A Shed Downunder.

[1/2 Cup]

I don't understand. How does ventilation work?

It works purely on convection, hot air rises then the vent is turned extracting the warm/hot air out and draws in cooler air to the shed at the same time or if there is a slight breeze the ventilator turns drawing out the warm/stale air as well. They require no power at all and are very popular here in Australia.
Here is a link that explains their operation better than I can.

Cheers

http://www.solarwhiz.com.au/whirlybird-roof-ventilator/

 

[1/2 Cup]

The Solar installation - Brief Update - day 1. Performance Review

Its Friday evening here as type this and I have just checked todays solar performance numbers.
It has been clear and very sunny at around 41 C here today which can markedly effect any arrays performance but we achieved an amazing 37 KWH generated.
I do not think much got back into the grid with Mrs 1/2 Cup having every air conditioner on in the house when I got home from work. however the house was nice and cool.

More tomorrow, have a good one

 

[SBogaCH]

АХРЕНЕТЬ! 37kWh! It's awesome!
that we have not enough of the sun. It is bad(

 

[1/2 Cup]

Yet another hot weekend with temperatures predicted well over the 100 F for both days and no relief in sight till next Tuesday, I will be keeping a close eye on the solar system and monitoring its performance.
At work we have some fairly sophisticated power monitoring and data logging equipment so I plan to, in the near future hook it up to the electrical installation here in order to gain a better understanding of just how the solar system works and interacts with the grid.
A grid connected solar system is a real novelty to me in terms of its functionality and having very little exposure to them until now. When I first started at my current place of employment some 15 years ago we had around 30 off grid solar installations along with one of the largest SCADA communications networks in the Southern Hemisphere that I maintained from an electrical and communications point of view, which, over that time has now grown to around 10,000 remotely controlled and operated sites that are primarily used for rural water distribution, irrigation infrastructure, pumping, environmental water flow monitoring and bulk water storage dams operations covering over 1/3 of the state of Victoria.


The to do list this weekend;

. I left the lawns last weekend due to the expected temperatures that eventuated so as result they have grown heaps and it will be a struggle to get through them now.

. Trim a few more of the neighbours trees to prevent any shading on the solar panels in the late afternoon.

. Reinstall the ceiling tiles and insulation batts that I had removed for access to run the cabling for the solar.

. Complete a number of small tidy up tasks on the solar installation.

. I now have a trailer load of tree branches that I will take out to my sisters place as she has a bonfire pile which we ceremoniously burn every year after the summer Fire Restrictions have been lifted. It sure beats paying waste transfer fees at the local waste management station.

. At this point I am reasonably happy with the Fabrication Bench with only the six stainless steel draws to make and fit, once again I am waiting on a friend of a friend to cut and fold the stainless sheet so It may be a while before these are completed. The bench has proven to be very functional.

. I aim to do a little more on Retro Industrial Tables timber top if time and temperature permits as well.

. As you may have guessed, space and the room to swing a cat are at a premium in the Shed Downunder, so I have decided to "loan" my mobile work bench / tool storage cabinet to my eldest son who over a number of years has expressed his interest in it for his garage.
Having built the unit some 30 years ago as I had access to sheet metal gear at an Electrical Switchboard manufacturing business that I was working for at the time.
I have spent some time over the last week sorting and rehousing all the equipment and tools that were stored in it so he can take to his place this weekend and that will help markedly in terms of my never ending quest for more space.


View media item 27587


1/2 Cup

 

[andyaus]

Great job again, We would like to get a solar system installed too after the roof has been refurbished I'm curious to know If you are familiar with the Seggafredo Family up the in Shepp ?

 

[1/2 Cup]

Great job again, We would like to get a solar system installed too after the roof has been refurbished I'm curious to know If you are familiar with the Seggafredo Family up the in Shepp ?

Thanks

I would go for it, you will need to have pre approval from your supply authority, this was brought in late last year, and they are only permitting up to 30% solar feed in from each transformer locally.

