[RE-wrenches] Rennsteig Crimper Tool

Sat Feb 20 12:27:04 PST 2010

Our experience in dealing direct with MC has been less than stellar.

We ran into the problems you described, and more. We had ordered quite a bit of stuff (over $12,000), and yet the tools and several other items were backordered not weeks, but months. Just one example is that they sent one of the tools, but the dies were not expected to be available for 5+ months. We finally gave up on them. Yet they expected us to pay for it ALL when they sent the first dribblings. 

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Northern Arizona Wind & Sun - Electricity From The Sun Since 1979
Solar Discussion Forum: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/
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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Doug Pratt 
  To: 'RE-wrenches' 
  Sent: Saturday, February 20, 2010 1:15 PM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Rennsteig Crimper Tool

  Rennsteig shared many, many MBs of independent 3rd party test results using various brands of crimpers with various brands of connectors, on various types of wire that were then subjected to incredibly precise resistance and pull tests.  I came away thoroughly convinced that the Rennsteig is more than equal to (actually a bit better) than the Multi-Contact tool.  

  And, if you recall, there were a few months toward the end of '09 when it seemed everyone was tooling up for MC4 connectors. Multi-Contact couldn't come close to keeping up with demand.  During the worst of it they couldn't even predict when we'd get our next shipment, or how many crimpers would be in that shipment.  Pretty lame for a company that's making $200 profit per crimper. We had desperate dealers with contracts that HAD to finish installation by year end even offering bribes.  (My favorite was the home-smoked wild pig ham, which I will admit did have some effect on my actions. He's also one of my best dealers.) 

  Coming down the pike very soon we'll be seeing other brands of connectors that are fully-compatible with the Multi-Contact MC4 connector. Apparently MC doesn't have a patent lock on this connector. There's at least a couple European brands and probably some Asian ones too, currently beating their way thru UL listing. I know at least one of them specifies the Rennsteig as the preferred crimping tool. 

  So, is it cheaper hardware that could potentially bring on performance and liability problems? Ha! Not at all. It's just better hardware at a non-gouging price. 

  The MC branded tool is, of course, still available also.

  Cheers,

  Doug Pratt

  DC Power Systems

  From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Warren Lauzon
  Sent: Saturday, February 20, 2010 11:24 AM
  To: RE-wrenches
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Rennsteig Crimper Tool

  Uhm. not quite.

  The insistence of MC to use their tool has nothing to do with code, NEC, UL, or anything else.

  It has to do with (1) sales, (2) liability, and (3) quality control.

  For (2) it means that if a connector fails, burns down the house, and kills 93 chickens that they are not liable because you did not use their tool.  For (3) There are or at least have been in the past attempts to use crimping tools that were totally not meant for MC connectors, and there was also at least one junky Chinese(?) knockoff that was way out of spec.

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  Northern Arizona Wind & Sun - Electricity From The Sun Since 1979
  Solar Discussion Forum: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/
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    ----- Original Message ----- 

    From: Mark Frye 

    To: 'RE-wrenches' 

    Sent: Saturday, February 20, 2010 9:41 AM

    Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Rennsteig Crimper Tool

    Humm,

    I know I am only supposted to use Listed parts in my electrical assemblies, but hey, I know galvanized water pipe is the same as electrical conduit....

    ....I find this thread somewhat disturbing in that it supports the idea of undermining manufactures requirements at the whim of the installer [just as long as you don't get caught by the inspector ;-)].

    Scroll up a few post and find folks singing the praise of inverter manufacturers, confirming the need to strictly abide by their requirements as documented....

    ...this willingness to subvert clearly stated manufacturer requirements for the sack of a few hundred bucks peals off the vanier of emerging maturity and reveals the underlying backwards-ness inherent in the PV industry...

    Mark Frye 
    Berkeley Solar Electric Systems 
    303 Redbud Way 
    Nevada City,  CA 95959 
    (530) 401-8024 
    www.berkeleysolar.com  

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