more BAD solarex modules, etc. [RE-wrenches]
Jim Hartley
grail at inil.com
Wed Jan 17 11:40:04 PST 2001
Todd Cory, Bald Mt. Solar wrote:
> John,
>
> "John Veix, Solar Electric Specialists" wrote:
>
> > Isn't it a co-incidence that two seperate manufacturing plants have had
> > the
> > same problems (now showing up) with 'bad batches' of the white-backed
> > Solarex panels?
>
> One of the two I took out of the sun yesterday was serial number
> FW96D08704300.
> This 1996 module is one of the blue backed ones, so unfortunately, it
> appears
> that the failures are not limited to just the older white backed models
> of the
> MSX-60's.
>
> I feel it is unconscionable that they do not have the integrity to put
> out a
> recall notice for all the bad modules they have produced. Guess the
> "we're-in-it-for-the-buxs" syndrome applies to the manufacturers as
> well...
> sigh.
>
> Todd
>
>
Hmmm. Well, let's see if I get this message through. I seem to be
losing things today.
There seems to be a pattern here in all these exchanges. At least I see
one, and an opportunity. It would appear that we are seeing things
and/or hearing things that require a more codified form of
airing. Manufacturers have problems. That much is certain. Sometimes
they are open about these and sometimes they aren't. In result we have
problems and in turn so do our clients. It's also true that
manufacturers sometimes don't realize they have problems unless someone
tells them somehow. Maybe they respond and maybe they don't. Or, maybe
they can't for whatever reasons. In any case the problem persists and
may get even worse unless toes are held to the fire or until significant
business losses wake them up.
Lately we have had a number of complaints about this or that product's
problematic aspects. I arrived when Trace inverters were being
critiqued pretty thoroughly [and still are]. I think this is good,
actually. Some of us have expressed some cycnicism about certain
peculiarities of some Trace product and other products.
I have participated even. At the same time I wonder where we'd all be
without these current generation products to work with. I can recall
from the "old days" having not many options to deal with in this matter
of inverters. Back then it was mostly that big red monster that Best
Engineering had that was the mainstay of inverter technology. Then this
company Trace Engineering showed up as an alternative and it was a
welcome thing to have to sell. I probably sold almost five hundred
first generation Trace inverters over the years up to when I took my
leave of absence from PV. Admittedly, the large majority were sold to
just several large clients but they seemed pleased to have this new
option. So, whenever I take a shot at the manufacturer I do so
understanding that they have contributed a lot to this industry whatever
their ongoing "shortcomings" may be.
The same goes for other companies who are still trying.
I'm wondering if it isn't time to etablish a more codified document
of archived information relating to our experiences of personal
discovery, frustration and disaffection. Perhaps this might be a
dedicated website covering the various real world issues we encounter, a
sort of ReRx thing equivalent to the Physician's Desk Reference. Among
other things, this is where we could compile such things as the known
serial numbering of failed Solarex modules and any other manufacturer's
modules. Put there whatever has value to doing a good job at what we
try to do. Access to information is empowering. Manufacturer's may not
always be aware of certain problems their products have or introduce in
connection with other components. When they are aware but don't talk,
we can put their feet to the fire by revealing openly what these
problems are. This "information service" we could develop would do
three primary things benefitting EVERYBODY in the loop - manufacturer's
by contributing to the design of better products, us by making our work
less troublesome and more satisfying, and the consumer by protecting him
from needless headaches. This "technical document" would clarify at the
least [1] The Known Problems and [2] The Reasonable Fixes based on
experience.
I'm thinking that doing such a thing could be entirely or partly funded
in some respect by the product manufacturers. Since we and others would
be assisting them in identifying issues which need their
attention we would also be contributing to the long term success of
their enterprise. One might consider this as being a form of mini-UL
certification. We could call this process "The Wrench Ranking." By
doing such a thing we can better drive the scope, nature and quality of
what occurs in our industry. By extension, that makes us more powerful
AND more profitable.
Who does this compilation of technical remedies, I don't know. It
wouldn't be that hard to do and that's maybe not the point. Who does it
first, however, derives the credibiliy of having considered this to be
important. Judging from the flow of things here it must be important in
principle so I suggest that it be considered in some respect. I, for
one, would consider making this type of informational archive a key
linked element of my webpage. Let it all hang out. What do we have to
lose? If service is thought to be a critical part of what we will be
doing down the road this could prove to be a godsend whenever we find
ourselves in the midst of some dilemma. Much of the possible content of
such a document is already basically here in all these message
exchanges. Merely culling the specific hard core data from the
extraneous chit chat is all that needs doing for a start. Manufacturers
seek certification from other entities. Why not make them want ours?
There's an apt military expression, mostly used by cadets at the Air
Force Academy: HUAH!
Lets' get on with it.....
Jim Hartley
http://www.homestead-specialties.com
Business Email: JamesHartley at homestead-specialties.com
Direct Email: grail at inil.com
- - - - - - -
To send a message:
RE-wrenches at topica.com
The archive of previous messages:
http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/
To unsubscribe send a message to:
RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com
To check out the other RE-Wrench participants:
www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html
Hosted by Home Power magazine:
www.homepower.com
For info contact list moderator by email:
michael.welch at homepower.com
____________________________________________________________
T O P I C A -- Learn More. Surf Less.
Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose.
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01
More information about the RE-wrenches
mailing list