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Forum Index : Off topic archive. : Solar install
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AMACK Senior Member  Joined: 31/05/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 184 |
I have been waiting since April for a Perth based company to do my install of 9 X 180 panels and a 2.5 kw sunny boy. The sales rep came over an hour out from Melbourne to talk to me and get people to sign up. He said 6 to 8 weeks at the most. I paid a deposit and sent them back the paper work on the 26-3-10 and I am still waiting. 
They have sent me a letter each month to say there is a world shortage of panels and push it back another month. I wish from the start they told me it was going to be 3 months and not feed me so many lines. 
I would not recommend them to anyone. If you want to know the company you can ask me, but I am not sure if I am allowed to post there Name. Andrew *Note to self 1. Make it thick 2.Make it heavy. 3.Make it stronger than it should be. 4. Don't rush the first job as the second job will cost more and take mor |
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| brucedownunder2 Guru  Joined: 14/09/2005 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1548 |
Hi Andrew,, Mine took nearly a year to be installed.. They only cost me $355 ,so no big deal .. I'm going to take mine off the roof ,(they look horrible up there), and put them on a tracker..I'll build all the stuff myself ,cost me nothing.. The savings on a 1 Kw system ,which I have ,is not much ,prob boil a kettle or two per day ... I think. Bruce Bushboy |
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| VK4AYQ Guru Joined: 02/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2539 |
Hi AMAK This seems to be a industry norm as there arnt enough certified installers licensed to do the job, the companies take your deposit and then make you wait once they have your commitment I waited for 12 months after paying deposit and only got action when I threatened them with legal action, as for the shortage of panels that is male bovine excrement as I can get as many panels as any body would want at prices half what the dedicated fitter companies are charging, I think be like Karl and do it your self if you are able to do so. I will be upgrading my system and I can guarantee there wont be a fitter company back on my property again. All the best Bob Foolin Around |
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KarlJ Guru Joined: 19/05/2008 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1178 |
Amack I'm in Perth, time for you to drop by I made my decision, picked up the kit the afternoon after i paid a deposit and pretty much installed it that week.... 4.44KW for 12K laughing. If you can get out of it (deposit) I'll help you out. 10panels ~2KW $5500 CMS2000 $1750 Racking $800 BOS $200 INstall by CEC dude ~$900 out about $3-4K for 2KW. you wont do better! www.solardirect.com.au for panels (polys if you have the space) www.pindanpower.com.au for the inverter / racking (bulletproof best racking ive seen) ebay or www.greenwayenergy.com.au for breakers / label kit / box Luck favours the well prepared |
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| KarlJ Guru Joined: 19/05/2008 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1178 |
BTW LOL Bob every installer I hit up said nope nope nope we do this we do that I'm not stupid, basically i reckon they are all pretty rough. seen guys installing arrid roof feet into 0.42 tin roof with sheet metal screws (no batons) "yeah mate the panels are great, but in the nextdoor neighbours backyard!!" the installers are OK i'll give them that most are interested in STD installs. I'm interested in performance for price and for that everything and i mean everything needs to be matched. check out the performance curves on that SB2500 vs the CMS 2000 at half the price. why anyone uses these overpriced dinosaurs is beyond me. the LAtronics I have respect for (I own one) as it does wind! but as for the rest no excuses why they should be running in the mid 80%'s for conversion efficiency. should be 95% or better. should have a voltage window that actually makes sense too. "We always mount the isolator there" why "because thats a good place that cant be seen from the street" WTF? you've added another 15m of cable run..... Why did you mount the inverter in full sun? cause its on the wall next to the meter box (derates due to high temp) why put the inverter there close to the panels.... to keep the DC run to a min length but the DC is at 360V and the AC is at 250V the losses in the ac are higher..... Plenty of guys out there that really dont know too much about why they are doing things and this worries me greatly. Dad's install is a classic mount the inverters on the inside of a tin shed facing north on the mezzanine level. 20m from the meter with 400V on the DC side even after I left him enough space to mount them next to the wind turbine inverters... dumb as Oh and then one of them went bang as they connected 12 panels in series max voltage 500V 12x44= better than 500V BOOM! what more can I say. as for the plumber -god help us, this guy was a trade school teacher and the best he could do for a tile penetration was to cut the tile, go around the pipes and glue it back together..... BUTCHER! Luck favours the well prepared |
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| AMACK Senior Member Joined: 31/05/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 184 |
Hi All, I have got to the point were I am about over the company from Perth doing my install. I have enough letter from them telling me Bull reasions for the delays that I could wall paper the house. I rang them again on Tuesday and they said they are now weighting on the invertors? They also told me the pannels set were the wrong ones sent. I was to get 9 X 175watt ones and the ones sent were 190watts. The bloke I spoke to the first four times I rang has left and the new bloke said there are going to up grade my system to 9 x 190 pannels, but I just dont know when. When I spoke to him he said the Invertors should be in by the end of the week and the installers here in Victoria will know in 48 hours of when they can install my system. I still have not had a call and I dont think I will get one unless I call them. The bloke over the hill from me that signed up with them and pulled the pin some time back got his system install Yesterday by another company, His system is only 1410 watts with a 3kw invertor so he can add later to it.
