What’s that smell?

Payson, AZ (Solar Panel blowing specified 30 amp 4to1 fuse)

I hadn’t cleaned my panels after all the rain in Alpine, AZ so I decided in the morning to get up on the ladder before it got too hot.

Around 10 am I noticed that the amperage had dropped drastically and started to troubleshoot the issue.

I recycled all the circuit breakers and emergency solar connection cut-off switch, checked the Anderson connection (yellow), and found nothing.

I pulled the A/C housing cover (6 screws) and loosed the passenger side ceiling panel divider (see receipt for proper name) and pulled out the center ceiling panel between the A/C unit and the CO arch.

I then proceeded to remove the intermediate panel that the 4to1’s were mounted on (see picture #) and proceeded to disconnect one of the solar panel set of cables so I could check the amperage.

I found excessive amperage on each of the 4 panels and then noticed that the positive 4to1 (with the 30 amp inline fuse that was specified by the manufacturer) was looking a bit off.  Turns out the fuse had blown but not before distorting a good portion of its outer body.

I called the manufacturer and described my issue along with the fact that I was showing nearly 8+ amps coming from each panel.  I was put on hold and the tech started looking into the issue but not before saying “It shouldn’t be producing that much amperage.

Back and forth chit-chat with elevation 5000’+, the temperature with NO clouds, etc.  Requests for pictures and the opening of a ticket.  Blah Blah Blah.

I’m barely a week in on a 2-month trout stream scouting trip, hundreds of miles from home and the result from my phone call was I started getting the CYA routine via email.

Needless to say, I’m not in a good mood when a fellow camper shows up at my door wanting to help.  I’m camping at an ELKS lodge in Payson and this gentleman just says “Let’s just fix the problem”.  All I can say is I couldn’t find anything out of order with the suggestion considering his years of experience!  KISS - Out come the parrot bills, the crimpers, electrical tape, etc.

A trip to the nearby NAPA store to get an automotive fuse (40 amp was all they had which I later downgraded to a 30 amp during my travels), some more connectors, etc. as well as a compatible buss-bar that was delivered the next morning and I was buttoning up the ceiling.  In addition, I added some strain relief hardware to keep the new repair to keep the assembly nice and stable in the ceiling.

I was up and running enjoying the output of my solar panels, grinding my espresso beans, and having a dark and velvety (whole bean package text) cup of Lavazza Perfetto thanks to my Flair the very next morning.

Ain‘t life sweet?

Blog Post Title Two

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.