http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22618581 en Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:08:12 EDT Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:08:12 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22644179
Justin]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22644179 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:21:37 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22643776 Ethernet link between an SLE and VXR is showing down on both devices. This link is one of our main feeds so when it went down we had some inbound routing issues because I have not yet set up BGP so all of the space is advertised from where it is used but rather is advertised from all of the edges. I was able to get in to the edge router via ssh from my phone going over at&t and turn off bgp on that router. I am counting this as 2 min and 30 seconds of down time even though we were only black holed from about half of the internet. I am praying that it is the transector and should know in about an hour...

We also had a cpe router lose it's OSPF configuration but I think someone forgot to copy run start. I was able to get in from an adjacent router and re-configure.

So far that's all the damage I have heard about.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22643776 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:00:31 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22642837
I love the customers who call up in the middle of the thunderstorm complaining of the outage, like there is anything we can do...

i do though wish it were appropriate to put customers names up publicly, we have this one guy who seriously is a WISPs dream (absolutely no sarcasm, really a good guy), this guy desreves a thumbs up.

Any time there is an outage affecting him, he calls and leaves a very polite message to let us know he is down. When service is restored he calls back and leaves a very polite message to let us know its back up. He even says thank you every time.

This guy, I would go remount his equipment on a tv tower in the middle of a thunderstorm, but of course, he never has damaged equipment.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22642837 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:50:58 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22641380 said by kewlkeed:

I second the "Religious Zeal for grounding" above hehehe. It pays off. But again oddly I have some units that have less problems when NOT grounded, go figure.
The big trick sometimes is knowing where ground really is. We sit on a bunch of granite here in cottage country, and often have to run really long, multiple ground paths to where the nearest moist earth is. In some cases, more than 100' away.

A real PITA, particularly when the price of copper was way up there.

George
--
Don't steal, the government doesn't like competition!!!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22641380 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:27:46 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22637780
I love old homes. No grounds on outlets. No ground rod at all except a hundred feet away from the house where the aerial comes in. My favorite is aluminum wiring in the attic, with ceramic insulators ;) Good stuff.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22637780 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:48:32 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22637760 said by kewlkeed:

Let me clarify. I have some units that, when grounded properly to spec, have blown repeatedly... But when floated and not grounded, they don't.
There is no simple universal ground to spec. You are connecting to an existing grounding system that is often poorly constructed.
If a surge comes in on existing wiring from outside, and the lowest impedance ground is at the cpe, then you are likely to see damage.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22637760 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:40:48 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22635661
we charge for replacement of lightning damaged equipment. By the hour, and equipment costs.

We dont claim to be a fix all for Mother nature. And most of the time there are other pieces in the home that were damaged as well as a result of lightning. It's called, home owners insurance.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22635661 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:27:26 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22635577
Let me clarify. I have some units that, when grounded properly to spec, have blown repeatedly... But when floated and not grounded, they don't.

I don't go around and randomly pull off grounds and figure it works better because it doesn't blow up.
--
Justin - DSLR resident grouch and Mr Negativity
TSI Fanboy - "Dontchya wish your 'net was hot like mine! Ohhh Dontchya!"
Have a nice day!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22635577 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:11:53 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22635133 said by kewlkeed:

I second the "Religious Zeal for grounding" above hehehe. It pays off. But again oddly I have some units that have less problems when NOT grounded, go figure.
Randomly grounding parts is not a proper protection solution. You must analyze where the surge current is likely to flow, and what voltage rises can be expected. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22635133 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:50:13 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22632574
lol

For us the Ubnt's lost over 2 years can be counted on one hand. Be it lightning or whatever. With this storm like I said we toasted cables, but the radio just kept on going. We did toast another PS though but it was a heavy strike that would have arced across any circuit board regardless of make.

I second the "Religious Zeal for grounding" above hehehe. It pays off. But again oddly I have some units that have less problems when NOT grounded, go figure.
--
Justin - DSLR resident grouch and Mr Negativity
TSI Fanboy - "Dontchya wish your 'net was hot like mine! Ohhh Dontchya!"
Have a nice day!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22632574 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:35:04 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22631641 said by Inssomniak:

Would you charge again the customer for a new router? and replacement ethernet cards?
It just depends, but I do not generally warranty anything past the CPE (which I retain ownership of, and replace for free)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22631641 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:13:44 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22631619 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22631619 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:08:39 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22631562
During this aforementioned storm he was hit by lightning. We supplied and installed a router, and wired in 2 computers. The router was fried, as well as the ethernet ports in both computers, as well as the CPE (we saved that by using another port).

