[Greenbuilding] More CO problems--equalizing solar batteries

[KTOT (g)]

Thanks. As I said, I believe, I plan to call my solar electrician who installed the system as by state law, the system is still warrantied, so I’ll see what he says. My feeling is he needs to come out and confirm the system he installed does in fact work as it’s supposed to. I’ve never heard the Power Vent running so I don’t know if I should or not—if it’s noisy or silent when running. Solar batteries have to be vented to the outside, so if the Power Vent isn’t doing this, my electrician needs to revise/fix my system. Previous solar systems I’ve had always had covered batteries that opened only to a vent that went outdoors, so this one concerned me but I trusted it would work as it should. I’ll know more hopefully Tue. if I can reach the electrician then.

From: Bob Klahn 
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2012 12:30 PM
To: Green Building 
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] More CO problems--equalizing solar batteries

I'm not familiar with that specific fan and I might be restating the obvious, but have you ever tested the fan to find if it is truly venting and, if so, at what rate?
I regularly test residential exhaust fans.  Flow restriction, mostly because of ducting faults or just the flow resistance because of the length (and or the fact that ribbed flexible ducting has been used.  If I find more than 40% of the rated flow (on all but a few, top end fans), I start looking for the leak or disconnect.

You could test the fan itself, with a capture hood and gauge or measure the depressurization of the space with a sensitive manometer.

The other factor is verifying a source of intake air for the space, to balance the exhaust.  Even a great fan probably can't pull against a closed space; passive leakage is not likely to be adequate, especially in an intentionally tightened house as I expect yours is.
Bob Klahn



On 2/19/2012 12:47 PM, KTOT (g) wrote: 
  I encountered another, potentially very serious, CO problem yesterday when I equalized my still-new solar batteries with the exact directions of both my solar electrician and the relevant manual.

  The batteries are in an interior utility room but have a “Power Vent” that goes from above the batteries to the exterior.
  .bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org


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