Is moving a solar inverter about 2ft to the right a DIY job?

Is moving a solar inverter about 2ft to the right a DIY job?

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steveatesh

Original Poster:

5,158 posts

179 months

Yesterday (19:44)
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I have a Solax inverter currently installed in the garage but due to the need to fit a new garage door it needs to be move around 2ft to the right (the sectional garage door rails extend much further back than the original rails do).

Looking at the work it appears to be fairly easy - the black cables leading u to the inverter will simply loop the other way to the other side of the black isolators, and I can install a wood base onto the garage wall to take the new position of the inverter.

However, the white cable wil need replacing and I have no idea what it is in terms of amps, cores etc .

Can these be bought ready made up so I can simply buy one, switch everything off, remove the white cable move the inverter, and plug in the new cable and switch on, or is it definitely a qualified electrician job because a new cable has to be made up?

I am competent with house stuff like spurs and that type of thing so not a complete novice, but I am new to solar stuff.

Thanks in advance.


119

11,700 posts

51 months

Yesterday (19:54)
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That’s the main supply cable so not sure I’d be messing about with it.

Call your sparky to do it. It won’t take long so shouldn’t cost much id have thought !

shirt

24,290 posts

216 months

OutInTheShed

11,269 posts

41 months

Yesterday (20:33)
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That does look like: isolate AC and DC.Disconnect white AC cable. Move inverter across. Replace white AC cable with longer one. Check everything, Switch on. Get beer.

But if you have to ask....

ashenfie

1,352 posts

61 months

Yesterday (20:54)
quotequote all
Agree with last poster comments. Be very aware even when the DC isolator (black dials) are off there is still electricity in the system. What kind of test gear do you have?

JoshSm

985 posts

52 months

Yesterday (20:58)
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steveatesh said:
However, the white cable wil need replacing and I have no idea what it is in terms of amps, cores etc
Usually the specification is printed or embossed on the outer sheath, takes the guesswork out of it.

It's going to be a 4mm² or 6mm² three core flex most likely.

Hoofy

78,506 posts

297 months

Yesterday (21:04)
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Dunno about this size of inverter but they might need to have things like the panels disconnected first to avoid damaging the electronics. Best check in the manual.

ashenfie

1,352 posts

61 months

Yesterday (21:37)
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Agree with last poster comments. Be very aware even when the DC isolator (black dials) are off there is still electricity in the system. What kind of test gear do you have?

steveatesh

Original Poster:

5,158 posts

179 months

Yesterday (21:40)
quotequote all
Cheers guys, I’ll leave it.

Only asked as up to now not a single electrician has responded to an enquiry and I’ve tried about a dozen.

I’ll keep on trying!

Hoofy

78,506 posts

297 months

Yesterday (21:51)
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Can you speak to the people who installed the system? Or another solar installer? I know it's small fry compared to them being called out to install a full system but if they have spare capacity they might be happy for the extra work.

steveatesh

Original Poster:

5,158 posts

179 months

Yesterday (23:18)
quotequote all
Hoofy said:
Can you speak to the people who installed the system? Or another solar installer? I know it's small fry compared to them being called out to install a full system but if they have spare capacity they might be happy for the extra work.
Cheers, I did speak to them but apparently they are inundated with work and can’t even look at it until well into September. However, I might go back to them and ask if they can supply that white cables but longer to allow the move.

They actually suggested trying a local electrician but not much joy in that direction.

hidetheelephants

30,161 posts

208 months

It will be ordinary flex; read the script on the insulation, it will tell you the gauge of the cable and you can go to the nearest electrical wholesaler and buy a longer piece.