[RE-wrenches] Old Outback Mate question

[Sindelar Solar]

Wrenches,

I have a customer with a 2005-era Outback VFX3648-based off grid 
residential system. Her original Mate had lost response on several of 
the six buttons. I told her that the Mate is no longer made, and a Mate3 
is larger (won't fit her space), expensive and overkill for her needs. I 
offered to attempt to repair hers, as it seemed to me that it would be a 
simple task. I removed the cover and the silicon button molding, and 
used a Q-tip with a bit of electronic cleaner and lubricant from Radio 
Shack to clean the contacts. When I put it back together none of the 
buttons made active contact.

- Any idea what I might have done wrong to cause further failure? I'm 
wondering if the cleaner included an oil that hindered conductivity, 
rather than enabled it, and whether trying again with denatured alcohol 
(or something more potent still?) might resolve the problem.

- Any suggestions about how to correct the (fairly common) problem of 
the buttons not making contact after years of service?

- Anyone repairing older Mates that you might pass on?

- Any way to buy a new or refurbished Mate?

Thank you for any help here.,

Allan

-- 

*Allan Sindelar*
allan at sindelarsolar.com <mailto:allan at sindelarsolar.com>
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
*505 780-2738 cell*

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches_lists.re-wrenches.org/attachments/20190905/dda6036b/attachment.htm>