$*#@ &%$@ *Note to self 1. Make it thick 2.Make it heavy. 3.Make it stronger than it should be. 4. Don't rush the first job as the second job will cost more and take mor |
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Gizmo Admin Group  Joined: 05/06/2004 Location: AustraliaPosts: 5116 |
I am SO glad you havn't mentioned their name 
Its never a good idea to mention business names on the forum if you have had a bad experience with them. Depending on what you say, they can take you to court for slander. Posting on a forum is just like posting it in the local newspaper, you really need to make sure all the facts are spot on in case you get called up before the judge. The facts your posting are pretty good, you wouldn't have to worry anyway. But if someone said somthing like "Dont deal with that business over there called such and such, I hear they steal from old people", then you would be in trouble. Glenn The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now. JAQ |
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| AMACK Senior Member Joined: 31/05/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 184 |
Thanks Glen, I would not post there name but if someone wants to know I can tell them personialy? OWW I got another letter today too. Same bull just saying that the delays are behind them now but still no install date.
IF ANYONE SIGNS UP TO GET AN INSTALL MAKE SURE THE COMPANY GET PENELTYS IF THEY ARE LATE ON INSTALL DATE. I THINK THAT THIS IS THE ONLY WAY FOR THEM TO NOT TELL BULL TO GET YOU TO SIGN.. I READ THE FINE PRINT ON THE BACK OF THE CONTRACT AND I CAN NOT DO ANYTHING...... AMACK *Note to self 1. Make it thick 2.Make it heavy. 3.Make it stronger than it should be. 4. Don't rush the first job as the second job will cost more and take mor |
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| brucedownunder2 Guru Joined: 14/09/2005 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1548 |
Yeah, nkow how you feel ,,, just take a step back and treat them with honey , vinigar will get you no-where... As I said mine cost $355 for 1 Kw ,,so whats a bit of a wait -as the guy said ,,"mate, we'll do your's when we're in your area" .. When it's all over ,,you'll say ,"sh*t,, why did I worry myself to hell and back " ,,it's all installed and over >>.. wish you well ,relax Bruce. Bushboy |
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| AMACK Senior Member Joined: 31/05/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 184 |
Thanks Bruce, I have taken a chill pill ( Boag's Draught) and it will get there when it does.. AMACK *Note to self 1. Make it thick 2.Make it heavy. 3.Make it stronger than it should be. 4. Don't rush the first job as the second job will cost more and take mor |
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| VK4AYQ Guru Joined: 02/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2539 |
HI andrew You should have a sample of your own wares to chill out Bob Foolin Around |
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OneToRemember Newbie  Joined: 19/05/2008 Location: United KingdomPosts: 11 |
I visited a very interesting company called Ecovision mostly heat pumps but starting to do some work for Prince Charles so I guess they do good quality work. I think that there are a lot of guys just jumping on the 'band wagon' I have a couple of docs on my website that might help in looking at what an installer should do. Here is the link to a free one on installing. http://www.onetoremember.co.uk/xcart/Background-information- to-the-intallers-guide-to-the-installation-of-small-scale-PV .html http://www.onetoremember.co.uk/xcart/Background-information- to-the-intallers-guide-to-the-installation-of-small-scale-PV .html great books @ http://www.Onetoremember.co.uk Buy and sell renwable energy bits and pieces free at http://www.EnergyBook.co.uk |
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| AMACK Senior Member Joined: 31/05/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 184 |
160 days still nothing. Have called them again and spoke to the installer and he has the invertor but no pannels. *Note to self 1. Make it thick 2.Make it heavy. 3.Make it stronger than it should be. 4. Don't rush the first job as the second job will cost more and take mor |
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Sutek Newbie Joined: 19/08/2010 Location: AustraliaPosts: 4 |
Hey guys, new to this site but am really enjoying the forums and I'm keen to give some of the projects a try. On that note, I'm looking to setup solar power on my property. I have no idea where to start and would like to avoid mistakes that i'd just have to fix later. I'm looking at a "near new" 140w panel which comes with a charge controller for $650 can anyone tell me if this is a good deal? (as a starting point) I note the different sentiment on installers and the government grants. can anyone give me some advice of what sort of system is suitable as at the moment its just a cabin (just wanna run a fridge, telly and computer and lights, not many)and should i build it up myself or get an installer. I have a background in Aircraft Avionics so electronics and electrical is no problem. Cheers Cal "OK, lets call that Plan B" |
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| AMACK Senior Member Joined: 31/05/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 184 |
Hay I have just got off the phone from the solar installer and they are going to do the job tommorrow.
