Noobie Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 So I have managed to sell my dirt bike and get hold of a couple of ronds to buy some solar panels which I will connect to my inverter. I have put together a list of my requirements (I hope I haven't left anything out) and was wondering if you guys were able to point me in the right direction regarding sourcing these items in Johannesburg. Please bare in mind that I am on a tight budget! I may not have all the terminology correct but heres my list: 6 x 250watt solar panels 2 x MC4 male connectors 2 x MC4 female connectors 2 x Fuse holders 2 x 10amp solar fuses 1 x surge arrestor 16 meters of aluminium mounting rail (4 meter lengths) 16 x tiled roof mounts (preferably aluminium?) 8 x end clamps 8 x middle clamps 100m of 4mm solar cable Stainless steel nut and bolts Thanks Dane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Just an idea. Found these connectors to be more convenient: http://www.bushpower.co.za/content/product_images/CON-2P-50.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spikeza Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Just an idea. Found these connectors to be more convenient: http://www.bushpower.co.za/content/product_images/CON-2P-50.jpg On your panels thats interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Indeed. Found the solar connectors flimsy. Removed the panel wires, connected them together as needed with one set of wires down to controllers, per controller. Now I can disconnect the panels from controllers completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noobie Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 Thanks TTT Where did you source your mounting equipment (brackets, roof brackets etc?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Just an idea. Found these connectors to be more convenient: http://www.bushpower.co.za/content/product_images/CON-2P-50.jpg I want to do the same thing, for two reasons. In the unlikely even of heavy weather, you can disconnect your panels completely. And secondly, when testing stuff (such as charge controllers), it's easy to temporarily relay the energy by unplugging and replugging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Where did you source your mounting equipment (brackets, roof brackets etc?) Because I installed in the days before it was common (read unaffordable) to buy frames (actually, there where none for sale), I had them made from aluminium. QUITE a bit cheaper, even at today's prices. We also have a Diamond Deck Roof for which there are no fasteners, so we made a plan for drilling through the sheets, into the trusses, was not an option. So we made clamps from aluminium to mount the frame onto the ridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 I bought steel from a local supplier, got out ye olde welding machine, welded up my own frame. Painted really well with P5 and P4 (first frame) and on the second frame I used Duram DTM (direct to metal). What I can say about that, the P4 and P5 combo works well, no rust. DTM is rubbish though...So because the frames are steel, I had to isolate the panels. For this I used these bitumen strips used for sealing roofs.Why steel... well, cause that is what I grew up with, and I had to put these up on a very limited budget :-) SOLARWIND 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noobie Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 I just used DTM on the frame I welded up to cover up my JoJo tank I was thinking I could either weld up the roof brackets but was concerned about longevity and rusting of the mild steel. I will do the exercise and find out if its more cost effective to have stainless steel or aluminium brackets laser cut and bent or purchasing some ready made ones. Plonkster, I'm not sure that I understand why you had to insulate the aluminium panels from the steel frame, would you mind explaining why you did this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Galvanic corrosion. Aluminum and steel have different galvanic indexes. If you put aluminium in steel the steel rusts. If you galvanize the steel it's even worse because zinc has an even higher index :-) Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk SOLARWIND and edmundp 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noobie Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 Now I'm glad I asked! Thanks for the heads up ___ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noobie Posted January 10, 2016 Author Share Posted January 10, 2016 Has anyone dealt with Sunsave.co.za before? They have 250watt Yingli panels on sale for R2565incl and free shipping, almost seems too good to be true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Yingli panels are good I hear. Know of the factory in Somerset West, where they get the panels before distribution. Hear they have a very good warranty and prices are very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hobson Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Yingli solar is the largest PV manufacturer in the world. I have 12 x 250W panels for which I paid the same amount but that was before Zuma told the world that Africa was the largest continent in the world and fired Nene. I have been very happy with them bought them from Rubicon in PE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noobie Posted January 11, 2016 Author Share Posted January 11, 2016 Thanks TTT & Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Sunsave? Heard good things. Sent them an email once, no reply. Mixed feelings. Didn't know Yingli was in my home town, thanks for that info TTT :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noobie Posted January 11, 2016 Author Share Posted January 11, 2016 Eish, I will tread lightly and let you all know what the outcome is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Thanks TTT Where did you source your mounting equipment (brackets, roof brackets etc?) I used the Powar Snap brackets, 4 per unit @ R21 ea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wetkit Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 The connectors you mentioned is Brad Harrison connectors. I have used the same for my camping solar setup. However, I would not use this on a permanent home solar system. The connectors is not water proof, so corrosion can happen and high voltage mixed with water is an big issue. I guess for your 150V max PV system it could work ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Wetkit, the Brad Harrison connectors are to be at the controller/s, not on the roof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdiy Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 I used Duram DTM (direct to metal). What I can say about that, the P4 and P5 combo works well, no rust. DTM is rubbish though... I have the same experience with DTM - complete and utter rubbish. ___ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noobie Posted January 20, 2016 Author Share Posted January 20, 2016 So I have decided on the ReneSola 250watt panels but am concerned that the Solar World Sunfix module clamps won't work. The reason I say this is that the ReneSola panel is 40mm and the Sunfix module clamps and edge clamps are 34mm? Does anyone have any experience with these suffix clamps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spikeza Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Ive been told it wont work but not 100% sure. What you paying for the ReneSola Panels? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noobie Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share Posted January 21, 2016 Ive been told it wont work but not 100% sure. What you paying for the ReneSola Panels? Will PM you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noobie Posted January 30, 2016 Author Share Posted January 30, 2016 So I got my 6 x 250w ReneSola panels from ReneSola in Midrand. Got my roof hooks, clamps and rails (PLP range) from Yingli solar also in Midrand. And my surge arrestor, MC4 connectors and cable from Rubicon. I decided on using DC circuit breakers in my combiner box instead of fuses, they were more expensive but I think it was the right decision. I sourced the circuit breakers from MCE electrical in Joburg but I believe Rubicon also supplies them. I will be running a 4mm earthing cable between the aluminium rails and this will then be run back to the main earth in the DB board. I am hoping that the contact surface area between the aluminium frame of the solar panel and the rail will be sufficient to have earth continuity between all metallic items . I am starting my install today and will post some pics as soon as I have made decent progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.