System:

16X Canadian Solar 540w Panels

1x SunSynk 8Kw

2x Hubble Am-2's

1x Keto 1 with 200A fuses

1x N/E Bonding DB

70mm2 Batt Cables (Still need a decent Busbar) looking @ DIY

 

Items was ordered and most has arrived, waiting for the battery's and Keto 1 Disconnect.

Installed the Trunking and DB's yesterday. Will start wiring over the weekend as the panel brackets will only be back from Galvanizers in January.

 

 

12 hours ago, MXDURO said:

Installed the Trunking and DB's yesterday. Will start wiring over the weekend as the panel brackets will only be back from Galvanizers in January

So I guess S/S 304 is way too expensive currently, but nothing wrong with galvanized mild steel. I think most people go this route.👍

The install looking good so far, and if you have no use for the panels currently, I can assist. 😂😂

Enjoy the build, and anticipation of completion.

Stainless must be containing a tiny amount of gold these days, R289 excl / bracket just for laser cutting. 
Hot-Dip Galv will be good enough inland and works out way less than 304. 
If it rains again today, I will have plenty of time to start on what i love, the wiring. 

 

If I recall correctly from my days in the steel industry HDG is minimum 50microns and wears away at a rate of 5microns per year in the most extreme maritime conditions. Inland a good quality electro galv or even zinc passivation will be fine. 

Good luck with the installation!

Sounds about right should last about double that as it will be out of the sun ☀️ 

5 minutes ago, Scubadude said:

If I recall correctly from my days in the steel industry HDG is minimum 50microns and wears away at a rate of 5microns per year in the most extreme maritime conditions. Inland a good quality electro galv or even zinc passivation will be fine. 

Good luck with the installation!

Wiring done, 16mm2 was a challenge in the 8 way DB's

Must say the OBO trunking are nice to work with 👌🏿

 

Time to relax, waiting patiently for Hubble/PFstore to supply me my batteries and Keto 1 disconnect switch.

Rail mounting brackets almost ready to be plasma cut and send for Galvanizing.

May you all enjoy the festive season and keep the sunny side up.......

 

Maybe you can compare the price of producing your brackets to this one. 👍

https://www.fullcirclesolar.co.za/product/tile-roof-hook-vat-incl-2/

Install looking very pro so far.

 

Thankyou for the compliment TimCam.

Brackets will cost me just over half of that to cut and bend, but will only have official price once they go to the Galvanizers.

Hope to sell them for +/- R80 each. Made from 4mm plate and no welding.

 

The installation looks legit.

Well done so far.

Currently used as a big ass UPS.

Weather is a problem as i want to paint my roof before i install the panels.

 

 

 

Edited February 7, 20223 yr by HyperCut

On 2021/12/20 at 8:17 AM, HyperCut said:

Wiring done, 16mm2 was a challenge in the 8 way DB's

Must say the OBO trunking are nice to work with 👌🏿

 

Hi 

WOW, your installation looks amazing! What is that conduit called and where did you get it? 

Thanks Brett 

Hey Brett, sorry for the late reply been busy with a couple of other installations.

Bought from my local electrical supplier it is called OBO Trunking from o-line.co.za

Makes for a neat installation but have to warn you it is expensive. 

So my system been running for a few months now and the amount of power we have available is just beyond my expectations.

Decided to add another Hubble for a total capacity of 15 kWh with an average of 35% SOC in the morning.

Prepaid meter been standing still for 2 months even with all the cloudy / rainy days we managed to not use the grid.

SHOULD HAVE GONE TO SOLAR YEARS AGO !!! 

Edited May 26, 20222 yr by HyperCut

2 hours ago, HyperCut said:

Hey Brett, sorry for the late reply been busy with a couple of other installations.

Bought from my local electrical supplier it is called OBO Trunking from o-line.co.za

Makes for a neat installation but have to warn you it is expensive. 

Very neat install, thank you for posting.

You say that the trunking is expensive, any ballpark figures? What lengths are available?

2 hours ago, HyperCut said:

 

 

What are you hiding in the top orange box? Can you please show? I'm planning to get the same DB board for my system as well but want to see what's on top for ideas.

