I just last week purchased an Acer Iconia Tab W500P running Win7 that has 2 USB ports on it in anticipation of getting the PVA-600. http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/iconia-tab-w500
The tablet itself comes with a dockable keyboard making it into a netbook configuration. The nice thing here is the Ethernet jack that becomes available in the keyboard unit, making it great for setting up DAS equipment. It has a solid state hard drive so it will be less susceptible to damage by being knocked around. I'll report back on its use with the PVA-600 in a while, but it looks encouraging! -Glenn Burt -----Original Message----- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jesse Dahl Sent: Friday, August 05, 2011 10:03 PM To: g...@icarussolarservices.com; RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solmetric PVA-600 The iPad has the same type of connection an iPhone has. I use a ASUS e tablet. It has 2 USB ports, a stylus and a wireless keyboard. It was the only tablet I could find that has two USB ports. The iPad might work with a USB cable to USB port. I use my iPad for fun, no work! Here is a long link to the tablet I use. Jesse http://www.google.com/m/url?client=safari&ei=nqA8TpCvNNLWsAepo5TCAQ&hl=en&oe=UTF-8&q=http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Slate-EP121-1A010M-12-1-Inch-Tablet/dp/B004HKIIFI&ved=0CBQQFjAA&usg=AFQjCNEC2nzdjXUo6mffExJjgyGMpuYKpA Sent from my iPhone On Aug 5, 2011, at 8:22 PM, Gary Willett <g...@icarussolarservices.com> wrote: > KEITH: > > "On the tech side- perhaps an iPad with the virtualization software could > remedy the tablet issue? Might need a unique connector or maybe go wireless?" > > The PVA600 requires a Solmetric USB dongle to communicate wirelessly with the > test instrument, and a second USB dongle to communicate wirelessly with the > remote temperature and irradiance sensors (if you purchased that option). > > I don't have an iPad, and am unfamiliar with its ports. Does it have at least > one USB? With a USB port, the iPad Windows virtualization software might > work. If I were you, I'd contact Solmetric Tech Support and see if this is a > supported (or at least functional) alternative to a Windows netbook/notebook. > > Gary Willett, PE > Gary at IcarusSolarServices.com > > > > > My sense is this tool, at this price point of $4k is a good investment for > various reasons. > > 1. Analytics- know right away what is right and what needs remedy. > 2. Old systems- maintenance program- I always ponder how many circa late > 1990's to today systems that are operating at or below their originally > projected performance. Its akin to fixing a leaky pipe. > 3. Real world- objective data- you or the tech grabbing the data- it can be > brought back to the shop and verified- as opposed to taking some measurements > and writing them down on a piece of paper on the clipboard. > > On the tech side- perhaps an iPad with the virtualization software could > remedy the tablet issue? Might need a unique connector or maybe go wireless? > > > Keith > > > ________________________________ > From: Glenn Burt <glenn.burt at glbcc.com> > To: gary at icarussolarservices.com; 'RE-wrenches' <re-wrenches at > lists.re-wrenches.org> > Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2011 8:07 AM > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solmetric PVA-600 > > > Thanks Gary, > That is a bummer knowing the dearth of Windows tablets available. Seems like > it would be a match made in heaven for real-time feedback. > > I am having the same disappointment looking for a tablet (small & portable) > to use when troubleshooting DAS systems. Hard to believe I am now complaining > about having to carry my laptop everywhere to do so, but I want lighter & > smaller! Not so easy to balance and work on your knee where inverters are > typically installed. > > *sigh* > > -Glenn > > From:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces > at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Gary Willett > Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2011 7:32 PM > To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solmetric PVA-600 > > GLENN: The PVA600 uses a Windows based application. > > I have a MacBookPro that runs Windows 7 natively using the "Bootcamp" > software that is bundled in with the Mac OS. > > So unless your tablet can run Windows in either native of emulation mode, > you're ( currently ) out of luck. > > As with most manufacturers, customer demand probably drives Solmetric and the > OS platforms on which the PVA600 software will run. Make your wishes for an > Android version known to them. > Regards, > > > Gary Willett, PE > Gary at IcarusSolarServices.com > > On 7/30/2011 9:47 AM, Glenn Burt wrote: > So the PVA-600 doesn’t require a Windows specific program to access the > logging device? > This has been a question for me as most tablets now run Android OS and not a > Microsoft product. > Is it just browser based perhaps? > > Thanks! > Glenn Burt > > From:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces > at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jesse Dahl > Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 2:51 PM > To: Keith Cronin; RE-wrenches > Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Solmetric PVA-600 > > I am using it right now. I really like it. It's great for storing records of > array/module parameters. Helps with pinpointing trouble modules or strings. I > have also used it to show customers what snow/dirt can do to a string. The > same can be done with a meter of course. Only works up to 20A so limited > off-grid use. > > I started out using a laptop with it but have since switched to a tablet > computer, it fits right in the front pocket and makes a nice little package. > > Jesse > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Jul 29, 2011, at 12:56 PM, Keith Cronin <electrichi01 at yahoo.com> wrote: > Any wrenches using this tool? > > > >If so, feedback? > > > >http://www.solmetric.com/pva600.html > > > >Bill- what is your take on its IV Curve measurement data? > > > >Perhaps its been a while, but I recall your tested was in the $20k cost zone? > > > >This seems like a reasonable tool to have and all of the benefits of > >commissioning plus being able to quickly identify challenges. > > > >It also seems to provide a glimpse into the future of mod manu's products > >and their efficacy over time. > > > >Aloha, > >Keith > _______________________________________________ > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Home Power magazine > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Options & 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 > _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & 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 _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & 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
