Generators, Inverters and Equipment – Frequency and Voltage
How appliances tolerate different voltages and frequencies falls into several groups.
A New Name
The NTM Tech Center has changed our name to Offgrid Tech. With our expanding ministry context we endeavored to choose a name that accurately sums up our part of global evangelism. Offgrid Tech is a ministry of Ethnos360. Ethnos360 was founded as New Tribes Mission in 1942 with the goal of reaching people who have […]
Outback Charge Controller Data Logging
The Outback FM80 / FM60 series charge controllers keep a 128 day running log of many different voltages, wattages and times. This information can be useful in troubleshooting problems, monitoring the status of solar electric systems, and determining system battery status. Data Logging can be thought of like a 128 day history of the charge […]
How Shading Affects PV Solar Panels
When installing PV solar panels much care should be taken to ensure that the PV solar panels remains fully unshaded for the maximum amount of daytime hours. This has a much greater impact than some may understand. The most critical six hours of the day are the three hours before solar noon and the three […]
Refrigerator and Freezer Concerns
Keep refrigerators and freezers dry: In order to extend the life of any refrigerator or freezer, they should be kept as dry as possible. Water will cause rust on the internal Freon lines causing premature failure. Water can also infiltrate the insulating foam causing damage. A refrigerator or freezer should not be placed in a […]
Water Filter Canister Troubleshooting
Proper Placement of Water Filter Gaskets: The NTM Tech Center has received reports of problems with water filter gasket placement. This is for most types of water filter elements: MCR5, Black Berkey, and ceramic water filters. It is important that the gaskets be placed directly on the bottom of the water filter canister BEFORE being […]
Tesla Powerwall for Missionaries?
With the announcement of the Tesla Powerwall, we have been asked if the Tesla Powerwall is something that will help missionaries. The short answer is “No”, at least for now. Read on for a more technical explanation, or just know that the NTM Tech Center is always on the lookout for new technologies and products […]
The Replaceable Three Legged MOV
The NTM Tech Center continues to improve the PV solar electric equipment we supply to missionaries around the world. Part of this improvement includes incorporating new technology into existing products. Metal-oxide varistors (MOVs) have long been the mainstay of lightning protection. MOV’s act like very fast acting switches. When the voltage across them exceeds their […]
Buying Batteries In-Country
The NTM Tech Center has been approached on several occasions to recommend batteries that can be purchased in-country. This is nearly an impossible task. Depending on the country, there may be a hundred different possibilities. Many batteries come from countries that do not follow the same testing, design, or quality control procedures that US, Canadian […]
Generator Procedures to Prevent Surge Damage
We have recently had several cases of equipment being damaged while being used on backup generators. Power equipment needs its full rated voltage all of the time, any time the voltage is outside of this range, damage can occur. When a generator is starting and coming to a stop, the output voltage will be erratic.Simply […]