A friend of ours in Ballarat got caught out, as his solar company did not apply for the pre approval then installed the $16k system and now is required to pay $25k for Powercor to upgrade the transformer before they will allow him to feed into the grid, true story and not an urban myth.

I certainly know the name for sure.

 

[1/2 Cup]

The Solar installation - Brief Update - day 2. Performance Review.

Another hot day with 41 C again, I had an early start in the Shed Downunder to beat the heat then pulled the pin in the shed around lunch time.
Our solar out put for the day was the same as yesterdays effort of 37 KWH

The sheds sub switchboard additions for the solar include the three white 20 amp circuit breakers on the top row labelled "Solar Supply Main Switch", these isolate each of the arrays then feed back into the grid from the load side of the Main isolator to the left and of course there is the mandatory warning and isolation procedure labels.

View media item 37540
A general over view of how we set up the Energy Communications Unit (ECU) in the shed office.

View media item 37541
The ECU displays very basic information, real time solar input, cumulative solar input totaliser, system address and web connectivety status. This unit talks wirelessly to each of the inverter units then feeds that information via the structured home network data cabling back to our router in the house from where this data is displayed on each of our home computers with a neat software package that gives you real time and historic information, trending, individual panel and inverter performance, alarming and fault data and grid voltage and frequency etc.

View media item 37542

An overall shot of the panel installation and layout on the shed roof fairly late in the day.
To put the picture in perspective in terms of the size of the shed it is 30 ft long x 25 ft wide and the picture is taken from the house roof.

View media item 37543

1/2 Cup

 

[HOTFR8]

I count 24 panels, is that correct ? All 80 or 120 Watts ? ( I must have missed that ) I would have concerns about the wireless connection to the router. How is it protected from being hacked ?

I still say you should have a battery back up as when the power fails your panels do nothing.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I count 24 panels, is that correct ? All 80 or 120 Watts ? ( I must have missed that ) I would have concerns about the wireless connection to the router. How is it protected from being hacked ?

I still say you should have a battery back up as when the power fails your panels do nothing.

HOTFR8,

There is 24 x 250 watt panels in groups of 8. This totals 6 KW.

I terms of hacking there is encryption and firewall protection specifically on the Energy Contol Unit.

Now that the system is installed I want to firstly get to know and understand just how it ticks, then I can play. as i have some ideas mulling around in this little pea brain I would like to try and that will include a battery back up system, can't give too much away on that score yet but it involves procurement of some redundant I.T. UPS units.

 

[captain14]

I have not been threw you entire thread yet but will put it on my reading list this week. Does your government give you any tax credit or incentive to install this? I believe the US Federal Govt has something in place. It s great that you can sell excess power back to the supplier if I have read that right. You are doing the right thing in this project.

Good luck

 

[sandmanracing]

The setup looks good 1/2 Cup - just found our inverter is not working at all. What is the brand of the setup you have?

Also HotFR8 - other than the usual caveat that if someone wants to get in, they will; these are a few simple steps to secure your wireless network:

1. Change the login name and password for the router (e.g. not "Admin" and "Password")
2. Change the default SSID and also hide it (SSID=Network name) so it is harder to find it out initially

Fully agree with the UPS suggestion too. I have a full range of them available from APC and Eaton if you are interested in pricing.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Sandmanracing , The system package was supplied and installed by ZEN Energy,
there are 12 small APS inverters (#309) mounted directly underneath the panels outputting AC from there.

What breed of inverter do you have?

I am almost paranoid about our network security at the best of times. Thanks for the tip.

At work our IT guys use a heap of Eaton Powerware units with the extended battery modules. I might take you up on the pricing offer at some point down the track, when I have worked out my next move.

 

[sandmanracing]

Cheers for that info 1/2 Cup.

The inverter is a CMS2000 from Carbon Management Systems. It was the largest system that my parents could install (2008) without being classed as a producer (Thanks Peter Batchelor!) and had been working well for a while.

