[RE-wrenches] Old Outback Mate question

[Kent Osterberg]

Allan,

I believe the original Mate is still available. At least my distributor 
still has them in stock.

Kent Osterberg
Blue Mountain Solar


On 9/5/2019 8:01 PM, Sindelar Solar 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 <mailto: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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