as long as its enclosure is intact. Should the arrestor ever be damaged the enclosure will burst. While it is not possible to achieve one hundred percent protection, the Delta Arrestor will greatly reduce problems due to lightning and power surge. This device is to be installed in accordance with all applicable requirements of the National Electrical Code.

Warning! To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock or personal injury, this secondary surge arrestor shall be installed in conjunction with a disconnecting means which shall consist of a manually operable Listed circuit breaker that has an interrupting rating sufficient for the nominal circuit voltage and the current that is available at the line terminals of the secondary surge arrestor. Connect black wires to lines load-side of fuse/breaker. Connect white wire to neutral/ground lines.
Guarantee

Delta Lightning Arrestors guarantees and warrants to the end user that this arrestor is free from defects in workmanship and material. The arrestor is designed to conduct 60,000 amps of lightning or surge to ground without damage. When lightning or surge is in excess of 60,000 amps, the arrestor is expected to experience damage. In the event the arrestor should damage due to defects, return it to the factory with payment of five dollars to cover shipping and handling and it will be replaced. This guarantee is limited to replacement. There is no other warranty, expressed or implied.
The Delta LA Series of lightning arrestors handles the big surges, like lightning up to 50,000 amps, passing them harmlessly to ground.

 

Posted by Craig Flanders on Sep 29, 2006 02:18 pm

#4 -  Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: Hybrid wind & PV battery connection?
A DC source center organizes and fuses/'breakers" your various DC sources.
I use the following for my solar, wind (Aix-x) system, has lots of room, but you have to use Outback breakers.
 Outback Ps2Dc-100 100A Dc Breaker available is here, the wiring diagram on the cover pretty well covers it.
 

Posted by Craig Flanders on Sep 23, 2006 12:18 pm

#5 -  Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: Remote power supply needed to power heat tape.
I hope the 11,000 feet is the altitude you are at and not the distance from your home. :->
But assuming that, we need to know either the amps or watts used by your heat tape. there should be a tag on the heat tape somewhere listing that.
An example 25 gutter de-icing tape at 120 volts uses 2 amps, that translates to 240 watts/hour (AC, remember your panel will put out DC). A fully charge 110 AH battery would power that for about 40 hours w/o drawing the battery too low. A timer to turn off/on would help power consumption (on for 30 min off for 30 min as an example) unless temp is too low that constant heat is needed.
A a general rule these tapes will use approx 10 watts (ac) per foot so the shorter the better. You can buy them by the foot.
Then you would need solar panels with a charge controller to charge a battery, and an inverter to convert the DC from the battery to AC and wiring. If the site is remote from heating the battery box would need to be such that it keeps the battery from freezing, well insulated and with a heat source itself
 

Posted by Craig Flanders on Sep 14, 2006 02:05 pm

#6 -  Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > PWM Inverters
Ok, here's where I need refreshing. Are PWM sine wave output inverters true/pure sine wave? or are these the "near sine-wave" inverters as opposed to Modified sine wave inverters............?      Thanx
 

Posted by Craig Flanders on Sep 13, 2006 08:09 pm

#7 -  AltE > Announcements > Re: Announcing the Renewable Rewards Monthly Drawing!
Great! I knew there was a good reason to contribute here....(besides that great prices and service) :->
 

Posted by Craig Flanders on Sep 11, 2006 02:13 pm

#8 -  Renewable Energy > RE General Discussion > Re: Finanching off the grid
Not directly referring to the financing of the home, but do not forget the IRS tax credits for the solar/wind equipment. Go to the IRS site and search on "solar power tax credit"
 

Posted by Craig Flanders on Sep 9, 2006 02:22 pm

#9 -  Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: Wind noise and vibration of wind generators roof mounted
My point is that having to mount (at least the AIR-X) on a roof, should not necessarily negate the project. My Aix-X is ten feet over a 12 foot structure (A shed, I would not put one on the roof of a house unless it was concrete or earth bermed) I have registered 77 mph straight line winds (in a storm) from the west (my best wind field direction) with no adverse effect to the Air-X ( it shut down at the rated speed) That speed is a bit unusual, but 25-35mph is not. From the west I get good performance. From the Northeast, I get some turbulance "rotating" of the unit and I am raising the unit soon to see what happens. All other directions seem to be at rating per mph as near as i can tell with my limited insturments.
 

Posted by Craig Flanders on Sep 8, 2006 10:54 am

#10 -  Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: Wind noise and vibration of wind generators roof mounted
I would not reccommend that unless you have a concrete, or earthen roof (just in case your house is underground or bermed). I have mine mounted on a shed roof, while the Air-x is a very quiet turbine (outside noise) it will transmit vibration noise thru the structure. Plus on a roof you will get some turbulance. I get good performance and I am only 10 feet above the roof of a 12 foot structure (I think turbulance from the roof itself is over-rated, but I'm not an expert)until the wind comes from the northeast and that turbulance is from my house, but I am limited in locations I can place it. I am raising it to see if I can get away from that turbulance.
 

Posted by Craig Flanders on Sep 8, 2006 10:37 am

#11 -  Renewable Energy > Technical Discussion: Other > Re: Charge controllers and Equalization
I believe most mppt controllers have that feature (Both my Blue Skys' do). Equalization is used only with Flooded lead acid batteries to periodically "condition" the batteries. It helps get rid of bubbles in the electrolyte formed while charging them. Both my Blue sky have a feature to disable that feature which you do NOT want to use with AGM or GEL, will damaged those type of batteries.
 

Posted by Craig Flanders on Sep 7, 2006 09:28 pm

#12 -  Renewable Energy > RE General Discussion > Re: Choosing the best solar panel
Best panels here for the price are the Evergreen, They are Pre-wired very sturdily, connectors are very positive. Evergreen Inc is getting very good rating for their innovation and technology. Mine perform right on the money......
 

Posted by Craig Flanders on Sep 7, 2006 09:24 pm

#13 -  Renewable Energy > RE General Discussion > Re: Best way to connect Air-X wire leads
Air-x reccommends 1 1/2 inch schedule 40 (not very expensive and works very well)piping.It fits very securely to the base of the Air-x. There is enough room within the pipe to use wire nuts, The wires run from the base directly into the pipe. if you stagger the length of the three wires (trim them) so they do not end up with the wire nuts all next to each other. That is what I did, pull them into the pipe carefully after wrapping in electrical tape and you even get a slight amount of cable relief....
Great unit....quiet too....
 

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