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Search: Posts Made By: stevehull
Forum: Conservation 01-18-18, 11:29 AM
Replies: 2
Views: 12,337
Posted By stevehull
total cost per month - $58

I now have had a full year of my 12.5 kW solar system. This supplies two houses, a shop, heated shop office, barn, barn office and 2013 Nissan Leaf.

No natural or LP gas, so my electricity bill...
Forum: Introductions 06-28-17, 05:16 PM
Replies: 4
Views: 7,325
Posted By stevehull
Also tell us your energy dreams. We may have...

Also tell us your energy dreams. We may have solutions!

Welcome.

Steve
Forum: Renovations & New Construction 05-24-17, 08:48 AM
Replies: 161
Views: 231,764
Posted By stevehull
Ben, I use the brass lug nuts to connect...

Ben,

I use the brass lug nuts to connect the wires togtether. I also put on anticorission paste before i put wires in. Then I wrap with 3-M tape and do 30-40 wraps. A big ball that I want to...
Forum: The Billiards Room 05-16-17, 10:51 AM
Replies: 7
Views: 7,276
Posted By stevehull
I have literally placed thousands of wooden...

I have literally placed thousands of wooden posts. Treated is essential, but know there are different treatment levels.

The key is to have drainage below the post. I like a minimum of a 30 inch...
Forum: Solar Power 05-05-17, 03:53 PM
Replies: 745
Views: 700,684
Posted By stevehull
Billing period of March 24 - April 23 (30 days),...

Billing period of March 24 - April 23 (30 days), 1780 kWhrs. 12.7 kW STC (48, 265 W panels).

For the month of April (30 days), 1710 kWhrs.

Thanks for the reminder Pinball,


Steve
Forum: Renovations & New Construction 04-09-17, 12:08 PM
Replies: 161
Views: 231,764
Posted By stevehull
Ben - again very nice videos. I also love the...

Ben - again very nice videos. I also love the easy set up using the enphase toolbox on my smart phone.

Here are a few suggestions. The debate on enphase M215 vs 250 microinverters will quickly...
Forum: Renovations & New Construction 03-01-17, 11:30 AM
Replies: 161
Views: 231,764
Posted By stevehull
edited 3/1 2:30 pm central time Ben, ...

edited 3/1 2:30 pm central time

Ben,

Simply superb video. Clear, good visuals added in and understandable. But as the former university professor . . . . . let me suggest a few things. My...
Forum: Solar Power 02-19-17, 06:16 PM
Replies: 9
Views: 8,351
Posted By stevehull
Nokia, As I said before, go to renvu.com as...

Nokia,

As I said before, go to renvu.com as a 5 kW system should be about $1.30 per watt including shipping (total of $6500). The PV system materials are about $1.10 a watt (panels, inverters,...
Forum: Renovations & New Construction 02-15-17, 03:52 PM
Replies: 161
Views: 231,764
Posted By stevehull
Great video! I also second the use of "body...

Great video! I also second the use of "body pannel suction cup pullers". Saved more than one panel . . . . .

On your solar install, I recommend you put the combiner up on the roof under one of...
Forum: Solar Power 01-31-17, 08:49 AM
Replies: 15
Views: 14,255
Posted By stevehull
Ron, The majority of inverters, that are...

Ron,

The majority of inverters, that are designed for grid connect, are 240 V. Other than that, so long as you don't over produce, you are spot on.

I really like the epphase microinverters and...
Forum: Solar Power 01-30-17, 02:59 PM
Replies: 15
Views: 14,255
Posted By stevehull
Most microinverters turn off when they don't get...

Most microinverters turn off when they don't get grid power. But not all - especially the ones made for 100% off grid situations.

But I also like to see an actual disconnect and this can be the...
Forum: Geothermal & Heat Pumps 01-02-17, 07:51 AM
Replies: 83
Views: 61,391
Posted By stevehull
b420 I was going to add my "thanks" to AC's...

b420

I was going to add my "thanks" to AC's prior post, but more needs to be said. The last few posts may have served to discourage you. Please do not - allow me to explain.

People on this...
Forum: Renovations & New Construction 12-17-16, 10:04 PM
Replies: 161
Views: 231,764
Posted By stevehull
"I'm pretty confident about 7 panels across. If I...

