DIY solar battery storage

[Berserkerboy]

You can if you are installing it in the cu. Mine was separate and I just put a plug on the end.

Excellent...I can do that.

 

[Berserkerboy]

Anyway
I bought a rj45 10m extension and a rj45 female to female connector. As I didn't have room in my consumer unit I purchased a Wylex WBE3 IP65 3-Module and mounted the metre in that.

Is that ethernet cable?

 

[Andy1733]

Is that ethernet cable?

Yep.

Is that ethernet cable?

Yep. I used cat5e. It had the rj45 connectors on either end. Then I went to Screwfix and got a female to female connector. For a few quid.

 

[Andy1733]

The black coil in the first image is the one that comes with the clamp.
The white connector in the 2nd image is the female to female connector.
The blue rj45 end in blue in the 2nd image is the extension end in the garage

The last image shows the wylex unit in my house. The white cable from the left is the power. The small black and white cable is the clamp and the black wire is the other end of the rj45 extension

 

[Berserkerboy]

Excellent. That explains it all perfectly. Yeah, that's the way I can get it all connected up.
Thanks very much.

 

[Berserkerboy]

ITS supplied a DC switch to go between the battery and inverter. The cables from the inverter have the correct terminals to connect to the switch. However, the cables from the battery don't (battery to battery connectors supplied) and you have to cut a connector off and crimp round connectors on. I don't have the connector or a suitable crimping tool. Just wondering if I can get away with trapping the cable beneath the washer and bolt:?

 

[Andy1733]

Nope. Not something I would recommend. My battery's didn't reach the isolator so I purchased another set with crimped ends.


https://voltaconsolar.com/pylontech-battery-cables.html

 

[Berserkerboy]

Yeah, I'm not happy with it. Thanks for making my mind up for me. I've ordered the crimped connectors. Hoping my crimper is man enough for the job!

 

[johnb2713]

Yeah, I'm not happy with it. Thanks for making my mind up for me. I've ordered the crimped connectors. Hoping my crimper is man enough for the job!

You will need hydraulic crimpers for that size of cable / lugs.

 

[Berserkerboy]

Just realised that I've ordered the wrong size crimps anyway. Ah well, they may come in handy at some stage. Will have to think again.

 

[johnb2713]

Just realised that I've ordered the wrong size crimps anyway. Ah well, they may come in handy at some stage. Will have to think again.

I bought my Hydraulic crimps from Alliexpress, quick delivery, very good price and great quality

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...00031761454011!sea&curPageLogUid=KmZ2RMKYw1gB
If you lived nearer you could borrow mine.

 

[binky]

You will need hydraulic crimpers for that size of cable / lugs.

I've got a large set of manual crimpers that will do that size, but if desperate, there's always the bench vice, or the lump hammer

 

[johnb2713]

I've got a large set of manual crimpers that will do that size, but if desperate, there's always the bench vice, or the lump hammer

Of course, all the gear but no idea......

Thats me

 

[Berserkerboy]

So I've just bought Battery Cable Ring Crimps from ebay. 35mm2. Thinking I can fashion something to crimp them using the bench vice. I see there's a tool that basically punches the connector on.

 

[Berserkerboy]

I bought my Hydraulic crimps from Alliexpress, quick delivery, very good price and great quality

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...00031761454011!sea&curPageLogUid=KmZ2RMKYw1gB
If you lived nearer you could borrow mine.

Wow. That's deffo the tool to have. £6.95!! Looks too good to be true? Shame delivery is not till 10th March.

 

[Oldman22]

You used to be able to hire large lug crimping tools from your local electrical factors.

 

[Andy1733]

I was going to comment. Can't you find the contact of your local tool hire or solar installers and shop around these first. Tbh buying a pre cripmpet set would be the quicker/cheaper option imo

 

[Berserkerboy]

I was going to comment. Can't you find the contact of your local tool hire or solar installers and shop around these first. Tbh buying a pre cripmpet set would be the quicker/cheaper option imo

There are suitable crimpers available on ebay for £16. The pre-crimped cable is £66. I could then resell as I'm unlikely to use again. However, I'll visit my local electrical shop and factors first, also ask my electrician who I'll need to connect to CU.

 

[Berserkerboy]

The Solis hybrid inverter and fox battery I have both call for external grounding. Do I need to install a grounding rod or do I connect to CU earth?

 

[Andy1733]

Sorry berserkerboy. I'm not allowed to answer this one. Binky said Ive got to leave the electrical side to the expert's
Though I do know grounding and earthing are not the same (technically)