Jay, Another good idea. We have thought about a "quick start" guide including the menu map, does that sound like it would work for most? I know that's what my new Cannon printer came with and when I had a wireless programming question I had to go online for the full manual.
Gary From: RE-wrenches [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of jay peltz Sent: Monday, November 03, 2014 11:26 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] magnum question 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(tm) for: ~ PV Installation Professional ~ Small Wind Installer NABCEP / IREC / ISPQ Accredited Continuing Education Providers(tm) 970.672.4342 On Mon, Nov 3, 2014 at 10:17 AM, Chris Mason <[email protected]<mailto:[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]<mailto:[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<http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm> Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org<http://www.members.re-wrenches.org>
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