Would you charge again the customer for a new router? and replacement ethernet cards? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22631562 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:54:18 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22627518 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22627518 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:38:25 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22622831
I had one today, where Lightning hit a tree in the yard. He lost a few things in his NEW house. And our PS, POE, both ends of the cat5 (Keystone jacks) and the WAR1 board for his CPE. Didn't lose the radio card though LOL.

It's hit or miss for us though. Some times a bunch of stuff is broken. Other times, not a thing.

But in all fairness, I have been resetting electronics and radio transmitters after storms since I was in my early teens. I'm kind of used to it. Didn't say like it though :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22622831 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:59:26 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22622349
Even so, we expect to lose a half-dozen or so SU's during a typical summer storm season. We use a mixture of YDI/Terabeam/Proxim and Tranzeo units on the 2.4GHz system, and our 900MHz system is all Trango. The latter seem to be very robust in storms.

Now our presence on a "hot" AM tower is another story, but suffice it to say we lose some gear there at least once a season.

First post here, shows me as AT&T Midwest since I have DSL at home. But I do work for a WISP in Illinois.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22622349 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:06:08 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22622140 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22622140 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:59:51 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22620423 When I did return, went directly to her house and there was a scorched circle 10-12 feet around, the radio shattered on a metal pole and the clothesline that was attached melted away and on the ground. Not one mention of that or the fact her hydro also had to be rehung on the message machine, she tried to give the "I had no idea" look when I pointed it out.
That's the only radio we've lost to lightning in 7 years.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22620423 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:53:23 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22620164 said by Inssomniak:

Does anyone else have this problem? I cringe when I see thunderstorm warnings.
Two of my favorite things in life are thunderstorms and anything made by Marconi as they both fill my wallet.

Wayne


--
If you cannot fix it with a buttset and some beanies you ain't a technician]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22620164 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:43:58 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22619822 said by GNca George:

Those are really good. Must have been some storm.
It was ;)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22619822 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:58:08 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22619818
Those are really good. Must have been some storm.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22619818 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:56:38 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22619639
Enjoy.

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22619639 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:28:07 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22619600
We used to have a hell of a time with lightning, but over the years have developed a religious zeal for grounding.

We still have problems, but less and less every year. (Touch wood!!).

We typically run a daisy chain of Ethernet between all radios in the tower, so if we blow a switch or switch port at the base the radios still run. That was probably the biggest single improvement, along with shielded Ethernet grounded really well at the tower base...

Trango 900 radios are the toughest I have ever run across. Only lost a handful in six years of deployment with about 300 in the field. Wonderfully built.

George]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22619600 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:09:28 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22619593
The other outage was a PS5 unit that blew out that was close to a lake and there was a direct strike on the lake no more than 200 feet from the shore, so that probably explains that one. It also blew out the PoE, the router, and the router's power supply.

Everything else that's tower mounted just kept right on humming even with some direct strikes, I spent most of the storm shooting pictures of the hits. Wish I caught some of the tower strikes because they were amazing, but I was in the car rushing home to get the camera to shoot the rest lol. Timing timing timing.

(I don't carry a 1D around in my truck like someone I know *COUGHSPLITPAIRCOUGH*)
--
Justin - DSLR resident grouch and Mr Negativity
TSI Fanboy - "Dontchya wish your 'net was hot like mine! Ohhh Dontchya!"
Have a nice day!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22619593 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:04:53 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22618882
The best is the customers that call a week later to say they have been down for a week and are pissed. Hey if your service is out for more than an hour call in, its probably your gear.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22618882 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:43:52 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22618859 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22618859 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:40:01 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22618581
I guess it depends on where you are at., but here in the Golden Horseshoe area of Southern Ontario, Intense lightning and thunderstorms are a regular occurrence in the summer, sometimes a few times a week.

No matter where a radio is installed, or what kind of grounding it has, they either blow ethernet ports in computers or the radio itself, freeze up, or what-have-you.

Yesterday included 2 waves of intense storms, which spawned tornado touchdowns in some areas.

Does anyone else have this problem? I cringe when I see thunderstorm warnings.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Who-runs-around-after-storms-to-fix-customers-22618581 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:32:03 EDT