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

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