To all those PV watchers

[binky]

Yep Steps, just can't do it without the insertion tool, I've tried!! Don't like MC3s personally, but some inveretrs have them as standard, and Sanyo panels are fitted with them. You can get MC

 

[steptoe]

Hate to say this, but you can pull/push the boot over an MC3 fairly easily,

There is just a knack to it, fair enough, if you are doing dozens of them the tool prob makes it easier,

But I can do them in about 15 / 20 seconds.

Couldnt justify

 

[binky]

Tried brute force and ignorance after being careful and delicate. Didn't work for me :^O

 

[Sidewinder]

dbicket,

Welcome to the forum.

Please tell us a little more in the introductions section?

It would be nice to have someone with your solar install experience on the forum to discuss things with.

 

[binky]

dbicket, would be very interested to know how long 50kW system takes to install - got someone making noises at me to do this sort of installation, but I suffer from being a time optimist and usually underprice such work I know every job is different, but some ball aprk numbers would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ISSWWW]

Hi binky.. I made the jump to solar pv about a year back now and must be pushing around a 40 - 60 installs. From 2kw systems to 50kw systems. I subcontract to a mcs company in Scotland and handle most of there installs. I wouldn't say it was easy step to take with my small company but looking back I would still have done it. I handle the electrical install and we get a roofing company to install the pv panels. We stick mostly with sma inverters and I find these to be the best. With the sunnybeam display ( optional add on) and sunny express for Bluetooth enabled computers the interface is endless, with detailed charts for kwh produced per day, week ,month , year I find this hard to beat. I have worked with fronius , power one and del ako inverters but to me I think the sma is the best. As far as tools for start up are concerned it's a bit of a minefield. We currently use on a daily basis mc3 crimper, mc3 insertion tool( sanyo panels) mc4 crimper, mc4 spanners ( sharp panels ) fluke dc current meter, fluke installation tester and fluke multimeter. ( costly). Plus initial start up cost for training on niciec course. But on the other hand I am now carrying out at least four installs a week. I enjoy the work and there is some feel good factor when you walk away from the job every night.. I could keep typing but I will open the floor to comments .. Ps first post.. Go easy ..

We can't help with the panels or Inverters but we certainly would love to talk to anyone about Test Equipment, Tools, connectors, Metering and Isolators. As i have mentioned before we have all the test eqiupment required but we now also sell thousands of connectors and generation meters. Lately we have added distribution boards for both domestic and the larger 40/50kw type jobs, in the small unit we have an isolator, type A rcbo and MID approved meter however we can cater for most variations. I have just quoted a panel for a 40kw job and the unit was

 

[kme]

Mark - I`d like a price on generation meters - I may be able to interest my mate in `em, at the right price (and he`ll have LOTS).

Can you get, or do you have, the "REC4" disconnectors?

Dbicket: I`ve also been queried about a big install - info would be appreciated.

KME

 

[dbicket]

Hi Binky.. All depends on labour you can put on job, design and mounting kit really!!

A squad of four in our work recently completed a 50kw in four days, a fifth day for me to return and commission system. This compromised of 200 sharp panels, 9 strings and three sma tripower inverters .

This was mounted on metal clad roof simply by removing cladding fixing bolts and screwing them back with Hilti uni, with foam waterproof strip in-between .

The difficult parts can be access onto roof, carrying 200 panels onto roof is never easy + some sort of edge protection or harness system always holds you back. Scissor lift is usually the best way to lift them up( terrain permitting).

If you are mounting the panels on a A frame allow extra time for this as can be time consuming plus usually require some sort of ballast( slabs sand bags etc)

In a nut shell I would always price job for around 10 days labour for three to four guys.

Hope this helps ...

Hi.. Yea used to use a bit of brute force to get them on before I stumbled on mc3 insertion tool. Find that the tool doesn't put the mc3 end through the same abuse and seems more secure once in place.

All said not sure about durability of tool as it's not as good as when I first got it.. Think I may need new plastic inserts for it soon.!! And what's the chances of getting them on there own..???

 

[ISSWWW]

Mark - I`d like a price on generation meters - I may be able to interest my mate in `em, at the right price (and he`ll have LOTS).Can you get, or do you have, the "REC4" disconnectors?

Dbicket: I`ve also been queried about a big install - info would be appreciated.

KME

The popular generation meters are the Elster A100CP and the L&G 5235B, i can offer them to the Forum members at

 

[kme]

I`d be interested in cost of the Wylex ones - that looks like a really neat & sexy solution for the customer

 

[binky]

Hi Binky.. All depends on labour you can put on job, design and mounting kit really!! A squad of four in our work recently completed a 50kw in four days, a fifth day for me to return and commission system. This compromised of 200 sharp panels, 9 strings and three sma tripower inverters .

This was mounted on metal clad roof simply by removing cladding fixing bolts and screwing them back with Hilti uni, with foam waterproof strip in-between .

The difficult parts can be access onto roof, carrying 200 panels onto roof is never easy + some sort of edge protection or harness system always holds you back. Scissor lift is usually the best way to lift them up( terrain permitting).

If you are mounting the panels on a A frame allow extra time for this as can be time consuming plus usually require some sort of ballast( slabs sand bags etc)

In a nut shell I would always price job for around 10 days labour for three to four guys.

Hope this helps ...

Very useful, thanks. Its the fiddling about that always takes more time than I like / allow for, so a week for the leccy bits and another week for 'rest of stuff' sounds 'bang on'. Just like my normal plan of think of a number and double it!!

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 10:24 ---------- Previous post was made at 10:22 ----------

The popular generation meters are the Elster A100CP and the L&G 5235B, i can offer them to the Forum members at

 

[kme]

I`d have assumed.......................I would HOPE so, mate

 

[binky]

assume nothing except a casual stance whilst sipping tea :coffee

 

[kme]

assume nothing except a casual stance whilst sipping tea COFFEE :coffee

FCOL - do we have to spell it out every time???? T - a letter in the alphabet. Coffee - Ambrosia of the workie.

But I DO like your post, mate

 

[kme]

coffee is for real workers - I can`t handle it, so I drink watered down leaves, too !!!!

Wuss :slap

 

[kme]

Now look.

Until you`ve:

a) got slathered on "red death export"

AND

B) shifted a few draught Theakston`s Old peculier - the REAL stuff

OR

b.2) 12 or more "killers" in 1 session (get a bottle of newcastle brown, remove the top, and you`ll find there`s enough space to get in a shot of pernod ] )

you haven`t been drunk!

n.b. I`ve had black death - and yes, its niiiiiiiiiiiice - Rhum does a similar job, but better though!!!!!

Never heard of "fire in t`hole" (though I expect you`d know all about THAT the next day.........................)

 

[kme]

You have had fallen angel brewery naga chilli black death ? You drunk the whole bottle ? :slap

:Blushing Don`t think I actually said THAT.......but I like to think it was more than half the bottle....... :^O

 

[kme]

:coat

 

[steptoe]

I got the apprentice plumber a GREEN CHARTREUSE at the lakes job, he couldnt speak for nearly 5mins, then just a gasp for the next half hour :slap

 

[binky]

FCOL - do we have to spell it out every time???? T - a letter in the alphabet. Coffee - Ambrosia of the workie.But I DO like your post, mate

I did wonder if some predantic bugger would notice the coffee smilie, used cos there isn't a tea icon :^O