Home Solar System

[Yorkshire Andy]

One thing I'd suggest is fit the compression nut and rubber before stripping then you don't need to worry about splaying the strands whin you try and get it over the stripped cable

[jennyjj01]

One thing I'd suggest is fit the compression nut and rubber before stripping then you don't need to worry about splaying the strands when you try and get it over the stripped cable

Good point. I did it in the right order but wrote it incorrectly.
My cables were 4mm² and were tolerant, but I'd imagine there's far more care needed with 6mm

I wish I'd taken pics or done a vid, because my 4 cables had 8 perfect and beautiful connections and I never made any before. No errors and no wastage! It was getting a bit dark, so testing will be tomorrow ( assuming it's all made legal by then )

I MAY get an electrician in to connect it to the consumer unit and to sort out my garage wiring. to mitigate the small risk of big fire

Making my own cables leaves me with enough spares to re-install one of the old 100W panels with the old controller and batteries. I might point that due west to catch the evening sun. It would free up my trickle charger. I could also make it a quick exercise to swing my panel connections to the off grid system if tshtf.

[jennyjj01]

Update.
First teensie test run.
I don't want to export to the grid, just yet, but I wanted a quick test. To avoid export, I turned the oven on before connecting the stream. and installing the app. I must say I was disturbed by the warnings that google gave me during installation: Unsafe source, on your own head be it.... Clearly, we sell our souls to China to install these, with them having unthinkable network and device access. I could well see China turning off or weaponising all ecoflows if we find ourselves at war with them. Oh hum. Also, I mismatched password and confirmation only to be told that my email address was already in use. So I had to generate another email address/

So, with oven on, Drawing >2kW, I connected the stream. The display slowly incremented the 'Solar' and 'Home' power measurements to show between about 250W and 330W. This at 5:30pm on a totally overcast day. I'm suitably impressed. (2x 605W panels)
I haven't yet discovered how to get the app to give me details for the individual panels.
Next, I'm off to interrogate my supplir's smart meter. I understand that it can display running totals of Energy imported from the grid and exported from the grid. The latter should read zero.

[jennyjj01]

I haven't yet discovered how to get the app to give me details for the individual panels.

It shows PV1 and PV2 contributions if you drill the device on the left icon

Next, I'm off to interrogate my supplier's smart meter. I understand that it can display running totals of Energy imported from the grid and exported to the grid. The latter should read zero.

Press and hold button A on smart meter for 2 seconds and then scroll through pressing button A. It will eventually show Act_Exp, (Actual Export running total) which does, indeed, read 0 on my meter.


Anyhow, in other news, I've now (had) installed two 20A 4 Pole lockable rotary breaker switches. One isolates my two panels and the other isolates my 240V Grid connection. System Schematic for the G98 will look impressively thorough

I've scheduled an electrician to come and quote for connecting to consumer unit. Good sparkies seem very busy and booked up fo a month or so.

[GeraldTheBonzai]

Trying to find an electrician who understands this stuff is where I have failed. Most basic sparkies are fine for domestic wiring - consumer boards, new circuits etc. But all the ones I've talked to won't touch micro generation. The ones who are solar accredited just want to do the big jobs - roof solar etc.

This has been flagged as an issue by various trade bodies. The gov recommends that you get your circuits checked if you intend to install balcony solar. However the trade bodies are warning that most electricians dont have the knowledge to provide the service.

[jennyjj01]

Trying to find an electrician who understands this stuff is where I have failed. Most basic sparkies are fine for domestic wiring - consumer boards, new circuits etc.

Had a sparky round. Oh Boy this is going to sting.....

He'd done ONE consumer unit connection for a self installed PV setup, where the home owner had installed a 4 pole breaker, just as I have. He believed the breaker was 'required' even though the ecoflow instructions don't say so. He had at least heard of a G98.

It transpires that my CU isn't really up to the job. It only has one free slot, is of 70s vintage and does not feature earth leakage trips, which he strongly recommended. It's barely better than an old fashioned fuse box. Also the way the garage is wired in is outside of regs. Before he would replace the Consumer Unit, he would do an earth leakage test on all circuits. Gord knows where that leaves us if anything fails ( which would not surprise me)

I await the 'quote' but looking at the wrong side of a grand!!!!!

Also awaiting two other sparkies to visit and quote.

I could have said 'sod it' and just plugged it into a garage socket and sent in a G98. I could also just wait and see if G98 becomes un-needed.

However, to be honest, I'm almost happy to replace the consumer unit. It always seems to take a lot for anything to trip out.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Yeh erm 1970s vintage I'm guessing that's the realms of old wylex bakelite type board with probably 1990s upgrade with plug in circuit breakers

Something like this

[jennyjj01]

Maybe a tad newer.
You know I'm a tightwad, but I consider this a reasonable upgrade opportunity even at the high price. Just a bit cross to know that I could probably get away with a 99p 13A plug and that many of my peers already do so.

Oh hum. It is what it is.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Maybe a tad newer.
You know I'm a tightwad, but I consider this a reasonable upgrade opportunity even at the high price. Just a bit cross to know that I could probably get away with a 99p 13A plug and that many of my peers already do so.

Oh hum. It is what it is.

Worth asking if it's a full new board about socket circuits and lighting to be costed to include afdd (arc fault detection devices) a combined RCD MCB and arc fault breaker all in one great for fire safety but Pricey ok if you only need a couple but lot harder to swallow if you need a dozen

Or at least a board that's compatible at a later date

[jennyjj01]

Maybe a tad newer.
You know I'm a tightwad, but I consider this a reasonable upgrade opportunity even at the high price. Just a bit cross to know that I could probably get away with a 99p 13A plug and that many of my peers already do so.

Oh hum. It is what it is.

Worth asking if it's a full new board about socket circuits and lighting to be costed to include afdd (arc fault detection devices) a combined RCD MCB and arc fault breaker all in one great for fire safety but Pricey ok if you only need a couple but lot harder to swallow if you need a dozen

Or at least a board that's compatible at a later date

You love spending my money
I'll need to do some research as I struggle with these acronyms.

All I'd thought to ask was if the new board will make me any more ready for an EV