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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Season’s Greetings – </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>We have been having severe weather in the
NW since last week and we elected to close OutBack today due to the snowy roads.
I am actually traveling but will check for messages for the remainder of the
holiday break. Fell free to email me directly if you have any tech
support questions that require immediate response. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I am glad to see that this discussion of automatic
generator start issues include the experience about having the customer being
completely reliant on the system operating completely unattended. I think
doing this is asking for trouble. The auto generator start systems built
into all of the inverter systems should be viewed as a convenience device –
not as a comprehensive “bullet-proof system” which will operate
100% of the time. A complete generator management system can be installed
which will provide that level of reliable operation – but it would
require much more complexity and cost – I think most people would not be
willing to pay for the cost and maintenance required to ensure 100%
reliability. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I have been involved with trouble-shooting
probably well over 100 generator auto-start systems over the years – and I
have always been amazed at the level of complexity that can occur. Often
the inverter system is viewed as the “problem” when the real
problem turns out to be something else. Seldom has the generator
selected been designed for such a critical application or has it been properly
maintained. Often the relays used in the system are not the right type –
people often use cadmium-oxide contacts when dry circuit rated gold contact
relays are required. Many times the generator can’t handle the low
temperatures and start reliably. Or the quality of the fuel is poor from
long term storage, etc…. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>If the customer expects 100% reliability –
a redundant stand alone auto-start system should be installed as a backup –
and the system really should include a second generator – and many
additional protective circuits such as excessive run timers and of course “murphy
switches” (low oil / over temp shutdown system). The system should
be designed to alert the system operator of an error and fail in a operational
mode – i.e. running the generator until the system can be operated
manually or repaired. This will result in excessive fuel usage
unfortunately. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>OutBack has built up a well trained
customer service group which assists homeowners and installers with generator
start system every day. The majority of the time the reason for the
problem is figured out – but there are times where problems can be very
difficult to determine – especially if they are intermittent or not
repeatable. Since we are not able to be on-site we are only able to
certain things to assist with trouble shooting the system. We often
provide replacement parts “just in case” they are the problem…
and more often then not it doesn’t solve the problem because the real
issue is somewhere else. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>As with any complex system – there are
always “surprises” that occur – we have updated the software
in the MATE a number of times to address unusual circumstances and unexpected
combinations of events. We upgrade the software at no charge and always
advise using the latest available MATE software when trouble-shooting and auto generator
start problems. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Happy Solstice and a New Solar Year! </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Christopher</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Christopher Freitas</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Director of Research and Development
</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>OutBack Power Systems, Inc.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><a href="mailto:cfreitas@outbackpower.com"><font
size=3 color=black><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>cfreitas@outbackpower.com</span></font></a></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Tel 360 435 6030</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Cell 360 202 4239</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext'><font color=navy><span
style='color:navy'>19009 62<sup>nd</sup> Ave NE</span></font></span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext'><font color=navy><span
style='color:navy'>Arlington</span></font><font color=navy><span
style='color:navy'> </span></font><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'>WA</span></font><font
color=navy><span style='color:navy'> </span></font><font color=navy><span
style='color:navy'>98223</span></font><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'>
</span></font><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'>USA</span></font></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><a href="http://www.outbackpower.com/"><font
size=3 color=black><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>www.outbackpower.com</span></font></a></span></font></p>
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