Wattsun trackers [RE-wrenches]

[Steve Willey - Backwoods Solar Electric]

Todd:
I have no experience with these trackers but I will copy your mail for
Steve's review. He's away until 2-8.

Scott

   www.backwoodssolar.com
Backwoods Solar Electric Systems
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2 miles from utility lines,
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----- Original Message -----
From: Todd Cory <toddcory at jps.net>
To: Wrenches <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2000 2:12 PM
Subject: Wattsun trackers [RE-wrenches]


> Hello fellow wrenches,
>
> What is the deal with Watsun trackers? I am curious if anyone else has
> problems with these? I have two of the older style single axis units
> that have worked flawlessly once the out of balance sensor conditions
> got resolved.
>
> I have a customer with a Wattsun model SX60-10 dual axis tracker. It was
> purchased in June of 1997. It is configured for 12 volt operation and
> run's off a cable fed from the battery bank, not array direct. The
> operation track record of this unit has been extremely poor.  In the 2 ½
> years since I installed this unit it has been out of service 6 times!
> This is embarrassing to me and the customer is very frustrated.
>
> Here's a detail of this unit's repairs:
>
> 6-97   installed unit delivered with broken motor / drive mount, unit
> non functional
> 8-8-97   replaced drive motor assembly, unit operational
> 10-98   East limit switch failure, unit nonfunctional
> 11-24-98  limit switch replaced, unit operational
> 1-99   limit switch loose connection, re-soldered, unit operational
> 9-8-99   East limit switch failure, replaced with spare, unit functional
>
> 9-29-99  motor binding, unit nonfunctional
> 10-99   replacement motor and gear assembly installed, limit switch
> activating too
> soon as gears incorrectly assembled at factory, repaired on site, unit
> operational
> 11-99  E / W sensors unbalanced, unit not tracking, noticed gear drive
> mentioned above has
> bad gear that needs replacing due to incorrect assembly at factory, unit
> nonfunctional
> 12-13-99  sensors replaced, unit operational
>
> and now 1-25-00, customer called to report unit non functional again...
> sigh
>
> While replacement parts have always been provided at no cost, this
> situation has been
> expensive and very frustrating for the customer. I am curious what
> "luck" others have had with these trackers, and what if anything other
> wrenches might suggest to get this unit working consistently without
> repair every few months. I know some dealers (photocomm, aka golden
> genesis, aka kyocera international) will not carry them due to these
> problems.
>
> Help!
>
> Todd Cory
> --
> Todd Cory
> KE6SXS
> toddcory at jps.net
> Bald Mountain Solar
> P.O. Box 689
> Mt. Shasta, Ca. 96067
> (530) 926-1079
>
> The privilege of a lifetime is to be yourself.
>
> Joseph Campbell
>
>


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