Monkeys with wrenches, Chickens with electricity, and other things that don’t make sense-A day in the life of an off-grid solar installer

[TimeBandit]

Great write up.

The chicken and his wife have full command of git 'er done.

Keep it coming.

 

[monkeyswrench]

@The Chicken , Just so we're clear, those were Knipex, not Channel Lock's....

 

[poncho]

@The Chicken , Just so we're clear, those were Knipex, not Channel Lock's....

View attachment 1413700

You sound like my electrician friend.

 

[The Chicken]

@The Chicken , Just so we're clear, those were Knipex, not Channel Lock's....

View attachment 1413700

Ha!
I saw they were Knipex, and wondered if you'd get all out of shape when I called the channel locks.
I coulda called them water pump pliers.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Ha!
I saw they were Knipex, and wondered if you'd get all out of shape when I called the channel locks.
I coulda called them water pump pliers.

I have a pair of "Alligator XXL's"...cartoonish, and the teeth put a Rigid pipe wrench to shame. They'll mess some stuff up, kind of the last resort before the hot wrench comes out I've had really good luck with Knipex...I'd never heard of them before 5 or so years ago.

 

[The Chicken]

Wednesday, 4:30 am. We rolled out of bed and I immediately wondered what truck ran me over in the middle of the night.

I was sore. Everywhere. Why?! It took me a couple minutes to figure out why.

Tuesday I half fell, bounced, and slid down a half flight of stairs when one of my bootlace loops somehow snagged the other boot.

Apparently skidding down a bunch of stairs supported only by your stiff right arm sliding down a hand rail, and a stiff left leg bouncing down successive steps, while your other two limbs flail hopelessly in attempt to regain an upright orientation is hard on your body.

I think I would have been better off to have just let go and fall all the way. LOL.

Anyway, it was a rough start and I would remain stiff and sore all day.

My morning consisted of preparing and installing a couple of 1” conduits for the roof penetrations for the solar circuits.

At roof level. I installed some strut to hold the stub ups nice and secure, then we installed steel roof rubber roof jacks and sealed everything up good.

Meanwhile, while I was working hard on conduits, it turns out Denise had her mind in the gutter.

She bolted the two gutter pieces together, I cut the end down to length, and she drilled and installed the last end cap. 13’ of 12x12 gutter ready to mount.

Before we hang the gutter, which is pretty much the foundation that every other component mounts to, we put blue tape up on the wall and measure everything out one last time as a double check and a sorta guide for component placement. The adjustable Sumner jack stands hold the gutter at just the right height and allow us to get it perfectly level. Or at least as perfectly level as some of these bent up gutters have been lately.

Once the gutter is level and held by a few screws to the wall, it’s our last chance to make sure that the batteries are going to fit like we planned.

At this point, I turned over the task of locating and drilling all the holes for the three inverters to Denise. A task that requires precision and patience, because if you have even one hole off, nothing fits right and it’s about impossible to fix. Now, we do have a secret weapon or two for this task. More on those later.

Here’s Denise drilling the first holes.

While Denise had her mind fully in the gutter, I went to another part of the camp to finish up some mapping and planning for the power tie-in that we would be doing soon

Remember awhile back I mentioned generators? Well, for decades, this camp has basically run entirely off of diesel generator power. They have three different generators of various sizes and ages, and apparently it’s a given that at least one of them will break down every year, which is why they keep all three of them so they always have one to run camp. Currently, the newest and biggest one is out of action and torn down because a pressed on cooling fan departed the water pump and headed for another zip code.

Here’s a glimpse inside the generator shed with the generators and some of the electrical gear. We will be back in this room soon doing some additions and modifications.

I also had to go to another part of camp and figure out our tie-in to that location.

This is the stuff of a professional electricians nightmares.

After looking at that, uh, creative collection, I went back to help keep Denise's mind in the gutter.

Here she is with the completed knockouts in the gutter for all three inverters and one of our secret weapons-a custom CNC plasma cut and engraved template I make that makes locating the inverters, their conduit knockouts, and the mounting hardware a snap and pretty fool proof.

Then we muscled the first inverter up into place. Like the first solar panel getting mounted, it’s always great to get the inverter mounted.