"I'm pretty confident about 7 panels across. If I can get away with 8, I'll try it. I still have to go talk to the building inspector and get everything checked out with him ahead of time."


Ben,...
Forum: Renovations & New Construction 12-06-16, 01:39 PM
Replies: 3
Views: 11,319
Posted By stevehull
Don't use black iron pipe - it rusts (on the...

Don't use black iron pipe - it rusts (on the inside) and that rust can block up orifices. Natural gas is "supposed" to be dry - but even a small amount of water vapor causes problems. There is a...
Forum: Renovations & New Construction 12-03-16, 07:53 AM
Replies: 161
Views: 231,764
Posted By stevehull
Pinball - you can now order gluelam beams with a...

Pinball - you can now order gluelam beams with a built in camber. You specify the center static load and they build in and set the camber height during fabrication so when the load is applied the...
Forum: The Billiards Room 12-03-16, 07:37 AM
Replies: 25
Views: 21,499
Posted By stevehull
This is one of those clear areas where "you get...

This is one of those clear areas where "you get what you pay for". A "few" years ago, I purchased an "outrageously" price Fluke meter and have used it hard - and long.

Gone through several...
Forum: Geothermal & Heat Pumps 11-18-16, 05:54 AM
Replies: 10
Views: 17,218
Posted By stevehull
Here is another excellent pdf that shows failures...

Here is another excellent pdf that shows failures in compressors and does show the rolling piston, scroll and true piston in diagrams.

Again, easy to read and lots of helpful visuals.
...
Forum: Geothermal & Heat Pumps 11-18-16, 05:49 AM
Replies: 10
Views: 17,218
Posted By stevehull
Jeff - thank you. Your excellent comments...

Jeff - thank you. Your excellent comments prompted me to go back and relearn some compressor fundamentals.

Attached is short paper that I "thought" I had saved and I did. It goes over the scroll...
Forum: Renovations & New Construction 11-12-16, 10:18 AM
Replies: 161
Views: 231,764
Posted By stevehull
Have you considered some exterior slab closed...

Have you considered some exterior slab closed cell insulation around the footing? Even an inch would prevent a tremendous amount of thermal "bleed" in your Wisconsin winter.

I know its a garage ....
Forum: Solar Power 11-10-16, 08:20 AM
Replies: 157
Views: 125,039
Posted By stevehull
Roostre, I forgot that you are in a snow...

Roostre,

I forgot that you are in a snow belt area (roof loading). I can tell you that the additional static load of the proposed PV system is only a few lbs per sq foot (racking, panels, wire...
Forum: Solar Power 11-10-16, 07:41 AM
Replies: 157
Views: 125,039
Posted By stevehull
Roostre, We appreciate your frustration. ...

Roostre,

We appreciate your frustration. But why did you feel you needed to get a "local solar place" to do your "engineering" and permitting?

There is a lot of expertise on this site - and...
Forum: Renovations & New Construction 11-02-16, 10:05 AM
Replies: 16
Views: 21,027
Posted By stevehull
Nibs - I applaud the use of 12 volt solar and...

Nibs - I applaud the use of 12 volt solar and batteries . . . . but.

The use of a 12 V water pump will be far more energy costly compared to an equal flow 120 V AC pump. Ohm's law dictates that...
Forum: Solar Power 10-29-16, 06:58 AM
Replies: 157
Views: 125,039
Posted By stevehull
CYG, Very interesting first hand experiences...

CYG,

Very interesting first hand experiences with electric coops in your area.

In Oklahoma, I have found few to no problems with coops. One thing that I have found is a killer - surprises.
...
Forum: Other Improvements 10-26-16, 11:34 AM
Replies: 18
Views: 19,011
Posted By stevehull
Daox, Don't feel bad . . . . Teflon...

Daox,

Don't feel bad . . . .

Teflon pipe tape works great if the threads are in good shape. More recently, the quality of metal pipe threading has gone to hell.

I never had leaks, in the...
Forum: Solar Power 10-17-16, 04:02 PM
Replies: 157
Views: 125,039
Posted By stevehull
Do a 22 panel install on the house south facing...

Do a 22 panel install on the house south facing roof first, then the east facing garage dormer and lastly the shop.

A 22 panel system is easy, quick, inexpensive and gets you going.

The...
Showing results 1 to 25 of 122

 
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