Where to buy DIY

...Ghost... · 31-03-2025 09:20AM #1

Hey guys. Any recommendations for ordering stuff to Dublin?

I'll be looking for 8 Jinko Neo Black 435W panels and all the fixings and PV cable.

Also if you can recommend an MC4 kit to buy, would really appreciate it.

Is there a design tool that will spit out a parts list?

idc · 31-03-2025 09:37AM

I got MC4 kit from german amazon. Did the job for adding optimisers to one of my arrays

PEBA Solar Plug Crimping Tool Set, Solar Crimping Tool for 1.5-2.5/4/6 mm² Solar Panel PV Solar Cable, with 6 Pairs Solar Plug + Crimper Crimping Tool for Solar System Photovoltaics + Special Wire : Amazon.de: Business, Industry & Science

Also got cable on amazon germany. For panels and brackets/rails went to midsummer. Had rails delivered and collected the panels myself

darraghsherwin · 31-03-2025 10:15AM

for panels, etc

https://easy-pv.ie/ for system design

...Ghost... · 31-03-2025 07:56PM

I was about to place an order with SolarBoss, but the price at checkout surprised me, jumping from €1034 to €1591. I was expecting VAT, but not €320 for delivery!!

This is my cart:

Any recommendations are welcome.

I've ordered hanger bolts, AC and DC isolators, and crimp kit on Amazon.

graememk · 31-03-2025 08:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123315038#Comment_123315038

It's the panels, pallet delivery can be pricey.

Other options is midsummer, and solar warehouse

...Ghost... · 31-03-2025 08:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123315064#Comment_123315064

So buy the panels where I can collect?

graememk · 31-03-2025 08:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123315088#Comment_123315088

If you have something you can put the panels in/on. Maybe!

...Ghost... · 31-03-2025 10:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123315116#Comment_123315116

Cheap van rental, or use the car roof rack 😁

Padre_Pio · 31-03-2025 10:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123315088#Comment_123315088

Midsummer are in Dublin. They don't sell VanDerValk mounting, which I think is better than K2. They do clearance offers if you're on a budget.

Kellihers do VanDerValk, they have a big warehouse outside the M50.

VanDerValk website calculates all the bits you need for a given array size.

Get a van, I wouldn't attempt to use the roof rack!!

idc · 31-03-2025 10:30PM

Agree with the above the main increase is the delivery cost of panels. Thats why I collected mine, at least was only 4 panels and smaller ones to match my existing ones and luckily they would fit in my car at the time!

At the same time I almost forgot to measure the length of the rails! at 3.65m and i needed 3 the delivery for that was 68 euro.

...Ghost... · 31-03-2025 10:36PM

I went ahead and ordered. Bit painful on the delivery, but it would be too much hassle and I need to get these to my house soon. Hoping they arrive this week. Total cost will be around €2k with the other bits considered.

...Ghost... · 31-03-2025 10:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123315370#Comment_123315370

Only joking about the roof rack. It's on a Model 3, so not a hope 😂

DayInTheBog · 07-04-2025 11:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123315410#Comment_123315410

Who is going to install it for you?

...Ghost... · 08-04-2025 11:52AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123336463#Comment_123336463

I'm installing it myself. Electrician has already hooked up the inverter.

...Ghost... · 09-04-2025 01:44PM

First string up and running. The battery is capturing the excess generation.

Currently generating ~1500W from 4 x 450W panels.

Looking at Solis Cloud, it's easy enough to see from the main inverter what the string inverter is producing.

I'll add ~~solar porn~~ pics when all done.

Mr Q · 10-04-2025 02:29PM

Bit late as you already ordered. But Trade Electric had 425w panels for 40 plus VAT recently.

...Ghost... · 10-04-2025 03:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123344225#Comment_123344225

That would have been a saving. I've just finished connecting the second string a few minutes ago. Both are producing nicely.

It's been a great project and learning. Now I just have a bit of cable and conduit tidying to do. I'll be adding a bit of panelling to hide the rails from view, but that's a next month project I think.

It has been a great project and learning experience for me. Well worth it!

mjatkey · 10-04-2025 03:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123344305#Comment_123344305

And the video will follow shortly no doubt, nice one ghost, will help me out as that's what I'm looking to do on the apartment in the next while, add a few panels.

...Ghost... · 10-04-2025 08:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123344390#Comment_123344390

I've a fair bit of footage to sift through. Wedding tomorrow. Ideal Home Show Saturday. Flying on Sunday for a couple weeks of work. I reckon I should have something published for months end. I'll see how it goes. Need to connect chargeverter before I go.

Here's some teaser snaps just as I was finishing up.

Content: 3.6kW Solis Inverter | Smart Switch | Chargeverter

Contents: String 1 on shed roof

Contents: String 2 on extension

mjatkey · 11-04-2025 08:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123345152#Comment_123345152

Looks well, good job. What rectifier (chargeverter) did you get and do you have CAN control on it?

DayInTheBog · 11-04-2025 05:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123344225#Comment_123344225

Do you need to have an account or can you just walk in off the street? I see they have a shop in Killarney

...Ghost... · 11-04-2025 07:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123346154#Comment_123346154

Cheers. It turned out alright. Getting some good generation/export already.
The Emerson 57V rectifier is what I got. It will be controlled by smart Wi-Fi switch. No CAN.

graememk · 11-04-2025 08:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123348301#Comment_123348301

There is canbus control if you want to tweak the settings, the smart switch being the master is the way to go.

mjatkey · 11-04-2025 08:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123348400#Comment_123348400

Yeah, I found the Huawei doesn't let the Seplos hit the magical 3.65v cell unless I raised output to 57.6v, yeah I use a smart breaker to power it on and off.