In short order, all three inverters were up and in place, and Denise went to work tightening all the conduit fittings.

The last thing we did for the day was get a couple of the battery racks roughed into place to mock up for the battery cables and 48 volt power distribution.

The week is disappearing way too quickly, and we have a lot of ground to cover in the next two days. Our original schedule was to have the solar power system up and running on it’s own by the end of week two, which is only two days away. With all the setbacks, plus some other disruptions going on in the background here that I hope to be able to share later, it’s looking doubtful that we will be able to power up in the next two days.

We shall see!

 

[HNL2LHC]

Dang it has been a while since I last saw @monkeyswrench. Looks like he lost a few more fingers. At least he still has the important ones.

 

[The Chicken]

As an old retired Comm/Ind Sparky, I find this thread captivating and extremely entertaining. I am however conflicted if I should thank you or curse you, as the anxiety is causing me to grind what's left of my teeth down to nubs.
Like a horrific traffic accident, I tell myself, "Just look away, move to another thread", but I can't stop myself from continuing.

The only proper thing to do is share this thread link with my contractor son ---- yeah baby

Seriously, you guys make an amazing team and it's causing my mind to replay memories of so many different, yet similar "Mondays".

The logistics and many various challenges of your project reminds me of over 30 years ago when we replaced and buried the entire electrical infrastructure of a huge Boy Scout Camp tucked away in a remote mountain valley. It to was a long drive and then finally accessed by about 11 miles of narrow, jarring, winding dirt road.
There were a few days when I had a large crew on site for big all day wire pulls, or setting large gear sections, but the majority of that summer I had two young electricians and a backhoe operator living at the camp.
I had no problem recruiting these young volunteers after they'd spotted the "Camp Counselors". Most of them were cute college girls from various colleges earning credits while making some dollars, getting free room and board, and spending a summer in an amazing location with almost endless recreational activities.

We've got 40 acres of prepped land in the Peacocks up above Hackberry. I notice posts on our local area Facebook page seeking Off-Grid Electrical Contractors.
These would be small single residence jobs. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending you if you're interested in traveling from Ft. Rock to that area for small jobs.

Again, Thank You

Ha! The Boy Scout camp job sounds cool.
These remote jobs are logistically and personally challenging. Fortunately, a lifetime of off roading, camping, a childhood spent in Baja, and a lifetime spent fixing all manner of things because there simply was nobody else to do it have made Denise and I pretty well equipped to do this kind of work.
I am disappointed, however, to report that there are no college hotties here. I feel I've been shortchanged!
We live on 40 acres just east of Kingman, and we typically do what I would call upscale residential off grid installs. But we have done everything from off-grid RVs to off-grid schools and everything in between, and cover the better part of Arizona , including Kingman area. We are not for everyone-we are not nor do we intend to be the "cheapest". We strive to provide quality work and service at a reasonable price, and we are picky about the the quality of the gear and the install. You are not going to find miles of flex looking like some sort of sick octopus on any of our jobs. Drives me crazy. Probably a result of my commercial/industrial background. Anyway, we'd love to install more stuff, no matter how small or big (well-we do have limits on how big two people can do, LOL.) and I certainly appreciate your compliments and recommendation.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Dang it has been a while since I last saw @monkeyswrench. Looks like he lost a few more fingers. At least he still has the important ones.

View attachment 1413973

This is the kind of pic one gets when they say "Smile!"...I'm not normally the photographed type. Heck, there aren't but maybe two pics of me on the web....
If I go dark, they found me!

 

[wash11]

This is the kind of pic one gets when they say "Smile!"...I'm not normally the photographed type. Heck, there aren't but maybe two pics of me on the web....
If I go dark, they found me!

I think there might have been two pics of Denise on the internet until this thread as well. What we are witnessing here is either some personal growth, drinking on the job or most likely, Dan getting the middle finger after each photo

 

[The Chicken]

I think there might have been two pics of Denise on the internet until this thread as well. What we are witnessing here is either some personal growth, drinking on the job or most likely, Dan getting the middle finger after each photo

It would appear Kevin and Denise are both tired of me taking pictures.

