[RE-wrenches] Old Outback Mate question

[John Blittersdorf]

Allan,
  Contact me off list.  I have many good MATE’s needing a home.  I have
sold many customers on the OpticsRE so I have a lot of orphaned Mates still
in good condition.

John Blittersdorf
CV Wind Service
200 West Road
N Chittenden, VT 05763

802-770-8625
John.blittersdorf at gmail.com

On Thu, Sep 5, 2019 at 11:01 PM Sindelar Solar <Allan at sindelarsolar.com>
wrote:

> 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
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
> New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
> Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
> *505 780-2738 cell*
>
>
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