It was only when Mum mentioned that they got a $15 credit for power that made me check the inverter yesterday. Got someone coming out tomorrow to check it out.

I have sold and used APC gear for some 20 years now, and the Eaton gear for about 5. APC are part of Siemens (have been for a few years) and their surge boards are bundled with every new PC system I sell.

I have access to the full range, so just let me know what you are after when you are ready.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Cheers for that info 1/2 Cup.

The inverter is a CMS2000 from Carbon Management Systems. It was the largest system that my parents could install (2008) without being classed as a producer (Thanks Peter Batchelor!) and had been working well for a while.

It was only when Mum mentioned that they got a $15 credit for power that made me check the inverter yesterday. Got someone coming out tomorrow to check it out.

I have sold and used APC gear for some 20 years now, and the Eaton gear for about 5. APC are part of Siemens (have been for a few years) and their surge boards are bundled with every new PC system I sell.

I have access to the full range, so just let me know what you are after when you are ready.

Let us know how you get on with the inverter.

Cheers, will do.

 

[HOTFR8]

Thanks 1/2Cup. Until I see this system of yours I have my doubts (Lack of knowledge on the new systems) about the router link. If it can be set up that way then it can be hacked and it will if some one wants to.

I have always been told UPS power supply systems do not work well with Solar Power. That is do not plug a UPS system into a Solar Power system. Another reason why the smaller Solar power system of mine works so much better as it is separate to the bigger system. Filtering any power surges as well as power brown outs etc.

With the heat at present I notice the batteries on my bigger system drop during the day.
Something I have to watch if we have a power failure when the solar charge is lacking later in the day.

 

[1/2 Cup]

The Solar installation - Brief Update - day 3. Performance Review.

Yet another hot day with the temperature hitting 43 C, Once again I had an early start (4.00 am) in the Shed Downunder to beat the heat then pulled the pin in the shed around lunch time.
Our solar out put for the day was similar to that of the last 2 days reaching 37 KWH.
Our cumulative output thus far has been around 121 KWH in total.
Of interest has been the panel temperatures, given the extremely hot weather I have seen them reach nearly 90 C, I am looking forward to some cooler days and comparing performance figures in line with that.

1/2 Cup, enjoy your day

 

[1/2 Cup]

I have not been threw you entire thread yet but will put it on my reading list this week. Does your government give you any tax credit or incentive to install this? I believe the US Federal Govt has something in place. It s great that you can sell excess power back to the supplier if I have read that right. You are doing the right thing in this project.

Good luck

Many thanks captain14,

Apologies for not responding sooner.

Yes, the government offers what they call Small Technology Certificates (STC) and to give you an example on say a 3KW micro inverter system , typically it would cost would be in the order of AU $9800.00. With that size system you would get around 62 STC which currently have a tradable value of AU $35.00 each making a total of around AU $2200.00. this is then deducted of the total price of the system giving you a net cost of say AU $7600.00. (all pricing inc 10% GST)

You have the option of paying the full price and managing the STC's your self and potentially cashing them in down the track, being a tradable commodity but most elect to hand them over to the Solar company and not have the hassle as it is a fairly complicated arrangement.

The feed in tariffs are yet another bone of contention with the government and energy companies, some years back we were offered 66 c per KWH then that was dropped to 25 c per KWH. The rebate is now 8 c per KWH.

Many have asked " what is you return on investment period?" and I pondered that question for a long time and was the single reason we did not install solar sooner and is very passionately debated in many forums.

After doing some research over a period of time it then finally clicked with me it is all about providing us, in our situation, with a sustainable future in terms of the energy we use.

Mrs 1/2 Cup had been keen on the idea for a long time and was another key driver behind me moving forward with our decision to install solar.

I would not normally hesitate to add a new room on the house, purchase a car or do some renovation work, purchase more tools and with that never consider return on investment, so why should the installation of solar be any different IMHO.
For us the next upgrade will be to replace our electric hot water system with solar.

