DuracellBunny's Built / Supplied / Installed Systems Review

Mista_Mobsta said:
What is the SANS appropriate conduit/trunking to use when looking at PV DC cables running outside -> inside the house via the ceiling-space down a garage wall?
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Last update on the extension was that they wanted to it to be a metal conduit and it must be bonded to earth. But this publication was put up and removed. Hell if they made that enforced I assume nearly 99% of installs with solar will fall under non compliant but I really doubt they will push that forward. The Rigid PVC conduits are just find as long as they properly secured and correctly rated to handle the power from the panels.
 
DuracellBunny said:
Last update on the extension was that they wanted to it to be a metal conduit and it must be bonded to earth. But this publication was put up and removed. Hell if they made that enforced I assume nearly 99% of installs with solar will fall under non compliant but I really doubt they will push that forward. The Rigid PVC conduits are just find as long as they properly secured and correctly rated to handle the power from the panels.
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Perfect! My installer, green card holder with wireman's license, installed PVC conduit straight throughout the ceiling space and only noted that the metal conduit is needed if you are running DC wiring in an area that is exposed by the sun/natural elements.

Mind you, I have PV cabling going to three separate areas in my house and all of the cables are inside PVC conduit and separated from any AC wires.
 
Mista_Mobsta said:
Perfect! My installer, green card holder with wireman's license, installed PVC conduit straight throughout the ceiling space and only noted that the metal conduit is needed if you are running DC wiring in an area that is exposed by the sun/natural elements.

Mind you, I have PV cabling going to three separate areas in my house and all of the cables are inside PVC conduit and separated from any AC wires.
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The SANS regulations when it comes to backup and solar, they still trying to crease out the kinks before deciding on something solid but by the looks of it and getting people in from other places to help with it, we in a wait for a while till something is set in stone. Just got to wait and see, what comes out and make corrections from there.
 
DuracellBunny said:
Last update on the extension was that they wanted to it to be a metal conduit and it must be bonded to earth. But this publication was put up and removed. Hell if they made that enforced I assume nearly 99% of installs with solar will fall under non compliant but I really doubt they will push that forward. The Rigid PVC conduits are just find as long as they properly secured and correctly rated to handle the power from the panels.
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Yep, that is where I picked it up from. It's a pity that these have not yet been ratified for several years.
 
DuracellBunny said:
You will be amazed at the amount of calls outs I am doing recently with systems not up to code. Heck even getting Victron installs gone wrong. Makes me seriously wonder how the heck.
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Greed. Everyone is jumping aboard, including those who dont know what they doing or worse,those who know what is right way, but cannot be bothered to do the right thing.
 
rh1 said:
Greed. Everyone is jumping aboard, including those who dont know what they doing or worse,those who know what is right way, but cannot be bothered to do the right thing.
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Is there even such a thing as a 'standardised building code' for solar installations regarding type of roof structure/panels/strings etc etc etc by some centralised agency or is it just kind of made up as the installers go along?
 
DuracellBunny said:
You will be amazed at the amount of calls outs I am doing recently with systems not up to code. Heck even getting Victron installs gone wrong. Makes me seriously wonder how the heck.
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Thank you for having the fortitude to sort out other people's mistakes. I know that many electricians are not prepared to touch someone else's mess, it's usually low value high risk work.
 
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Mista_Mobsta said:
Is there even such a thing as a 'standardised building code' for solar installations regarding type of roof structure/panels/strings etc etc etc by some centralised agency or is it just kind of made up as the installers go along?
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There is a standard in place, some places like banks and places of finance are placing the PV green card as a requirement also but simple things like thing's recommended by manufacturers in the user manual's and I see that as a basic not being followed. eg the minimum distance everything must be installed from one another.
rh1 said:
Greed. Everyone is jumping aboard, including those who dont know what they doing or worse,those who know what is right way, but cannot be bothered to do the right thing.
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Totally agreeable with that. Over the last few years, seeing the amount of help this thing not working right issue has become much more frequent. But yes the latter cant be bothered, if its done right and its safe to walk away from.
 
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RonSwanson said:
Thank you for having the fortitude to sort out other people's mistakes. I know that many electricians are not prepared to touch someone else's mess, it's usually low value high risk work.
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It's always a pleasure to help them out. Been zapped a few times because of these bad installs, especially in roofs. I don't mind having them on the correct up to spec code and safe. I hate leaving a customer knowing that they are in danger with what was installed and I can't fathom thou how others do that.
 
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Been a while since I shot this post back up :) I have been a busy little bunny with some trolley systems supplied to MyBB folks and also loads of setup's and installs off forum.

Systems supplied to myBB folks as of my last post.

@Ross11mmo 5kw Inverter and 5kw lithium Battery tucked away in a server cabinet. Beast of a weight.
@Prokill 2 X 3kw Inverter and 4.8kw Lithium battery on a trolley
@GlenC_KZN 2kw Inverter and 1.2kw Lithium battery on a trolley
Busy with a 3kw system currently for @Scandium

Off Forum work, Upgrades to existing systems, mainly panels and a few new installs. Support call outs for work done by others ( This still going on lol be it a Victron setup or a Kodak setup, I'm amazed how work like this gets away and found to be acceptable ) also a few much smaller systems off forum for those on a tight tight randela, 300w systems with lithium to keep a router and TV going for a 2 hour slot.
 
Have you got a website running yet or product offerings?
 
@ADrunkTeddyBear Last seen Feb 2024- are you still around? I am Phoenix based and looking for suggested installer. How is your system running, savings seen, we do get quite a few cloud days in Durban*.
@DuracellBunny ? - Nov 2023.

Being Phoenix based there are very few solar installations and rooftop solar is visible to be targeted - Trenance Manor* is bordering Amouti. I could easily buy a couple of solid inverter trolley's and also panels are quite accessible pricewise and I could diy to get through loadshedding, but at some cost point a full hybrid system tied to the grid becomes the better choice, which brings a professional into play - and not just any electrician.

* Full sun is 9-3PM, with a hill blocking the later afternoon sun.
 
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