Mac,

You have already received great advice, different strokes for different folks.
Three things I would add:

Accepting an offgrid customer is a bit like getting married. It is a long term
commitment. You want it to be a happy one. What does that mean to you?

In my experience it is prudent to exercise particular caution when these
situations include the extra element of a landlord / tenant relationship. After
all, even though you got the call from the tenant, you will be working on
property and equipment owned by the landlord.  In your case, the landlord, an
electrician, installed the system. It's a mess. Big red flag there. Why didn't
the landlord get the call instead of you? If he did, and couldn't fix it, why
wasn't he the one to call you?

Auto starting generators? There have been many posts here on this topic. Some
controversy and technical challenge exist, only more so in this case. 'Nuff
said. 

Dick Ratico
Solarwind Electric


--- You wrote:
I agree with Joel and Allan's comments; I just would add that I too have 
done many repairs, and rewires and found them to be decent customers.  I 
also have never been sued, by using Joel's method of avoiding problem 
clients.
Usually the rewire turns into a system upgrade (  I always do a complete 
load analysis) and before I know it, I'm selling modules, and batteries 
too.
Just don't get caught in fixing one little thing, then getting call 
backs for everything else.
You either create a system designed for their use, that is installed 
correctly, or you don't have your name on it.
BTW, it does not all have to meet 2011 code, as it's repair of existing 
wiring, and so you have quite a bit more lee way.
Old off grid customers that have been struggling for years make very 
good, informed customers that appreciate how much better the system 
works after, and spread by word of mouth, the good news to their off 
grid neighbors.
This type of work is not for the squimish though, and I have had my 
share of 4 am worry sessions over some of this work.
Also bill by Time and materials, you never know what you're going to run 
into, till you get everything off the wall.

Ray Walters

On 11/23/2011 11:23 AM, Allan Sindelar wrote:
> Mac,
> 1.  Write notes on your concerns on your daily service record for the 
> site visit. Express strong concern.
> 2.  Write a cautionary note on the invoice to the landlord.
> 3.  Decide if you'd to tackle a system rebuild, or if you don't want 
> to get near it.
> 4.  If you can do it discretely, consider letting the tenant get (or 
> at least see) a copy of what you send to the landlord.
> 5.  Send the bill, wait two weeks and then call  the owner to discuss. 
> What you advise depends on the answer to 3.
> Allan
>
> *Allan Sindelar*
> _Allan@positiveenergysolar.com_ <mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com>
> NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
> NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
> New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
> *Positive Energy, Inc.*
> 3201 Calle Marie
> Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
> *505 424-1112*
> _www.positiveenergysolar.com_ <http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/>
>
> *
> *
>
>
>
> On 11/23/2011 9:43 AM, mac Lewis wrote:
>> Hey wrenches,
>>
>> Wanted to see what everyone does in a case like I just encountered. 
>>  I got a call from a tenant for an off-grid system installed by the 
>> landlord (supposedly an electrician).  I went up there to look at the 
>> site and it was a mess.  System lacked OCPDs, there were gouges in 
>> the insulation of the wires, loose terminals, nothing ran in conduit, 
>> etc...  I was called up there to see why the generator was not auto 
>> starting.  I got the auto start working, expressed my concern to the 
>> tenant about the workmanship and left.  Now I'm wondering whether I 
>> should have touched the system at all.  What would you do?  Is there 
>> liability here?
>>
>> Thanks
>> -- 
>>
>>
>>
>> Mac Lewis
>>
>> *
>>
>> "Yo solo se que no se nada." -Socrates
>>
--- end of quote ---