Many thanks again, I sincerely hope that I have answered your questions.

1/2 Cup.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Thanks 1/2Cup. Until I see this system of yours I have my doubts (Lack of knowledge on the new systems) about the router link. If it can be set up that way then it can be hacked and it will if some one wants to.

I have always been told UPS power supply systems do not work well with Solar Power. That is do not plug a UPS system into a Solar Power system. Another reason why the smaller Solar power system of mine works so much better as it is separate to the bigger system. Filtering any power surges as well as power brown outs etc.

With the heat at present I notice the batteries on my bigger system drop during the day.
Something I have to watch if we have a power failure when the solar charge is lacking later in the day.

HOTFR8, here is a little more info in regard to storage systems, the Company i purchased my system from do have a solar compatible storage solution, I did not enquire as to what the cost may be but it will certainly be worth a look down the track.

http://www.zenhomeenergy.com.au/energy-storage/about-energy-storage

 

[HOTFR8]

HOTFR8, here is a little more info in regard to storage systems, the Company i purchased my system from do have a solar compatible storage solution, I did not enquire as to what the cost may be but it will certainly be worth a look down the track.

http://www.zenhomeenergy.com.au/energy-storage/about-energy-storage

OK, That is interesting.

 

[1/2 Cup]

The Solar installation - Brief Update - day 4. Performance Review.

The temperatures here today were still into the 40s C and there was high cloud at times then we had a gusty cool change come through from the south just on early evening with the temperature dropping to 24 C.

Output today however was still an impressive 34 KWH.

It was interesting to note that as the temp. declined to around 30 C and the panel temps dropped off there was a notable increase in the individual panel output. I am still waiting to see at what point we reach the optimum panel output.

1/2 Cup

 

[HOTFR8]

You need to sit back and take it all in over the next 12 months to see how it all works. You will find even in Winter the system will do well. Daylight is all you need. Over that time frame you can also compare power bills to see how much the system has reduced your bills.

 

[1/2 Cup]

You need to sit back and take it all in over the next 12 months to see how it all works. You will find even in Winter the system will do well. Daylight is all you need. Over that time frame you can also compare power bills to see how much the system has reduced your bills.

You are spot on HOTFR8

 

[1/2 Cup]

The Solar installation - Brief Update - day 5. Performance Review.

A lot milder here today at 33 C and not a cloud in the sky with a light southerly breeze.
The solar output hit a staggering 41 KWH.

1/2 Cup

 

[HOTFR8]

Impressive.

 

[1/2 Cup]

The solar installation has been the main priority for us over the last week or two in the Shed Downunder and as a consequence there has been nothing done in terms of the bench builds, but conversely it has given me the opportunity to have a clean up and reorganise things a little as I have had to move things about quite a bit to have access for the solar cabling inside the shed.

The first thing was to clean out my roller site cabinet complete with a Dawn 100L Vice, that I had built some 30 years ago and get it ready to take to my sons garage on a "semi permanent loan arrangement".

View media item 37593
This then has enabled me to move things around, clean things up and discover treasures that I had long forgotten, including the Model A allowing me to get some meaningfull pictures that I will compile and post on the weekend.

This is my other work bench that is difficult to get a good look at in some of my other posts.

View media item 37592
Cheers, 1/2 Cup

 

[80WTI_55_CHEV]

I go away for a couple of days and come back to a couple of pages of updates around the place Steve, you guys have been busy by the looks of things. That solar will sure take the pressure off the increasing bills and at the rate of increases it will pay itself off in a matter of no time. Are you heading down to Hawkesbury swap on the 16th of this month Steve, i have been told it's a really good swap and you might be able to find some more lights.
In regards to the lights are you only after green ones or any other colours? Lee

 

[HOTFR8]

I got an email yesterday for an event in Yarrawonga some time in the future so I may just be up your way. I may have to call in and see the Shed Downunder and the Model A for myself.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I go away for a couple of days and come back to a couple of pages of updates around the place Steve, you guys have been busy by the looks of things. That solar will sure take the pressure off the increasing bills and at the rate of increases it will pay itself off in a matter of no time. Are you heading down to Hawkesbury swap on the 16th of this month Steve, i have been told it's a really good swap and you might be able to find some more lights.
In regards to the lights are you only after green ones or any other colours? Lee

Lee,

Been busy is an understatement.

