May 30, 20197 yr How do they know about your "illegal"connection? As long as you do not back feed, it has nothing to do with them? Me thinks it is a private matter between you, your panels and your axpert.
May 30, 20197 yr 2 hours ago, Clivevan said: How do they know about your "illegal"connection? Aerial photography. They can see your solar panels. Also, the quality is a lot better than Google Earth, at least for Cape Town. 2 hours ago, Clivevan said: Me thinks it is a private matter between you, your panels and your axpert. The latest from CoCT seems to be that they don't care about inverters like this. Which is new, because I recall official (or at least official-looking) paperwork from that side saying the opposite, but let's ignore that. You need to officially declare (not register) that you are off-grid and show the CoC. This assumes that the inverter you installed is SANS10142-1 (or equivalent) compliant, which is a completely different matter especially when you factor in the large number of clones... but that apparently IS between a man and his electrician. Edited May 30, 20197 yr by plonkster
June 11, 20196 yr Author Update, I have everything that is on my list (for almost 2 weeks) as well as a PV combiner box and fuses with disconnect and battery disconnects. I will update the list before I start the install. I am at my 4th sparky that I contacted today and he said that he would sort me out this week with my DB box replacement. The previous 3 sparkys that I contacted and sent pics to, do not want to do the job. I could do this myself, and then get a sparky for the COC, but I do not want to. This is what I sent all 4, and I do not understand why it is such a mission to find someone to do the work... New DB box, all new breakers, just disconnect and reconnect after casing install.
June 11, 20196 yr Do you want that db fitted into the wall , or surface mounted over the existing? I wouldn't be too keen in chopping into the wall to fit the new on , maybe that's what deterred the other sparkies
June 11, 20196 yr Author It's a double brick wall in the garage. About 1 1/2 bricks to remove from the bottom.
June 11, 20196 yr Yip and chopping around the conduits then trying to fit it to the new casing and trying not to damage the existing cables at the same time . If you happen to damage a cable it's either chip some more wall away and try to repair or replace the cable which might or might not come out . It can be a real pain if it starts to go wrong.
August 9, 20196 yr Author I am finally back, to continue my project. After 6 x sparky's, and only one that pitched, but hasn't sent a quote in 3 weeks, I have moved forward by myself. The DB board replacement is done and will only be plastered and painted when all is connected. I have almost finished the backboard for the solar install that I need seeing that my garage wall is not nice and flush. With the lack of interest from electricians, I am going to do all the wiring myself and get a sparky to do the connection to the db. Edited August 9, 20196 yr by TheJoker
August 9, 20196 yr 3 hours ago, TheJoker said: After 6 x sparky's, and only one that pitched, but hasn't sent a quote in 3 weeks, Drop me a PM and I'll give you the details of two sparkies?
August 9, 20196 yr 9 hours ago, TheJoker said: I have moved forward by myself. Well done, looks great. 9 hours ago, TheJoker said: After 6 x sparky's, and only one that pitched, but hasn't sent a quote in 3 weeks 🙁🙁😤
August 10, 20196 yr Author The sad part of the 5/6 sparky's not pitching, is that they were all referrals...? Thanks Jaco Edited August 10, 20196 yr by TheJoker
August 10, 20196 yr According to some study recently (done by a private entity I can't remember the name of), South Africa now has shortages in IT people, plumbers, electricians, financial advisers, fitter/turners, welders... basically the entire spectrum. I am not surprised that sparkies don't have to chase customers.
August 22, 20196 yr Author Going slow, but going nevertheless... Self made stainless battery bracket for 3 x batteries mounted as well as the inverter, playing with the layout atm I only have 2 x batteries, if not enough, I will add another or if enough I will shorten the brackets I used 20mm marine ply and 44x44mm pine frame 3mm Aluminium top sheet to be fitted once all holes are done All wires are going to be in trunking at the rear Still need to buy some odds to complete, but don't have a lot of free time to do so
August 22, 20196 yr @TheJoker - Very nice. Just one point to ponder. I would have open space above and below the MPPT. They can get quite hot and needs free flow of air.
August 22, 20196 yr Author All is mounted on the 3mm aluminium plate, should ensure good heat dissipation. The panel is going to be on the wall in the garage, nice and open. I have not mounted that yet, still playing around, only battery bracket and inverter has been mounted I was going to look at other installs to get an idea of space
August 23, 20196 yr Nice work . It's coming together . Maybe consider how the DC and AC cables run at the back trying not to get them too crossed over
August 23, 20196 yr Author Thanks Seant, all AC in it's own trunking left and all DC right. I know that AC and DC may not share the same trunking. I will post when I get to the wiring part
August 23, 20196 yr I never though I would live in a world where people show off their DB boards. LOL.
September 3, 20196 yr On 2019/05/13 at 7:27 PM, The Terrible Triplett said: Been told this morning there are no 5kva Multiplus II inverters in SA nor in the Netherlands. Demand is far exceeding manufacturing. Any update on the 5kva Multiplus II stock?
September 3, 20196 yr 23 minutes ago, Ironman said: Any update on the 5kva Multiplus II stock? There seems to be in SA now yes. Not on "The List" yet, but I presume that will come.
September 3, 20196 yr 34 minutes ago, Ironman said: Any update on the 5kva Multiplus II stock? There being no load-shedding, you should be able to find stock easily. Due to some hard to control factors there is currently a bit of a delay in shipping, so there are some people here and there waiting for stock.
February 13, 20206 yr Author Panel painted and all items mounted. Got an installer to do the wiring and board mounted on the wall. I will ask him if I can add his details here.
February 13, 20206 yr Author Been running for about 2 weeks using my blue wall as UPS, all going well. Been putting my OCD to work on making the panel look less boring, still going to change some and plaster and paint once all done.
February 13, 20206 yr Author Solar panel frame was mounted yesterday.... almost there.... panels going up today
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.