 

[RichL]

View attachment 1414385


It would appear Kevin and Denise are both tired of me taking pictures.

Oh please don't stop now.

 

[The Chicken]

Thursday was a busy day but didn’t look like a whole lot of progress. We had a long meeting with the head of maintenance about some stuff that hopefully we will be able to post about later.

We did get the roof junction boxes and conduit started finally.

Got another big rain storm.

While I was busy beating the knockouts on a panel, a local came over to see what all the noise was about.

She was about 40 yards away, and couldn’t care less that we were there.

The inverter room is coming together. Too slowly, but progress nonetheless.

At the end of the long day, it was time for a staff cocktail meeting at the scissor lift to plan Friday’s work day.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Ok, this post here is for everyone else...Dan, skip this. You'll disagree (and be wrong)

Dan is an electrician by trade, that's pretty obvious. What most of us may miss are the other things. Sure, another sparky may look at the work and appreciate what went into it. This being a boating site, let me draw a parallel, ever look at how a DCB or such is rigged? It's like that. Sure, there are zipties, but the spacing is like a jig was used. The conduits are bent like a someone building headers. It's stuff like that.

This brings me to something else. The electrical stuff is cool and all, but not exactly everything. He happens to be a damn gifted fabricator. If a part doesn't exist, he can make it! As a half-ass hot rod guy turned mechanical maintenance and repair guy, there's nothing I can do that he can't do much better, and with some tools I may not have seen before. (It does make it a little nerve-wracking doing work for him. Also pretty cool that he let's me work on his stuff...even with channel locks )

 

[HNL2LHC]

Ok, this post here is for everyone else...Dan, skip this. You'll disagree (and be wrong)

Dan is an electrician by trade, that's pretty obvious. What most of us may miss are the other things. Sure, another sparky may look at the work and appreciate what went into it. This being a boating site, let me draw a parallel, ever look at how a DCB or such is rigged? It's like that. Sure, there are zipties, but the spacing is like a jig was used. The conduits are bent like a someone building headers. It's stuff like that.

This brings me to something else. The electrical stuff is cool and all, but not exactly everything. He happens to be a damn gifted fabricator. If a part doesn't exist, he can make it! As a half-ass hot rod guy turned mechanical maintenance and repair guy, there's nothing I can do that he can't do much better, and with some tools I may not have seen before. (It does make it a little nerve-wracking doing work for him. Also pretty cool that he let's me work on his stuff...even with channel locks )

So is this a how to tell Dan you are looking for free solar on the school house without telling him. I know Kevin. I will say it to for you so you don‘t have to….

I hope that you all have a good Friday and a great weekend. BTW, you were hoping to have this completed today. What do you think the revised completion date is?

 

[monkeyswrench]

So is this a how to tell Dan you are looking for free solar on the school house without telling him. I know Kevin. I will say it to for you so you don‘t have to….

View attachment 1414621

I hope that you all have a good Friday and a great weekend. BTW, you were hoping to have this completed today. What do you think the revised completion date is?

Nah, not looking for free solar, but eventually will get back to my solar generator project. You should go on his website, and look at the RV park setup. For your property out in the hills, would be a perfect setup, pretty much built into and on a connex box.

 

[Taboma]

Nah, not looking for free solar, but eventually will get back to my solar generator project. You should go on his website, and look at the RV park setup. For your property out in the hills, would be a perfect setup, pretty much built into and on a connex box.

Web site ? Did I miss a posted link ?
How's Dan feel about --- no, not the Russians (), but which brand of cable ties he prefers on his DCB-like Solar Installs that hold up best in the extreme heat and UV ?

 

[HNL2LHC]

Nah, not looking for free solar, but eventually will get back to my solar generator project. You should go on his website, and look at the RV park setup. For your property out in the hills, would be a perfect setup, pretty much built into and on a connex box.

I know this has me thinking. Pick up 2 53’ containers and put them together cut out walls for doors make doors out of the cut of the cut out material and close everything up when not there. Could be a nice little camp like the Johnson valley guys. Then we get up there and explore from time to time and I will be able to stalk you and Joel on the regular. LOL

But the good thing is that electricity is not the issue as there are power poles running along the east side of the property. I assume that is where the in-laws tapped into it 30 years ago when they built 2 properties away.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Web site ? Did I miss a posted link ?

