Solar Panel Guide Discussion

HalloweenJack

9.30am - invertor is now sitting at MPP-Peak.......

orrery

RoxyK wrote: »

I asked my installer to confirm and yep, it does come with it but advised I will need a wireless bridge or additional cabling at extra cost. Does that sound fair? The cost would be £100 plus VAT.

Looking at the user manual, they appear to have an internally located ethernet connector. This will need connecting (somehow) to your router.

If it is done properly, depending on the distance, it will require solid core cat 5 or 6 ethernet cable with a wallbox sockets at each end and two 'patch' cables to make the connections into your router and inverter. Alternatively, if you have mains sockets available nearby both ends, you could buy some of the 'data through the mains' plugs for about £30 or £40.

RoxyK

Thanks so much for your help! I'm not too sure about having more cables as I have been known to move my router around so the wireless bridge sounds a better idea.

However no idea how to set that up so probably best to get them to do it

I've never heard of 'data through the mains' plugs so am off to investigate! No problem having mains plug near the router but unlikely to have one near the inverter, which will be going in the loft.

Is a lovely sunny day today. Perfect for solar PV - not long now to wait

KevinG

RoxyK wrote: »

I've never heard of 'data through the mains' plugs so am off to investigate!

I can thoroughly recommend these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-PA211KIT-200Mbps-Powerline-Ethernet/dp/B004INVKP4/

RoxyK

KevinG wrote: »

I can thoroughly recommend these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-PA211KIT-200Mbps-Powerline-Ethernet/dp/B004INVKP4/

Oh these look very interesting and cheaper too than the ones I saw initially.

Only problem is mains plug in the loft near the inverter........

phsci

RoxyK wrote: »

Oh these look very interesting and cheaper too than the ones I saw initially.

Only problem is mains plug in the loft near the inverter........

Why not get your installers to provide a mains outlet next to your inverter when they come next Tuesday ? They will be using AC twin and earth cable as part of the job, so what better time ?

RoxyK

Excellent idea!

But after asking DH just in case we had a socket in the loft was surprised to find out we do. Only a single but that will be fine.

Both sockets near the router are used but I'm sure something can be moved. That saves £100 and the data plugs would also work with Sky + Anytime which has just become free to non Sky BB users

wuthton

RoxyK wrote: »

Excellent idea!

But after asking DH just in case we had a socket in the loft was surprised to find out we do. Only a single but that will be fine.

Both sockets near the router are used but I'm sure something can be moved. That saves £100 and the data plugs would also work with Sky + Anytime which has just become free to non Sky BB users

I use Solwise homeplugs for Sky, Ps3 and some Ip security cameras, I couldn't recommend them highly enough.

They are ridiculously easy to set up, just plug in then connect your router, push a button on each homeplug and you're good to go.

KevinG

wuthton wrote: »

I use Solwise homeplugs for Sky, Ps3 and some Ip security cameras, I couldn't recommend them highly enough.

They are ridiculously easy to set up, just plug in then connect your router, push a button on each homeplug and you're good to go.

The TP-Link ones I linked to are similarly straightforward to set up. In my case they worked in sockets where my old Comtrend units wouldn't.

orrery

RoxyK wrote: »

Excellent idea!

But after asking DH just in case we had a socket in the loft was surprised to find out we do. Only a single but that will be fine.

Just a warning...

It is said that the data won't go through mains trips, so you may need them on the same ring main.

Get the data sockets and try them in place before you have the system installed.