1 hour ago, YellowTapemeasure said:

Very neat install, thank you for posting.

You say that the trunking is expensive, any ballpark figures? What lengths are available?

Obo trunking available in 2m only paid +/- R600 per length, 90 Corners +/- R140 and T-joint +/- R140

24 minutes ago, HyperCut said:

Obo trunking available in 2m only paid +/- R600 per length, 90 Corners +/- R140 and T-joint +/- R140

Agreed that it is expensive, but looking at the aesthetics that's actually not too bad. Which retailer, or did you buy direct?

Just now, YellowTapemeasure said:

Agreed that it is expensive, but looking at the aesthetics that's actually not too bad. Which retailer, or did you buy direct?

Bought from a Electroware in Vereeniging. 

On 2022/05/26 at 11:28 AM, PowerUser said:

What are you hiding in the top orange box? Can you please show? I'm planning to get the same DB board for my system as well but want to see what's on top for ideas.

Just a cover for all the Surfix cables entering the DB

On 2022/05/26 at 9:08 AM, HyperCut said:

So my system been running for a few months now and the amount of power we have available is just beyond my expectations.

Decided to add another Hubble for a total capacity of 15 kWh with an average of 35% SOC in the morning.

Prepaid meter been standing still for 2 months even with all the cloudy / rainy days we managed to not use the grid.

SHOULD HAVE GONE TO SOLAR YEARS AGO !!! 

Wow , awesome setup! Well done 

On 2022/05/26 at 12:44 PM, YellowTapemeasure said:

Agreed that it is expensive, but looking at the aesthetics that's actually not too bad. Which retailer, or did you buy direct?

@YellowTapemeasure Definitely cheaper to purchase direct - I ordered the evening and they delivered the next morning.

 

@HyperCut Neat installation, great to hear you are getting through the night with current batteries -  As you said we should have done this years ago, however this kit would not have been available back then. 🙂
What is you average production from the PV's per day and what charge rate are you using on batteries?

 

@AC-DC AVG production is around 22 kWh per day, soon to go up, will be adding a 150 liter geyser (3kw) to preheat water for the gas geysers and heat-pump for the pool. Over some weekends we do manage to reached 50 kWh per day with the kids using the aircons.

Battery charge is set to 180A on Inverter so each batt can take 60A 

1 hour ago, HyperCut said:

@AC-DC AVG production is around 22 kWh per day, soon to go up, will be adding a 150 liter geyser (3kw) to preheat water for the gas geysers and heat-pump for the pool. Over some weekends we do manage to reached 50 kWh per day with the kids using the aircons.

Battery charge is set to 180A on Inverter so each batt can take 60A 

Thanks @HyperCut for the info - at least provides some means of comparison of systems and real expectations.
I am currently generating approx 16kWh on 12panels (2x6 JA460), with the remaining 6 panels going up this weekend (Hoping for 24k with 18 units).  Worst time of year to assess, entering mid winter, but at least we can state this is the lowest we will ever get.

First time I have seen anyone mention preheating water for the gas - has this proven to use less gas?
Running the heat-pump for the pool is a must - elaborates on the reason for having solar - reap the rewards and get to utilse things you previously avoided due to cost.  

Also currently running at between 50 - 60kWh per day, so long way to go to make a dent in the kitty. 
With only 12 panels still have charge rate at 100A, will increase after this weekend. Was thinking of 200A with 4 x AM2 and have 50mm cable throughout.  

Pv Production for the day +/- 33kWh

I have a Dewhot 16 CT Gas geyser installed for the bathrooms. The CT (Constant temperature) range geysers adjust the flame to output a set temp on the digital display. So if warmer water enters the geyser the flame adjust accordingly and uses less gas.

The Electric geyser will be installed with a solar valve.

The solar valve diverts water to the gas geyser if the temperature drops below 45 Deg and bypass the gas geyser if above 45 Deg. You can adjust the temp setting by 5 deg.

Electric geyser will be set on 65 Deg,

Hopefully on nice sunny days no gas will be used.