How's Dan feel about --- no, not the Russians (), but which brand of cable ties he prefers on his DCB-like Solar Installs that hold up best in the extreme heat and UV ?

It's somewhere in here. Hell, I didn't know about it until this thread

As for zipties, I don't know, but they sure aren't the cheapies from Harbor Freight. (And he's damn militant about me flush cutting them on his stuff)

 

[Waterjunky]

As for zipties, I don't know, but they sure aren't the cheapies from Harbor Freight. (And he's damn militant about me flush cutting them on his stuff)

There's nothing wrong with that! I am the same way on my projects. I don't use the harbor freight or home depot zip ties. use some of the better ones and you will know why. As for flush cut, well, I have a specific set of cutters I use. The first time you have to have a serious debate about going to the ER and getting sewn shut from snagging your arm on one some fool cut with a razor sharp 3/16" stick out you kinda get that way. People give me a hard time about things like this but they all love working on my stations when they are done. They also love that I don't seem to have nearly as many issues for little things....... And yet they don't always put it all together. Do it once and do it right.

I'm totally with you Dan!

 

[Taboma]

It's somewhere in here. Hell, I didn't know about it until this thread

As for zipties, I don't know, but they sure aren't the cheapies from Harbor Freight. (And he's damn militant about me flush cutting them on his stuff)

Aha, found it back on pg 1 In case others missed it the first time: https://dre-solar.com/dre-work-trailer-we-do-rvs-too/

 

[wash11]

I know this has me thinking. Pick up 2 53’ containers and put them together cut out walls for doors make doors out of the cut of the cut out material and close everything up when not there. Could be a nice little camp like the Johnson valley guys. Then we get up there and explore from time to time and I will be able to stalk you and Joel on the regular. LOL

But the good thing is that electricity is not the issue as there are power poles running along the east side of the property. I assume that is where the in-laws tapped into it 30 years ago when they built 2 properties away.

This is Chicken Dans creation using a 20’ container I had. It powers 4 RV spots and a huge commercial freezer for way less than one might think.

 

[HNL2LHC]

View attachment 1414799 View attachment 1414800
This is Chicken Dans creation using a 20’ container I had. It powers 4 RV spots and a huge commercial freezer for way less than one might think.

Thanks Joel!! Always looking at options. The wife would not want to Live there 24/7 but summers are a bit much. Once my business is not full time this could be an option, The challenge is that I am not willing to put the $$$$ on the property unless it is occupied/protected most of the time.

 

[The Chicken]

Ok, this post here is for everyone else...Dan, skip this. You'll disagree (and be wrong)

Dan is an electrician by trade, that's pretty obvious. What most of us may miss are the other things. Sure, another sparky may look at the work and appreciate what went into it. This being a boating site, let me draw a parallel, ever look at how a DCB or such is rigged? It's like that. Sure, there are zipties, but the spacing is like a jig was used. The conduits are bent like a someone building headers. It's stuff like that.

This brings me to something else. The electrical stuff is cool and all, but not exactly everything. He happens to be a damn gifted fabricator. If a part doesn't exist, he can make it! As a half-ass hot rod guy turned mechanical maintenance and repair guy, there's nothing I can do that he can't do much better, and with some tools I may not have seen before. (It does make it a little nerve-wracking doing work for him. Also pretty cool that he let's me work on his stuff...even with channel locks )

Thanks for the kind words Amigo.

 

[The Chicken]

So is this a how to tell Dan you are looking for free solar on the school house without telling him. I know Kevin. I will say it to for you so you don‘t have to….

View attachment 1414621

I hope that you all have a good Friday and a great weekend. BTW, you were hoping to have this completed today. What do you think the revised completion date is?