It has been 176 days from the time I payed them the money. It was to be installed in 6-8 weeks insteed it has turned into almost 25 weeks. I am yet to see them but there are going to be at my place at 8-9 am. Here is hopeing that goes a head and something else don't come up.. AMACK *Note to self 1. Make it thick 2.Make it heavy. 3.Make it stronger than it should be. 4. Don't rush the first job as the second job will cost more and take mor |
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| VK4AYQ Guru Joined: 02/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2539 |
Hi Sutek It is possible to buy 200 watt panels for around $500 and a simple regulator 12 amp for $40 or a 20 amp one for $60 so don't rush in. 2 200 watt 24voly panels will give you a basic electric system and run a converted chest freezer as a fridge. Small genny for backup and a wind turbine for the interest of it, scrounge up some big batteries and fit a desulphator and away you go. By all means do it yourself as it is easy if you are into avionics this is a piece of cake. All the best Bob Foolin Around |
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| Sutek Newbie Joined: 19/08/2010 Location: AustraliaPosts: 4 |
Thanks Bob, but unfortunately I already got the panel and regulator i mentioned but not to worry it still seemed like a reasonably good deal (tho obviously not the best). As it turned out the guy had a F&P washing machine on the nature strip to dump so i got that as well (for free) and took the motor out so now at least i have a starting point for a wind turbine. I'm liking this site so far and have found a wealth of information, now just need to start making some of the projects. I'll keep you posted on my progress as hopefully it will be of some interest. Any suggestions on where i can find the 200w panels you mentioned as all the places i'm looking are asking way more for them than that? Cheers Cal "OK, lets call that Plan B" |
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| VK4AYQ Guru Joined: 02/12/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2539 |
Hi Cal Solar panels I mentioned Solar energy store, www.solarenergystore.com.au Phone 02 9620 9011$500 + $25 postage. Sounds like a good win picking up the F&P as well so now all you have to do is get it together, I would recommend a set of blades from fillm made as aluminum extrusions, as on the front page of the forum, very good wind grabbing. All the best Bob Foolin Around |
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| AMACK Senior Member Joined: 31/05/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 184 |
Hi all, I have got my system installed and is not running untill the inpector has had a look and signed off on it. I have a question on the meters, I have a gray NILSON meter with the display and boost buttons on it. Can I run the system with it untill I get the new one installed. I know it is not a bio-direction meter and I have turned it on and when the solar system is putting in more then the house is using it goes a bit funny. It comes up with and small LOW display on it and it jumps from the time to the date and then goes all --------- across the display. Is this still turning my meter forward as the small red pulse light blinks some times? AMACK *Note to self 1. Make it thick 2.Make it heavy. 3.Make it stronger than it should be. 4. Don't rush the first job as the second job will cost more and take mor |
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| brucedownunder2 Guru Joined: 14/09/2005 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1548 |
Yes,, I have ,maybe, the same meter ,, The installer, Energex, here in Qld, did not have an instruction booklet.. Strange , maybe just because 99% of consumers don't want to touch the meter anyhow.. If someone out there has a booklet, could you copy it ,Please, and post it onto the forum? Please . then we interested ,can download it and know what we are looking at ... Amack,, I don't remember maybe, but I don't think an inspector came out ,just the install guys,. They took the old 3 Phase meters away , and installed the new digital one ..The off peak water heater still retained it's meter... PS, did you know you can ahve a sparkie hard wire ANY appliance to off peak ,, but you have to put up with when the supplier decides to give you power,, we had our swimming pool filter , for instance wired this way ,,and saved a bit. Bruce Bushboy |
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