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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Dan,<br>
Like many baby boomers, I'm a child of an alcoholic parent, and
thus have the super-responsible characteristic that often develops
as a result. I open with this because I sense from your post that
we may share this history in common. You sound as though you need
to make everything right for this uneducated client. I'd just like
to gently offer that you don't have to rescue this situation from
certain (or uncertain) doom...<br>
<br>
The customer didn't hire you to install the original system. It's
not equipment you normally use. The customer doesn't understand
the system. The customer won't buy a generator. The customer
doesn't see the value of hiring you to do what he can't. <br>
<br>
Dan, let it go, friend. Explain that flooded batteries need a
periodic overcharge called equalization or they won't last. Tell
him you'll either show him what to do - even write down the steps
- or you'll show up periodically to do what he won't, for a
reasonable fee plus travel. Offer to him that when these batteries
fail you'll sell him a BIG set of AGMs that don't need
maintenance. The sticker shock isn't your problem; neither are any
of the other issues. Then exhale and walk away in peace. And send
him a bill for your time, knowledge and expertise.<br>
<br>
We have installed two XW systems, on a grid-tie and one off grid.
The off grid had one charge controller and a good generator, so I
have no experience with your particular programming situation -
sorry. Even with the off grid system, shortly after we finished
the installation (and were paid for our work) the owners decided
it wasn't their retirement dream home after all and sold the
property. I eventually found the new owner, left a message
offering our services, including an orientation, and even noted
that one 2V cell of the existing reused battery string had shown
failure. Never heard back. Am I concerned? Nope.<br>
<br>
We do good work and support our customers well, including after
hours and on weekends when necessary. But for sure, those
customers who most value our work, rely on our knowledge, are
loyal and who pay their bills promptly get the best
bend-over-backward support. Some of them even offer tea and
cookies.<br>
Good luck!<br>
Allan<br>
<br>
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<font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><b>Allan Sindelar</b></font><br>
<small><a href="mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com"><font
face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color="#000099"><u>Allan@positiveenergysolar.com</u></font></a></small><font
face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><br>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic
Installer<br>
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional<br>
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician<br>
Founder and Chief Technology Officer<br>
<b>Positive Energy, Inc.</b><br>
3209 Richards Lane (note new address)<br>
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507<br>
<b>505 424-1112</b><br>
<a href="http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/"
target="_blank"><u>www.positiveenergysolar.com</u></a><o:p></o:p></span></font>
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On 3/3/2013 7:09 PM, Dan Fink wrote:<br>
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cite="mid:CAF+3LnfZa-=zGn3VP+_8VLWrLuEXHr47YwCzBEdUYbaZzzoqfw@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Esteemed Wrenches;
We recently inherited a "problem off-grid system" from another local
Wrench. We didn't steal, he fled and said "have fun." It's all
Xantrex, and impeccably installed, but we do not install Xantrex and
are just learning the menus and such.
This system gets hit pretty hard every night, and we want to do
regular battery equalizations. Though the client is pretty good on
adding battery water, we really don't like automatic equalization
routines.....bad timing can mess everything up. The client refuses to
install a backup generator of any kind, so we need to EQ via solar on
sunny days.
My question.......I had thought the Xanbuss system let everything talk
to each each other and get along happily. The "Equalize" button on the
inverter looked like a perfect solution. But according to the previous
Wrench, a sinister passage in the XW user manual and a cryptic and
disjointed phone call to tech support after over an hour on hold,
XanBuss can't make this system equalize via the PV controllers? They
*each* have to be manually set individually to do it. This is WAY over
the head of our client. It scares me. And there has been lots of
sticker shock for the client on getting everything working as well as
it has (blew thru an undersized set of AGM batteries in a year) I
don't think I can sell a battery maintenance contract. Raised eyebrows
and a "harrumph," I can just see it.
So did I miss something here about a Xanbuss system being able to EQ
via the dual PV controllers? Or do I really have to train this client
to dig into BOTH the PV controller menus every 2-3 months and
hopefully not mess anything else up? Or, should I just plan on
bringing my Honda 2000i every couple months to EQ, or hope for a sunny
day, and hope for tea and cookies, if not a maintenance contract?
Thanks in advance. I'd be shocked if the Xanbuss system was so
townie-oriented as to only easily equalize via AC mains. With an
Outback Mate I can EQ from either or both. But I've been shocked
before. And her tea was good, haven't tried the cookies yet.
Dan Fink,
Executive Director;
Otherpower
Buckville Energy Consulting
Buckville Publications LLC
NABCEP / IREC accredited Continuing Education Providers
970.672.4342
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