Our original proposed total project completion date is actually this coming Friday. Total of three weeks on site.
With the setbacks I’ve shown here, and some other delays that we’ve had that are actually positive ( if that doesn’t make sense, I hope to clarify it later) we are about 3 days behind schedule. Not great, but not bad considering.
We are back on site today ( Monday of week 3) albeit a bit later than we would have liked due to a positive delay.
So we are hoping to have this finished middle of next week.
But it turns out that we will likely be on site quite a bit longer. Stay tuned!

 

[The Chicken]

Web site ? Did I miss a posted link ?
How's Dan feel about --- no, not the Russians (), but which brand of cable ties he prefers on his DCB-like Solar Installs that hold up best in the extreme heat and UV ?

Thomas&Betts Tywrap with the stainless tang.
Nothing else compares.
I got tired years ago trying to “save” money with lesser zip ties.

Our website is pretty cool, thanks to Rivermobster.

DRE-Solar – Off-Grid Solar Installations in Northern Arizona

Done Right Electrial - We Specialize in Quality Installations of Off-Grid Solar Based Power Systems.

dre-solar.com

 

[The Chicken]

There's nothing wrong with that! I am the same way on my projects. I don't use the harbor freight or home depot zip ties. use some of the better ones and you will know why. As for flush cut, well, I have a specific set of cutters I use. The first time you have to have a serious debate about going to the ER and getting sewn shut from snagging your arm on one some fool cut with a razor sharp 3/16" stick out you kinda get that way. People give me a hard time about things like this but they all love working on my stations when they are done. They also love that I don't seem to have nearly as many issues for little things....... And yet they don't always put it all together. Do it once and do it right.

I'm totally with you Dan!

This.
And this is also how I became a zip tie Nazi too.
Reached into the engine bay of someone’s race truck and pulled a hand and arm out that looked like I went noodling for catfish in a pond of razor blades.

 

[The Chicken]

Friday, week two:
There wasn’t much visual progress on Friday, and a considerable amount of time was spent in some meetings, and figuring out the logistics of getting the last load of parts onsite for next week’s push.

Around noon, it was time to roll up our show and hit the road.
The inverter room is starting to take shape and is looking good.
Now that Kevin had the Freightshaker back in operation, we would be taking it for the trip back home, which was unplanned but necessary for what we had to haul back to the job come Monday.

We spent Saturday trying to catch up on sleep, laundry ( ok-I actually didn’t do shit with laundry. Denise thankfully handles that, or we’d both be wearing shit that had somehow turned pink in the wash if I did laundry ), and trying to relax a little.
We spent Sunday fishing our excavator out of the job it was on to load on a trailer.

Monday morning was final load up and prepping the excavator and it’s gaggle of attachments for a trip.
One excavator, two regular buckets, one tilting bucket, one bad-ass rock bucket, and one hammer, getting their final load check before hitting the freeway and heading to the mountain.

If you’re wondering why the hell we need an excavator for a roof mount solar installation-stay tuned.
That was about all for Monday as most of the day was spent on the road.

Teaser for Tuesday’s agenda-my wife is going to strip tomorrow.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Friday, week two:
There wasn’t much visual progress on Friday, and a considerable amount of time was spent in some meetings, and figuring out the logistics of getting the last load of parts onsite for next week’s push.

Around noon, it was time to roll up our show and hit the road.
The inverter room is starting to take shape and is looking good.
Now that Kevin had the Freightshaker back in operation, we would be taking it for the trip back home, which was unplanned but necessary for what we had to haul back to the job come Monday.

View attachment 1416030

We spent Saturday trying to catch up on sleep, laundry ( ok-I actually didn’t do shit with laundry. Denise thankfully handles that, or we’d both be wearing shit that had somehow turned pink in the wash if I did laundry ), and trying to relax a little.
We spent Sunday fishing our excavator out of the job it was on to load on a trailer.

Monday morning was final load up and prepping the excavator and it’s gaggle of attachments for a trip.
One excavator, two regular buckets, one tilting bucket, one bad-ass rock bucket, and one hammer, getting their final load check before hitting the freeway and heading to the mountain.

View attachment 1416031

View attachment 1416032

View attachment 1416033

If you’re wondering why the hell we need an excavator for a roof mount solar installation-stay tuned.
That was about all for Monday as most of the day was spent on the road.

Teaser for Tuesday’s agenda-my wife is going to strip tomorrow.

