Gary from BuiltItSolar is up to things again - PV system - Page 2

Xringer · 01-26-10, 05:42 PM

After looking at a few pictures on the web, I think they are using 4 aluminum pop-rivets
to hold the two cover pans together..

ART TEC - Solar Power - installing inverters

This pic shows screws in the same holes, so it's likely not a production unit..

GaryGary · 01-26-10, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwxr7

Hey Gary, or anyone else with the newest smooth enclosure style Enphase micro inverter.
Does it look like the enclosure can be opened easily on them to get to the circuit board (warranty aside)? I want to get another enphase inverter, but I'm worried I won't be able to modify the new style as easily as the one I have.

Mine is the older original design with the cast aluminum housing with heatsink fins on it. Mine opens very easily with some phillips screws.

thanks

Hi,
I'll take a closer look tomorrow, but I don't remember seeing any way to get them apart -- I had the impression they were a throw it away and get a new one if it does not work sort of part, but I'm not sure about that.
I'll let you know what I can in daylight.

Gary

jwxr7 · 01-27-10, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xringer

After looking at a few pictures on the web, I think they are using 4 aluminum pop-rivets
to hold the two cover pans together..

I see what you mean, thanks.

Quote:

Hi,
I'll take a closer look tomorrow, but I don't remember seeing any way to get them apart -- I had the impression they were a throw it away and get a new one if it does not work sort of part, but I'm not sure about that.
I'll let you know what I can in daylight.

Gary

Thanks Gary, I appreciate it.

GaryGary · 01-27-10, 09:43 AM

Hi,
I had a look while sweeping a couple new inches of snow off the panels this morning -- kind of amazing how much more snow panels at 45 degrees pick up compared to steep panels.

I could not tell a lot. The side I can see is the one in the picture, and they do look like rivets.
I'm not sure about this, but when I was installing them, I noticed that the other side has a red plastic plug in it. When I saw this, the first thing that came to mind was that maybe they are potted and the plug is the hole the potting goes in, but have no idea if this is true or not.

If you find out, I'd be curious to know.

Gary

jwxr7 · 01-27-10, 11:18 AM

Thanks for checking.

Xringer · 01-27-10, 01:26 PM

I just looked a some of the spec sheets for the M190 and it said
" the Micro-inverter is a potted design."..

I also noticed it will work for 1 hour while underwater..
So, maybe that Potted spec is true..

01-27-10, 11:18 AM	#15
jwxr7 Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: mid michigan Posts: 191 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for checking. Last edited by jwxr7; 07-15-10 at 06:51 AM..

01-26-10, 05:42 PM	#11
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	After looking at a few pictures on the web, I think they are using 4 aluminum pop-rivets to hold the two cover pans together.. ART TEC - Solar Power - installing inverters This pic shows screws in the same holes, so it's likely not a production unit..

01-27-10, 09:43 AM	#14
GaryGary Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SW Montana Posts: 139 Thanks: 1 Thanked 21 Times in 15 Posts	Hi, I had a look while sweeping a couple new inches of snow off the panels this morning -- kind of amazing how much more snow panels at 45 degrees pick up compared to steep panels. I could not tell a lot. The side I can see is the one in the picture, and they do look like rivets. I'm not sure about this, but when I was installing them, I noticed that the other side has a red plastic plug in it. When I saw this, the first thing that came to mind was that maybe they are potted and the plug is the hole the potting goes in, but have no idea if this is true or not. If you find out, I'd be curious to know. Gary

01-27-10, 01:26 PM	#16
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	I just looked a some of the spec sheets for the M190 and it said " the Micro-inverter is a potted design.".. I also noticed it will work for 1 hour while underwater.. So, maybe that Potted spec is true..