HI All, I've got many folks who are not very tech savy, so electronic manuals are a non option. I support the idea, just make it easy to buy paper copies. And really that includes me. I like a paper copy of the things I need. My phone while it has lots of manuals is too small to really read. I don't bring my table to the field except for known reprograming work ( classics). And the batteries never go dead.
What I would suggest is a map of how to get around. Back in the days of Trace and Tony would know this for sure, they used to include in the later years a large format map which showed the menus/ adjustments Mostly this what folks need IMHO. If they have a problem they'll call but sometimes getting them to understand where to go/ how to get there is difficult via phone. But a map included with each item ( RC/ARC only really) will really help out. Thanks jay peltz power On Nov 3, 2014, at 10:50 AM, Dan Fink wrote: > Here, we use a DropBox folder of manuals sorted by manufacturers that any > employee or sub here can access; if the site is so far off grid it has no > wifi or cell, they just have to download to their smartphone/tablet/etc > before the job. Clients get a link to just the manuals for their equipment on > Dropbox. > CDs or DVDs for docs are of almost zero use to us, I think there's only one > computer around here that even has a DVD drive anymore. USB drive or SD card > would be FAR more useful, We can read those on our smartphones. > Our most recent Magnum order last month still had paper manuals for > everything; I 3-hole punch those for the client's "brain book" that hangs by > their system control center by the fire extinguisher and baking soda with > "EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN INSTRUCTIONS" and a troubleshooting flowchart on the > cover. > Likely I'll be buying fewer 3-ring binders for clients in the near future, or > at least slimmer ones, but it's easy to include a couple pages of system > settings that can be filled in by hand by the installer, signed and dated, > right along with our battery bank inspection / maintenance forms, even if the > actual paper manuals are not there. Really prefer that clients don't mess > with system settings all that much anyway. > With systems where the client takes responsibility for battery bank > maintenance, I've found that the "guilt factor" of someone in charge seeing > that nobody on their staff has filled out that prominently displayed battery > maint form in awhile is a very effective motivator. > I like the dedicated old iPad idea, Chris! going to look for one used and > cheap, or a China tablet. > Sigh. Anyone here remember back in the day when your test equipment / > troubleshooting tool bag didn't include 2 different USB cords, thumb drive > full of firmware upgrades and manuals, a laptop computer and little inverter > to run it? AH well, at least we got MPPT now, 48v systems, MC4 PV module > connectors and thinner wire too. > > Best; > > Dan Fink > Buckville Energy > IREC Certified Instructor™ for: > ~ PV Installation Professional > ~ Small Wind Installer > NABCEP / IREC / ISPQ Accredited Continuing Education Providers™ > 970.672.4342 > > > > On Mon, Nov 3, 2014 at 10:17 AM, Chris Mason <[email protected]> > wrote: > Gary, > I have an older IPAD dedicated to manuals. I use PDF Pro to transfer them and > catalogue them on the IPAD and I take that to every installation. I have > dozens of manuals on the IPAD, and as long as I take the time to download > them and catalogue them they are always available to me. > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: [email protected] > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org >
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