Are you going to attend RE+ ? If so I’d love to meet you guys, also who is your rep for SolARK? I deal with Lauren and Ella, love that crew!!

 

[The Chicken]

Are you going to attend RE+ ? If so I’d love to meet you guys, also who is your rep for SolARK? I deal with Lauren and Ella, love that crew!!

It doesn’t look like we will be able to go.
We had the great good fortune to go last year, it was pretty damn cool.
We have met Lauren on several occasions.
We actually don’t have a SolArk rep.
As a very small company with a limited number of installs per year, we are kinda unique. We do a lot of business with and through Northern Arizona Solar.

 

[The Chicken]

Monday had one other event-rain.
We got here about an hour before the rain hit.
When that rain turned to hail, this roof was crazy loud.

 

[Taboma]

Thomas&Betts Tywrap with the stainless tang.
Nothing else compares.
I got tired years ago trying to “save” money with lesser zip ties.

Our website is pretty cool, thanks to Rivermobster.

DRE-Solar – Off-Grid Solar Installations in Northern Arizona

Done Right Electrial - We Specialize in Quality Installations of Off-Grid Solar Based Power Systems.

dre-solar.com

The reason I inquired about your choice of Cable Ties for this application was because of your obvious well above average attention to detail.
When we wired the fusion research reactor I found myself immersed in a new and very specialized world of required trade components and materials I'd never needed or encountered prior.
One such item were application specific Cable Ties for different areas of use.
I'd ordered and used cable ties of various sizes and types for years, but other than a couple of specialized, like plenum or fire rated, I'd order T&B, Panduit or Ideal, usually a good stainless tang Nylon 6/6.
I'd never really knew or cared that there were several sub-categories of Nylon 6/6. Some are heat stabilized with very poor UV qualities, others are not heat stabilized, but UV stabilized, others still are weather resistant, and yet appear the same.
For this very special project, some areas required the green Tezel Fluoropolymer radiation resistant ones, and you won't find those at Home Depot.

The quality level of your install is exceptional, I know what exceptional costs in this line of work, I'm surprised this client can afford you and likewise.

 

[rivermobster]

This.
And this is also how I became a zip tie Nazi too.
Reached into the engine bay of someone’s race truck and pulled a hand and arm out that looked like I went noodling for catfish in a pond of razor blades.

Been there, done that. I freaking hate zip ties for this Exact reason!!!

But, I had to look these up. I may have to order some soon...

Thomas and Betts TR TY526MX Cable TIE 30LB 11" UV BL (Pack of 100) https://a.co/d/cLUCKfl

 

[The Chicken]

Been there, done that. I freaking hate zip ties for this Exact reason!!!

But, I had to look these up. I may have to order some soon...

Thomas and Betts TR TY526MX Cable TIE 30LB 11" UV BL (Pack of 100) https://a.co/d/cLUCKfl

That’s step one.
Then you need to purchase step two to really experience how zip ties should be:

Amazon.com

 

[Sandlord]

I don’t even cut the tails off my zip ties.

But then again, they’re just holding my trash bag closed.

 

[The Chicken]

I don’t even cut the tails off my zip ties.

But then again, they’re just holding my trash bag closed.

HEATHEN!!!

 

[poncho]

That’s step one.
Then you need to purchase step two to really experience how zip ties should be:

Amazon.com

I use their zip ties and their crimpers.

 

[The Chicken]

As promised, here’s a video of my wife stripping today.

 

[monkeyswrench]

As promised, here’s a video of my wife stripping today.


View attachment 1416411

Stripping with power tools no less...they charge extra for that some places!

 

[poncho]

As promised, here’s a video of my wife stripping today.


View attachment 1416411

Your a lucky man.

 

[The Chicken]

Tuesday-today is battery cable day.
Lots of battery cables.
Once we figure out what length of cable is going to work for the batteries-they ALL have to be the same length, which makes it hard to make them look nice, which drives me crazy-then we cut all the cables, strip then, crimp them, and put on adhesive lined heat shrink.
It makes for a long, tedious day with this many batteries.
Plus, the batteries get loaded into the racks, flexible conduits built, and knockouts made in the appropriate spots.
Here’s Denise assembling the battery buss bars onto the batteries loaded up in a rack.

