Solar Query
Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2023 12:36 pm
Hey! I've been lurking this forum and others of the like for sometime. Gleaning information and taking ideas, hopefully this DIY solar installation can lead me onto the Air to Air units that you guys have installed. But first ill hopefully get this running and send for my successful G99 or G99 fast track application.
But I've run into abit of a pickle with regards to finally turning on my system, i was basically let down by two different Solar installers who were going to come over and give give me well paid advice as per my final earthing requirements/safe practice.
But anyway this is the breakdown of where i am currently.
Victron Multiplus ii 48/5000
Victron 450/200 Solar Charge Controller
Cerbo GX
16xLifepo4 + JKBMS + Class T fuse
ZJ beny 250amp non polarized breakers \
The reason for the 450/200 is the fact that i have mounted my first 10 panels on my shed wired in series, due to the fact the shed is 65 metres away from the main house/inverter. It also gives me scope for 16kwh of solar further down the line if i so choose. As being in the north of Scotland i will need every little help to make the jump to fully electric. The panels feed into an isolator located in the shed, carried up by a 3 core 10mm swa armoured cable into the house. The shed has its own consumer unit fed by the main house consumer unit via an rcbo. The main conundrum for me is the fact that the shed has a metal roof and sides, timber framed with telegraph pole uprights and a concrete floor. I actually have a youtube video of the roof from when i was checking if i actually measured the distance between panels correctly.
[media]https://youtube.com/shorts/zU8pnWxfPI0?feature=share[/media]
I have the Multiplus set up with a separate new consumer unit in the house for the AC 1 out. This will supply new sockets in every room and hallway and eventually the cooker. I've kept the old grid fed consumer unit for my electric shower/shed/old sockets as they will probably never be satisfied unless i go 3x5000. Hopefully i can assist the grid with these loads at the very least via the AC in with a CT clamp.
Hopefully that gives an overview of my situation even if i have jumped around. But the crux of the matter is the earthing situation. I will be connecting to the Grid earth via AC in on the Multiplus as even though i am rural, i am semi detached meaning i could never go truly TT due to proximity. But the chassis of both the Multiplus/Charge Controller/distributor need an earth rod. So how does this tie into the panels and my metal shed while keeping everything safe. I just wanted to ask people who have maybe met with similar issues and have successfully worked through them. A Solar installer told over the phone not to earth the panels, which i can see the validity of. But I'm hesitant to turn it all on on that say so, especially when i have the space/cable and a digger available for good earthing. Ask any and all questions,
But I've run into abit of a pickle with regards to finally turning on my system, i was basically let down by two different Solar installers who were going to come over and give give me well paid advice as per my final earthing requirements/safe practice.
But anyway this is the breakdown of where i am currently.
Victron Multiplus ii 48/5000
Victron 450/200 Solar Charge Controller
Cerbo GX
16xLifepo4 + JKBMS + Class T fuse
ZJ beny 250amp non polarized breakers \
The reason for the 450/200 is the fact that i have mounted my first 10 panels on my shed wired in series, due to the fact the shed is 65 metres away from the main house/inverter. It also gives me scope for 16kwh of solar further down the line if i so choose. As being in the north of Scotland i will need every little help to make the jump to fully electric. The panels feed into an isolator located in the shed, carried up by a 3 core 10mm swa armoured cable into the house. The shed has its own consumer unit fed by the main house consumer unit via an rcbo. The main conundrum for me is the fact that the shed has a metal roof and sides, timber framed with telegraph pole uprights and a concrete floor. I actually have a youtube video of the roof from when i was checking if i actually measured the distance between panels correctly.
[media]https://youtube.com/shorts/zU8pnWxfPI0?feature=share[/media]
I have the Multiplus set up with a separate new consumer unit in the house for the AC 1 out. This will supply new sockets in every room and hallway and eventually the cooker. I've kept the old grid fed consumer unit for my electric shower/shed/old sockets as they will probably never be satisfied unless i go 3x5000. Hopefully i can assist the grid with these loads at the very least via the AC in with a CT clamp.
Hopefully that gives an overview of my situation even if i have jumped around. But the crux of the matter is the earthing situation. I will be connecting to the Grid earth via AC in on the Multiplus as even though i am rural, i am semi detached meaning i could never go truly TT due to proximity. But the chassis of both the Multiplus/Charge Controller/distributor need an earth rod. So how does this tie into the panels and my metal shed while keeping everything safe. I just wanted to ask people who have maybe met with similar issues and have successfully worked through them. A Solar installer told over the phone not to earth the panels, which i can see the validity of. But I'm hesitant to turn it all on on that say so, especially when i have the space/cable and a digger available for good earthing. Ask any and all questions,