Tri-Metric (was Flexnet DC) [RE-wrenches]

Thu Nov 15 17:54:04 PST 2007

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>
Nick,
I'm using all three channels/shunts. I have an ancient PS4DC (when  
they were just the PSDC and there was no PS2DC). PV input on one,  
hydro and wind on another and the third for load.
I'm an Outback distributor. We just received the first units here and  
are shipping most of them back out to our dealers to install in their  
customer's systems.
Cheers, Bob-O
> Bob-O, are you just measuring the the 2 channels -charge and load?  
> Two shunts in a PS2/4 or Flexware or? When you say production units  
> being shipped that means from a distributor ready to go into a  
> customer's system?
>
> Thanks again to the two of you for taking the time to respond, Nick  
> A Lucchese
>
>
>
>
>
>> Nick,
>> We have long had a basic policy that every battery-based system  
>> gets a
>> Tri-Metric, and have never regretted it. We don't experience the  
>> problems
>> you describe, so maybe it's your setup. Here are a few secrets I have
>> learned over the years:
>> 1. We always set the display (in setup mode from the blank screen)  
>> to P01,
>> not P00: 1% increments, automatic reset. This eliminates the  
>> useless "FUL",
>> allows closer incremental readings, and eliminates the need for  
>> the customer
>> to reset anything except the EQ counter. (The 1% option is a main  
>> reason we
>> have never used the Xantrex/Trace TM500 meter, which lacked that  
>> option.)
>> 2. We set the amp-hours somewhat lower than actual C/20 or C/100  
>> rates, to
>> build in a bit of reserve.
>> 3. We always go over use of all of the functions upon system  
>> startup and
>> orientation, emphasizing percent and amps as key functions. We  
>> downplay
>> voltage as only a "corroborating value" that will reveal patterns  
>> as it
>> becomes familiar.
>> 4. Years ago we prepared a Tri-Metric log form (thanks to Dan  
>> Rice), several
>> copies of which go in the system manual. We tell the customer to  
>> fill it out
>> several times a day/night for the first couple of weeks, then  
>> daily for a
>> couple of months, until patterns begin to emerge and the system  
>> indicators
>> become familiar.
>> 5. The Tri-Met goes in the kitchen or hall, not the power room;  
>> it's got to
>> be a part of daily consciousness to be used.
>> 6. 97H works well with standard flooded batteries, 94H won't  
>> always reset.
>> 7. Set the charged voltage setting far enough below temperature- 
>> compensated
>> controller bulk voltage to allow reset when the batteries are warm  
>> in late
>> summer. We use about 0.8V with a 24V system. Set amps to around 2% of
>> battery capacity; more (or even defeated) with an undersized array.
>>
>> The real beauty of all this is that we can often avoid callbacks and
>> billable service calls by phone troubleshooting. And the CAH is  
>> our ace in
>> the hole when batteries fail before the customer thought they  
>> should have.
>>
>> Hope this helps.
>> Allan at Positive Energy
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Nick Lucchese" <nickl at sierrasolar.com>
>> To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 3:02 PM
>> Subject: Flexnet DC [RE-wrenches]
>>
>>
>>>
>>>  Hello Wrenches,
>>  I'm really excited
>>>  for this product as I'm constantly challenged with customers  
>>> that are
>>>  unwilling/unable to provide adequate feedback on their system. The
>>>  Trimetric is great if the customer is technically able but 90%  
>>> of the
>>>  time they are left on the "Volts" screen and never re-calibrated.
>>>  Thanks again for your time,
>>>
>>>  Nick A Lucchese
>>
>>
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>
>
> -- 
> Nick A Lucchese
> NABCEP Certified PV Installer
> Planet Home
> General Contractor # 808851
> Sierra Solar Systems
> 563C Idaho Maryland Road
> Grass Valley, CA 95945
> tech info and foreign orders:  (530) 273-6754
> order line: (800) 51-SOLAR (US only)   FAX:  (530) 273-1760
> e-mail:  <mailto:nickl at sierrasolar.com>
> world wide web:  <http://www.sierrasolar.com>
>
>
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> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
> Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE- 
> wrenches/read
>
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> wrenches/etiquette.php
>
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/
>
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>
>
>


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