The beginning of starting to manage a lot of 2/0 and 4/0 cables.

And here’s an ugly truth-“green” energy makes a lot of trash. We’ve filled the back of our Polaris I don’t know how many times and made at least 10 yards of trash.

And then, here’s a story within a story:
A long time friend of mine, Kevin Holmgreen, is our outside sales rep for one of our electrical parts suppliers. He tells me he’s out fishing with a friend of his on Sunday and they get to talking about what they have to do for work the coming week. Kevin mentions he has to go deliver parts to this out of the way camp in the mountains, and his fishing buddy says hey! I’ve been reading a story about some guy named Chicken working up in that area! LOL. Small world. Never did catch Kevin’s friends name-but hello whoever you are here!
Here’s Kevin delivering-

Back awhile ago, I mentioned we had a couple secret weapons for making these inverter installs easier, and I showed you our custom template.
Well, here is our other secret weapon-the Milwaukee electric/hydraulic knockout tool.

It’s hands down the best and by far the fastest knockout tool I’ve ever used.
Here’s Denise effortlessly making some 3” conduit holes in just a few seconds.

Anyway, it was an entire day of assembling batteries, cables, and conduits.
Here’s what the batteries looked like all installed but not yet wired up to the buss bars.

We put color coding on every trio of batteries and their respective cables so that we can keep track of them and troubleshoot faster if needed.
One of the next steps will to be to turn each of the 30 batteries on and off one at a time and record their voltage, which will be written on that blue painters tape. This allows us to make sure all the batteries are within.5 volt before inter connecting them to prevent excessive current surges upon start up.

And finally, here’s what we had at the end of the day.

 

[wash11]

What are the specs on this system? Batteries/amp hours, output at full loads etc......

 

[TimeBandit]

Years ago I had a neighbor who was a controls electrician mostly manufacturing. He was a neat freak. If you saw the spa he self installed and how the pipes and wiring were laid out your jaw would hit the ground.

Show car quality.

It's always nice to see good work done by people who care.

 

[Taboma]

Stripping with power tools no less...they charge extra for that some places!

Hell, that's a new one on me.
Knowing how much I spent on Chiropractors just from lugging a single bag and pouch with hand tools that included a Yankee, I cringe seeing today's electricians with their 10 pound array of cordless tools dangling off their belts. Now instead of a razor knife they can also haul around a $ 300, 4 pound cable stripper.

 

[Sandlord]

Hell, that's a new one on me.
Knowing how much I spent on Chiropractors just from lugging a single bag and pouch with hand tools that included a Yankee, I cringe seeing today's electricians with their 10 pound array of cordless tools dangling off their belts. Now instead of a razor knife they can also haul around a $ 300, 4 pound cable stripper.

It’s easier to move all those tools when you have an assistant. Right Dan?

 

[n2otoofast4u]

Hell, that's a new one on me.
Knowing how much I spent on Chiropractors just from lugging a single bag and pouch with hand tools that included a Yankee, I cringe seeing today's electricians with their 10 pound array of cordless tools dangling off their belts. Now instead of a razor knife they can also haul around a $ 300, 4 pound cable stripper.

But there are far less 801s when the razor knife stays in the bag!

 

[Taboma]

It’s easier to move all those tools when you have an assistant. Right Dan?

Oh, so I need one of these to keep up with modern tech and innovation ? Progress, ain't it marvelous

 

[Taboma]

But there are far less 801s when the razor knife stays in the bag!

Sadly, in today's world, you are correct sir.

I make that statement of course with absolutely no reference to Monkey's with wrenches or Solar installing chickens with electricity.

 

[angiebaby]

Thanks Kevin. Heard great things about Jerome. Might have to check it out once these days.

Jerome is a fun town. We should do a trip this fall or after New Years. Oh, and there is a good wine-tasting scene in Cottonwood.

 

[Sandlord]

Thanks Kevin. Heard great things about Jerome. Might have to check it out once these days.

Take the turn at the fire station and visit the King Mine. It was pretty cool