Where's the suggestion box?

[johngalt]

Is there any place to make a suggestion to the Forum host for a higher layer category?

I have not been here long, but it seems many post center around similar problems. Array too small, batteries wrong voltage, series vs. parallel, if I have this can I do that? etc. etc.

I think it would be cool to have a section Titled "Solar Math" where a lot of the methods to calculate these common values could be posted and or debated.

Examples:

How do I calculate PV circuit current?
How do I calculate conductor size?
How do I calculate over current protection fuses/breakers?
How do I size my inverter to my battery / array? or visa versa what size inverter can I run if my batteries are x ah at y volts. etc.
How do I calculate the max voltage when I put panels in series or parallel?
How do I calculate the max amperage when I put panels in series or parallel?
How do I de-rate this or that and why?
How do I calculate the charge time for my batteries?
How do I calculate the gratuity for parties of 6 or more? Just seeing if you're paying attention.
etc.
etc.

I'm positive that these math problems have been answered here time and time again but it is hard to find them.

Not trying to put anyone out of a job, I just think many larger problems can be solved starting with the smaller concepts.

Maybe this is already grouped somewhere and I just failed to find it.

If you think it's a good idea no big deal and if not, that's cool to.

[Naptown]

Parties of 6 or more 20%

[SunEagle]

Parties of 6 or more 20%

Usually that tip is already tacked onto the bill by the wait staff so they don't get stiff by a large crowd.

[inetdog]

Usually that tip is already tacked onto the bill by the wait staff so they don't get stiff by a large crowd.

"I thought X was leaving the tip..."
So if the automatic "gratuity" is 18% do you leave an additional 2% cash? Do you ask for a refund on the gratuity if service was terrible?

[SunEagle]

"I thought X was leaving the tip..."
So if the automatic "gratuity" is 18% do you leave an additional 2% cash? Do you ask for a refund on the gratuity if service was terrible?

You can leave as much as you want but forget about a refund. If you don't like the service I would suggest you don't eat there again.

[Naptown]

Most of that info is in stickies
But the suggestion is a good one

[johngalt]

Parties of 6 or more 20%

Glad somebody got it. lol

[inetdog]

Glad somebody got it. lol

And the first one to get it was an Administrator/Moderator. A good sign for the Forum!

[johngalt]

And the first one to get it was an Administrator/Moderator. A good sign for the Forum!

Actually, the first one to get the joke not necessarily the correct answer. Some places will tack on 15% or more. But yeah, if the service is top notch, 20% is not unreasonable.

Personally, if the service is lackluster I go with the mandatory tack on fee. If it is exceptional I will go as high as 20%.

Anything higher than 20% and you might as well just invite the wait staff and dish washers to sit down with you and buy them dinner from appetizers to desert plus coffee to finish off the evening.

[Naptown]

the 20% is usual and customary here in the peoples republic of Maryland (at least Annapolis)
My son who is in college waits tables so it is common knowledge in at least this house.

[johngalt]

the 20% is usual and customary here in the peoples republic of Maryland (at least Annapolis)
My son who is in college waits tables so it is common knowledge in at least this house.

If the service is excellent I'll gladly pay the 20%. If not, it's house rules. If the house rule is 20% regardless of the quality, OK but it's the last time I'm coming in.

Nothing is customary where I come from. You either earn it or you don't.

I'm sure your son does an outstanding job worthy of the maximum gratuity.

[Jason]

Feedback requested on new categories

We appreciate the feedback and are giving some thought to creating new categories or rearranging the categories that we currently have.

As the Forum has grown larger, folks have posted in categories that are not exactly the right ones. We try to move some of these to the appropriate categories. But we recognize that some of the categories are overlapping. The area that we think could be a lot clearer is the PV sections. Now we have two forums, one for grid tie systems and one for off grid solar. If you have a question about a charge controller on an off grid system, do you post under off grid electric systems or equipment for solar electric systems (a subcategory of Solar panel systems on the grid)?

Similarly if you are a homeowner and want to talk about the economics of your decision to go solar, do you post under solar panels for homeowners or Incentives and economics of solar energy? We understand that our categories are not going to be perfect and there will still be overlap, but we think that we can do better. If you have suggestions on new or revised categories, you may post them here or you can send them to

feedback@solarpaneltalk.com

We will try to digest your comments and make some changes in the weeks ahead.

Thank you for tuning in to Solar Panel Talk!