We are really happy with the solar.

Hawkesbury will be out for me.

In regards the the lights, I am chasing another two green ones but they have to match the existing one i have, they may all look the same but there are several varaints in terms of shape and size. F.Y.I. I paid $30 for that one on EBAY, some sellers are asking rediculous prices for them. There dream'n!!

I got an email yesterday for an event in Yarrawonga some time in the future so I may just be up your way. I may have to call in and see the Shed Downunder and the Model A for myself.

HOTFR8 consider the Shed doors open and the kettle on, looking forward to your site visit

 

[sandmanracing]

I found out what happened to the solar system - and the outcome would be timely for anyone with an outdoor junction/switch box that is exposed to the weather.

The roof mounted DC isolation switch (installed with the system in 2009) wasn't sealed properly. When the sparky came out today (finally) to check it, he did his checks on the ground and then on the roof. Apparently when he removed the cover for the isolation switch it was smoking.

Water had gotten in and welded switch contacts together with the amount of sun we have had in recent times. With the amount of money ******* in tools and car parts (not to mention simulator equipment) I am glad that it was caught today.

Especially given we are in for another 6 days of 36C plus!

The whole DC side has been isolated now to prevent arcing until they can come out and fit a replacement on Friday morning.

A substantially dangerous problem that would have been cured with a $2.50 tube of silicon from the outset...

 

[flybefree]

Wow, love the solar set up! Good work.

v/r

Shaun

 

[1/2 Cup]

I found out what happened to the solar system - and the outcome would be timely for anyone with an outdoor junction/switch box that is exposed to the weather.

The roof mounted DC isolation switch (installed with the system in 2009) wasn't sealed properly. When the sparky came out today (finally) to check it, he did his checks on the ground and then on the roof. Apparently when he removed the cover for the isolation switch it was smoking.

Water had gotten in and welded switch contacts together with the amount of sun we have had in recent times. With the amount of money ******* in tools and car parts (not to mention simulator equipment) I am glad that it was caught today.

Especially given we are in for another 6 days of 36C plus!

The whole DC side has been isolated now to prevent arcing until they can come out and fit a replacement on Friday morning.

A substantially dangerous problem that would have been cured with a $2.50 tube of silicon from the outset...

Luckily you have found the problem so quickly. It could have quite easily ended in tears I can tell you.

Unfortunately we see examples of this all the time. The D.C. isolators are in themselves rated to IP56 which means they are designed to with stand rain, jets of water and dust ingress.

The issue can generally be traced back to poor installation practices in the first instance!

It would pay to have your sparky have look over the rest of the system while he is there with a visual inspection and check and tighten all terminations, its amazing just what issues you can pick up doing these simple steps and perhaps preventing a disaster down the track.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Wow, love the solar set up! Good work.

v/r

Shaun

Many thanks again Shaun, we are extremely happy with the outcome and for once I will be looking forward to an energy bill once we have gotten that side of things sorted with our provider.

1/2 Cup.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Cleaning up last weekend in the Shed Downunder I had Shelby the "Garage Guardian" out with me as I do and she is usually under my feet most of the time with her ball and demands my full attention constantly. Should she not get that attention she quite often starts to get creative and will make here own fun relocating stuff and if you are not quick enough the item usually end up buried or hidden some where for use as a play toy later, among here favourite are brushes, sand paper, grease rags, cardboard cartons and she has even been known to pick up a mash hammer as well.
When things go quiet I know she is up to no good.

The challenge I am then faced with is to retrieve what ever she has before I gets destroyed or buried.

