Thanks, Allan! Yes, you are correct. Not our problem. But the system is so gorgeous and so close to actually working right........arrrgh. Perhaps a pleasant periodic visit with a Honda 2000ifor EQ, tea, cookies and a bill for hourly time and travel (it's not far away) might really be the best way to go about it all. I just wish we could tell the client to check battery electrolyte level and push the big EQ button on a set schedule instead of mucking about with all the PV controller menus on different components.....and then the whole de-education thing from AGMs to flooded now..... We appreciate your advice. With off-grid, it seems like a degree in Psychology would be far more helpful than anything in Engineering.......
Dan Fink, Executive Director; Otherpower Buckville Energy Consulting Buckville Publications LLC NABCEP / IREC accredited Continuing Education Providers 970.672.4342 On Sun, Mar 3, 2013 at 8:52 PM, Allan Sindelar <[email protected]> wrote: > Dan, > Like many baby boomers, I'm a child of an alcoholic parent, and thus have > the super-responsible characteristic that often develops as a result. I open > with this because I sense from your post that we may share this history in > common. You sound as though you need to make everything right for this > uneducated client. I'd just like to gently offer that you don't have to > rescue this situation from certain (or uncertain) doom... > > The customer didn't hire you to install the original system. It's not > equipment you normally use. The customer doesn't understand the system. The > customer won't buy a generator. The customer doesn't see the value of hiring > you to do what he can't. > > Dan, let it go, friend. Explain that flooded batteries need a periodic > overcharge called equalization or they won't last. Tell him you'll either > show him what to do - even write down the steps - or you'll show up > periodically to do what he won't, for a reasonable fee plus travel. Offer to > him that when these batteries fail you'll sell him a BIG set of AGMs that > don't need maintenance. The sticker shock isn't your problem; neither are > any of the other issues. Then exhale and walk away in peace. And send him a > bill for your time, knowledge and expertise. > > We have installed two XW systems, on a grid-tie and one off grid. The off > grid had one charge controller and a good generator, so I have no experience > with your particular programming situation - sorry. Even with the off grid > system, shortly after we finished the installation (and were paid for our > work) the owners decided it wasn't their retirement dream home after all and > sold the property. I eventually found the new owner, left a message offering > our services, including an orientation, and even noted that one 2V cell of > the existing reused battery string had shown failure. Never heard back. Am I > concerned? Nope. > > We do good work and support our customers well, including after hours and on > weekends when necessary. But for sure, those customers who most value our > work, rely on our knowledge, are loyal and who pay their bills promptly get > the best bend-over-backward support. Some of them even offer tea and > cookies. > Good luck! > Allan > > Allan Sindelar > [email protected] > NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer > NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional > New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician > Founder and Chief Technology Officer > Positive Energy, Inc. > 3209 Richards Lane (note new address) > Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 > 505 424-1112 > www.positiveenergysolar.com > _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: [email protected] Change email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
