<div dir="auto"><div>Drake,<div dir="auto">It took me years to try Trace/Xantrex/Schneider products after swearing off Xantrex in 2004, becoming an Outback devotee for a decade. I finally soured on Outback a few years ago after several years of poor customer service and a sense that Outback was not keeping up in general. I had tried Magnum early on and had a bad experience with them and the Sunny Island, while a robust machine, was definitely getting outdated, so I finally decided to give Schneider a try.</div><div dir="auto">While there are always things I wish could be better in all the various choices (which is true for the XW as well), I've stuck with Schneider for a few years now and have been happy with them. I did try the SWa couple of times, but the small cost savings doesn't feel worth the lesser capabilities over the XW. And their customer service has been pretty consistently good.</div><div dir="auto">Howie Michaelson</div><div dir="auto">Sun Catcher</div><br><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr">On Sat, Nov 17, 2018, 10:43 AM <<a href="mailto:drake.chamberlin@redwoodalliance.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">drake.chamberlin@redwoodalliance.org</a> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px"><div>It seems like Outback has too many problems now, with the Mate 3 and the discontinuation of the original, excellent FX inverters. I had a Mate 3 loose its programming on an AC coupled system so that the batteries had no protective relay until the Mate 3 was reprogrammed. Tech support said that this happens with the Mate 3. That is unacceptable. Fortunately it was a dual FX system, and I had the original Mate to put back on it. <br></div><div><br></div><div> How do the Xantrex / Schneider products compare regarding reliability and user friendliness? Are there any downsides to using this equipment. I'm considering going full circle back to this line. <br></div><div><br></div><div>Thanks,</div><div><br></div><div>Drake <br></div><br><br><blockquote class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226atmailquote"><br>----- Original Message -----<br><div id="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226origionalMessageFromField" style="width:100%;display:inline;background:rgb(228,228,228)"><div style="display:inline;font-weight:bold">From:</div> "RE-wrenches" <<a href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>></div><br><div id="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226origionalMessageToField" style="display:inline;font-weight:bold">To:</div><<a href="mailto:william@millersolar.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">william@millersolar.com</a>>, "RE-wrenches" <<a href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>><br><div id="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226origionalMessageSentField" style="display:inline;font-weight:bold">Cc:</div><br><div style="display:inline;font-weight:bold">Sent:</div>Fri, 16 Nov 2018 19:39:26 -0800<br><div id="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226origionalMessageSubjectField" style="display:inline;font-weight:bold">Subject:</div>Re: [RE-wrenches] mate 3s locking<br><br><br><div dir="ltr"></div><div dir="ltr">Hi william</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Very tech fix with the relay!</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Fortunately or unfortunately there is no reliable web at the location but someone who manually checks things. </div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Yes the 3s still has some of the same problems </div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Thx</div><div dir="ltr">Jay</div><div dir="ltr">Peltz power. </div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br>On Nov 16, 2018, at 2:14 PM, William Miller <<a href="mailto:william@millersolar.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">william@millersolar.com</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote><div dir="ltr"><div class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d">Jay:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d">I have problems with all of my Mate3 and 3s controllers locking up. So much so that I have implemented the following steps:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoListParagraph"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d"><span>1.<span style="font:7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d">For most installations I leave the hub wire cover off and label the Mate lead. Clients are instructed to unplug and re-plug the Cat5 lead whenever the Mate locks up.</span></p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoListParagraph"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d"><span>2.<span style="font:7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d">On one installation I have a Control By Web unit ping both Mate3 units every 5 minutes. If either fails to respond after 3 attempts, a relay opens and closes the Orange/white leads which power cycles the Mates. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d">Locking up of Mates is a fact of life with Outback equipment. I love the equipment and I hate the equipment.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d">William</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d"> </span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#000000"><image004.jpg><br>Lic 773985<br><a href="http://www.millersolar.com/" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0000ff">millersolar.com</span></a><br>805-438-5600</span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,'sans-serif';color:#1f497d"> </span></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #b5c4df 1pt;padding:3pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma,'sans-serif'">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma,'sans-serif'"> RE-wrenches [mailto:<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Lones Tuss<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, November 16, 2018 12:42 PM<br><b>To:</b> RE-wrenches<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] mate 3s locking</span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">Hello All</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">And </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">Hello Jay</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">I just asked the tech support boss on this as I had no idea.</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">He has a test setup that allows him to switch individuals lines on the cat5 cables.</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">We can duplicate Jay\u2019s screen shot below by opening the some of the lines to the cat 5 cable.</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"><image003.jpg></p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">So as a start try replacing the cat5 between the Mate3S and the Hub.</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">Using the silicone grease that comes with a Mate is never a bad idea.</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">If your customer does not have a cable on hand I would try removing the cable several times perhaps that could help to dislodge any corrosion or dust on the connections.</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">I hope this helps.</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">Take Care All</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">-----Original Message-----</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">From: RE-wrenches <<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>> On Behalf Of jay</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">Sent: Friday, November 16, 2018 8:05 AM</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">To: RE-wrenches <<a href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>></p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">Subject: [RE-wrenches] mate 3s locking</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">** [EXTERNAL EMAIL] - Please report any suspicious attachments, links, or requests for sensitive information to the Help Desk. ** ________________________________</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">HI All,</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">I\u2019m wondering if anyone else is having mate 3s locking up problems?</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">I\u2019ve got 2 systems that have had this happen.</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">One is a big system ( 2 radians and 5 CC). Of course its a long ways away and no there isn\u2019t internet so no OpticsRE.</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">Its been reprogramed with latest REV firmware. No change.</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">thx</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">jay</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">peltz power</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">_______________________________________________</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">List sponsored by Redwood Alliance</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">List Address: <a href="mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a></p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">Change listserver email address & settings:</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"><a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</a></p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">List-Archive: <a href="http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html</a></p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">List rules & etiquette:</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"><a href="http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm</a></p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText">Check out or update participant bios:</p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"><a href="http://www.members.re-wrenches.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">www.members.re-wrenches.org</a></p><p class="m_-1013691863204981431m_-4633564531477624226MsoPlainText"> </p></div>
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