[RE-wrenches] DPW Rack Problems

Thu Oct 8 05:35:11 PDT 2015

I second the last paragraph.  Even though we’ve had issues with DP&W I still like their product.

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller
Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2015 3:14 AM
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] DPW Rack Problems

Howie:

At one time I shared your dream: that if only the manufacturer’s would build wire management and shielding systems, consumers would flock to buy them.  I asked DPW to help me develop some wire shielding hardware and Steve Schumacher was willing to give it a try.  See this link<http://www.millersolar.com/MillerSolar/practices/PV_wiring/Wire_shielding/_Wire%20Shielding_history.html> for some pictures of the system Schu helped us develop.  Unfortunately, I was one of the few people that ever asked for this product, and there was no reason for DPW to put any more energy into the idea.

Over time I came to realize that what is hindering the development of better wire management and wire shielding systems is not the lack of manufacturers building the systems-- it is due to the lack of demand for them in the market.  Wire management and shielding systems will add to the cost of any installation.  If installers can get away without using these systems, why should they bother?

They get by without them because building officials are all too often ignorant and lazy.  I have tried and tried to convince the officials in the county in which I live to read the black and white of the current NEC but they refuse.  Most of the inspections of my work by building officials last less than 2 minutes.  When I ask inspectors and plan checkers questions about codes and practices I usually get quizzical stares.

The engineers at DPW know what the code requires for wire shielding: they can read and I have highlighted the requirements many times.  DPW was willing to experiment, but apparently no one asked to buy these systems so there was no reason to put them in the catalog.

I have had my problems with the DPW painted parts for years.  It is not a new problem.  Hopefully with the attention they are getting this will be resolved.  I have also waited way too long for even the most minor parts orders.  This needs to improve.  How hard can it be to put a few dozen bolts in a box?  Why should it take almost two weeks?  They need to fix the paint and get parts and assemblies out the door in a reasonable time.

I must say, however, that DPW has provided a very consistently good range of products over the years and they have been more responsive than 99% of the manufacturers out there.  I am still a fan of DPW.

Sincerely,

William Miller

[Gradient Cap_mini]
Lic 773985
millersolar.com<http://www.millersolar.com/>
805-438-5600

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>] On Behalf Of Howie Michaelson
Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2015 6:15 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] DPW Rack Problems

Thanks Michael for the communication conduit.

While I appreciate DP&W's effort to address the issues raised, I don't feel their response really speaks to the issues - for us, these are long standing problems, although they appear to possibly be getting worse more recently.

More importantly, for me this is one of the most valuable aspects of this list - the power of the group to garner a manufacturer's attention in order to address a problem (think warranty replacement issues, or equipment failure rates) or make an improvement.

For instance, if a ground mount racking manufacturer developed a functional, code compliant wire management system, I would expect to hear about it first on this list, get highly useful evaluations of the innovation, and then watch the sales of that system take off due to the "viral" nature of information shared on this list. If there are any racking manu reps that still read this list, perhaps they could take the ball and run with it. One can dream...

Howie

Howie Michaelson
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™

Catamount Solar
Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service
VT Solar Electric Incentive Partner
http://www.CatamountSolar.com
802-272-0004
On Oct 7, 2015 7:51 PM, "Michael Welch" <michael.welch at re-wrenches.org<mailto:michael.welch at re-wrenches.org>> wrote:
I have had off-list contact with DPW, and I've been asked to post the following for them. If you have questions about my posting this on their behalf, contact me off list.

Thanks.

Thank you for alerting us to the problems you recently encountered with the paint used in our TPMs.  It is our intent to respond to customers' concerns to maintain your trust and support.  We recently had a problem when a supplier discontinued a paint we've used since the inception of our TPM product line.  After testing multiple formulations over the course of several weeks we were able to source a silver paint comparable to the original and now have that paint problem resolved.  As to lead time issues we are working with our distributor partners to move orders more quickly through their internal processes.  We extend our apologies for the inconvenience this paint problem has caused.  Please contact me personally with any questions or concerns.  I may be reached at schumachers at directpower.com<mailto:schumachers at directpower.com> or at 505-889-3585<tel:505-889-3585>.  Steve Schumacher, DPW Solar, National Sales Manager

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