Belgium Shepherds are a highly intelligent and high drive breed and Shelby clearly knows that being creative like she does she will instantly get my full attention. She has a steely resolve and will not relent or submit easily and when chastised for doing something wrong will not make eye contact, turning her back to me, basically saying "get it if you can" or "make my day".

This was her with one of the favourites last weekend.

View media item 37624
Last year I had a "not happy moment" with Shelby when she shortened and turned a garden hose into a soak it hose for me. She knew that she had mucked up, NOTE no eye contact and the ears were flat.

View media item 37623
Have a great day.

1/2 Cup.

 

[HOTFR8]

Soaker hose........

 

[1/2 Cup]

The clean out last week end in the Shed Downunder enabled me to grab some pics of the early Canadian built, Australian assembled 1930 Model A Ford Roadster that I have been restoring for a number of years.
My goal in undertaking the restoration has always been to maintain period correctness where practicable, not a concourse restoration by any stretch but to end up with an above average every day driver.
Some of the images you will have seen in previous posts but I thought I would compile them all together so you can get the picture as to just where I am at.

I will let the pictures tell the story

View media item 33224
View media item 37628
View media item 34363
View media item 37629
View media item 37633
One very expensive piece of wall art, a NOS commercial radiator surround, as Mrs 1/2 Cup keeps reminding me of, bless her.

View media item 37634
View media item 37632
View media item 37631
View media item 37630
View media item 37635
View media item 37636
View media item 37637
The Model A to do list.

. Fit and paint doors and boot lid.
. Detail, block out and finish painting the body.
. Bonnet and splash tray in primmer surfacer ready to block out and paint.
. Install running boards and guards.
. Install and align body to chassis.
. Order and install a complete Le Baron Bonney upholstery and top kit.
. Fit jewellery.
. Turn the key and drive away with no more to pay. Well that's the plan anyway.

The Model A procurement list = my undivided attention and QST!!!

Over the course of the restoration my philosophy has been, that if I was restoring one item, I would do two of the same where I could and was economically viable to do so on many of the, lets say the more consumable parts of the car. This has given me a great inventory of hot swappable spares.

I am currently amassing enough bits to do a rebuild on a spare Model B engine with counter weighted crank that I have, this will include a pressure feed bottom end and all the trick goodies I can possibly cram into it.

1/2 Cup.

 

[BrownEnterprises]

Your living the dream! Lovin that Model A....gorgeous! So..tell me when I can pack up and move in..I'm potty trained

 

[1/2 Cup]

Your living the dream! Lovin that Model A....gorgeous! So..tell me when I can pack up and move in..I'm potty trained

Thanks very much for you kind comments.

I am really enjoying what i do in the shed and would love to do more but there is not enough hours in the day, with long hours at work so i only get the weekends to play.
Our two boys have left home and Mrs 1/2 Cup shares my interests and passions as I do hers, this works well.

Cheers, have a great day.

 

[Bib Overalls]

You need to put an OHV conversion on that "B" motor and hook it up to a better transmission and rear end. Since you have 2 of everything why not have two interchangeable drive trains? One for runs with the antique crowd and another for frolicking with the hot rodding set.

 

[1/2 Cup]

You need to put an OHV conversion on that "B" motor and hook it up to a better transmission and rear end. Since you have 2 of everything why not have two interchangeable drive trains? One for runs with the antique crowd and another for frolicking with the hot rodding set.

Don't worry the gears are turning in that respect, i can assure you.
A mate of my brothers makes quick change rear ends and i have a later gearbox that is just ripe for a conversion.

 

[HOTFR8]

You need to put an OHV conversion on that "B" motor and hook it up to a better transmission and rear end. Since you have 2 of everything why not have two interchangeable drive trains? One for runs with the antique crowd and another for frolicking with the hot rodding set.

We may yet convert him.

Don't worry the gears are turning in that respect, i can assure you.
A mate of my brothers makes quick change rear ends and i have a later gearbox that is just ripe for a conversion.

Please do share more as that sounds very interesting.