T S Magnum
Newbie
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Posts: 33
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« on: January 17, 2011, 07:43:40 PM » |
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After a stuttering start with an unsuitable single MPPT inverter in November: http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,12388.0.htmlWe're hopefully back in the game with the SB 2000 replaced with a SB1200 and Dorfmuller 800/50 to run the two strings independently. Happy days! How it all looks now...    Big thanks to all those who offered VERY useful advice and highlight the problems I had not seen coming.  I will be keeping a close eye on the performance... |
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tony.
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« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2011, 07:49:09 PM » |
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The outside looks nice,but its a pity the installers didnt get a decent backboard and fit all the isolators and inverters onto that.
Hope the new install works out better than the last
Tony
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Iain
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« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2011, 07:57:52 PM » |
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Hi
Looking better, getting there.Glad it is working now.
I fitted the SB1700 and the instalation instructions said not to mount the Inverter on "flamable construction materials" or "near highly flamable materials". (Page 11 of the installation manual). Worth checking whilst you have your installer is handy.
Iain
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1.98kWp PV (11 x Sharp 180 and SB1700)
20 x 65mm Thermal and 180ltr unvented
6000ltr rainwater storage
Plymouth
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Outtasight
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« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2011, 08:51:03 PM » |
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Err.. why didn't they mount it on a wall? Most lofts have at least one brick wall that you could stick a back board on and fix this stuff properly. Some off-cuts whitewashed and screwed at a jaunty angle to the loft floor and roof joist? Wow! The boards are all different lengths too; for that "threw it together with some bits of spare airing cupboard shelf" look.  When it says don't install on or near flammable materials, I reckon wood is ok. Just don't go installing it on a pile of Sunday newspapers, next to a bucket of oily rags. If the inverter outer casing gets hot enough to set fire to a bit of 2x4, it will take the entire house out, regardless of what it was screwed on to. |
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« Last Edit: January 17, 2011, 08:53:11 PM by Outtasight »
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mespilus
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« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2011, 09:12:48 PM » |
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Why did you accept that shoddy unprofessional installation?
Is the right-handmost piece of white backer even secured to the joist at the top?
With a planned thoughtout layout most of the cable runs could have been shorter,
and
fewer crossovers.
If this is deemed acceptable within the first year of MCS,
what will sub-optimal installers hope to get away with in a couple of years?
My old man was an electrician,
and
that Chad Valley installations fails on so many levels.
Vertical, alignment, clipped cables, cross-overs, length of cable runs.
Ugh.
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Now in the HS2 blight zone
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Ki Lo Watt
Jr. Member
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Posts: 65
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« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2011, 09:41:40 PM » |
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Don't be too hard on them. The installers Will be fully accredited and part P cert'.  My concern with poor installations would be with the panels on the roof. Who checks the integrity of the structure/panels on completion? Will any failure of the roof structure/panels in the future be linked to poor installation methods!!! |
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firepete
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« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2011, 09:43:28 PM » |
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im sorry i have to agree with the others that is horrible .very poor installation. makes you wonder what else is wrong that you cant see.  |
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desperate
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« Reply #7 on: January 17, 2011, 10:33:44 PM » |
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Hi T S Magnum
Have an applaud, in the vague hope that you wont top yourself,
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Desp
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danny-solar
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« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2011, 06:22:23 AM » |
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You get what you pay for by the looks of it!!!
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Iain
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« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2011, 08:23:55 AM » |
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Hi Outtasight When it says don't install on or near flammable materials, I reckon wood is OK. Just don't go installing it on a pile of Sunday newspapers, next to a bucket of oily rags. If the inverter outer casing gets hot enough to set fire to a bit of 2x4, it will take the entire house out, regardless of what it was screwed on to. I am afraid I would have to disagree. My SB 1700 inverter gets to over 60 deg c on the back plate and if there was a fault I am sure could get hotter before the fuses blew. The Instruction book shows it on a brick wall and then says not to mount on flamable surfaces. I am sure the household insurance company would class wood/painted wood as flamable in a dispute. Remember the Soladins have just been recalled because of possible risk of fire. Iain |
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1.98kWp PV (11 x Sharp 180 and SB1700)
20 x 65mm Thermal and 180ltr unvented
6000ltr rainwater storage
Plymouth
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biff
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« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2011, 12:11:28 PM » |
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hi ts magnum,
good luck with your new install, you may be a bit annoyed with the comments from the forum members but i have to agree there is a risk of fire and that is the last thing you want to have to live with.
however you have it up and running now so you will see how it performs on good sunny days but the quicker you get the controls properly fireproofed the better.
biff
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SnaxMuppet
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« Reply #11 on: January 18, 2011, 12:29:12 PM » |
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I agree with biff. It has been a bit of a rocky road to getting your PV up and running so well done. At least now it is generating!  I agree with everyone else that you might want to sort out the equipment mounting to something more suitable. Ours is installed straight on the brickwork of the inside of my garage near the consumner unit so no fire risk there. Is straight on the wall possible? I am going to be very interested in your generation figures. I have my panels on a southward facing roof but I have plenty of space for additional panels facing east. I hope you post your figures once you are up and running. In the meantime... enjoy the pleasure (some call it smugness - can't really argue with that I suppose) of generating your own power. |
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Grid-tied 2.4kWp PV, 10 x 240Wp Phono Solar modules, Fronius IG20 inverter, Cornwall.
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Baz
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« Reply #12 on: January 18, 2011, 12:45:13 PM » |
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How about mounting on the side of a plastic water tank. Extra cooling, water frost protection, and fire extinguisher all in one.  |
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billi
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« Reply #13 on: January 18, 2011, 01:17:53 PM » |
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Hi TS Magnum
Nice to see a Dorfmueller in action and i assume they will become more popular in the UK with more difficult roof situations like in Germany
But in Germany one would need a so called "ENS" extra for it, that grants that the inverter shuts down in a grid failure
How is that regulated in the UK i wonder ? Or is the sunny boy taking care about this
Happy generating
Billi
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Guinness no Grid comes near
1.6 kw and 2.4 kw PV array , Outback MX 60 and FM80 charge controller ,24 volt 1600 AH Battery ,6 Kw Victron inverter charger, 1.1 kw high head hydro turbine as a back up generator , 5 kw woodburner, 36 solar tubes with 360 l water tank, 1.6 kw windturbine
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