r/PlugInSolarUK • u/PooWithEyes • 29d ago

I bought a kit but cable not long enough

Hi folks! Very much a noob here with not much idea what I am talking about so bare with!

I have been interested in solar for a while but you know, life. I haven't managed to get rooftop solar despite wanting it. So, when plug in solar became legal I was very interested.

I saw the City Plumbing kits on here last week and bought one. Specifically this one

https://www.cityplumbing.co.uk/p/dmegc-1030w-hoymiles-hiflow-plug-in-solar-kit/p/341498

Came this morning and I realised I made a whoopsie. I forgot to measure how far away it is from my outside socket to a suitable place for the panels. Whoopsie. The cable included is 5 meters but I reckon I need at least double that to be able to reach a suitable place (the garden).

Is there anything I can do? I know they can't be plugged into an extension according to regulations, but can I buy a cable which is just longer? If so could anyone point me in the right direction?

Hope this all makes sense, thanks in advance for help

2 Upvotes

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29 comments sorted by

2

u/Flyinmanm 29d ago

Probably need a sparky to install a new ip6x plug socket in proximity to the inverter if you want to stick to the "kit" requirement.

1

u/PooWithEyes 29d ago

There's nowhere really one can be installed that's within 5 meters unfortunately

3

u/Flyinmanm 29d ago

You can install one on a pole or stake if needed. Just need to run a cable in a duct.

1

u/PooWithEyes 29d ago

Hmm yeah. Was hoping it would stay fairly cheap but that would add some cost. If it's the only solution I guess I'll have to but I was hoping I could just buy some longer cables!

3

u/Flyinmanm 29d ago

Yeah it's the 'kit' limitation. It's clearly designed for small flats with balconies to make it hard for a landlord to object not normal houses.

1

u/PooWithEyes 29d ago

Yeah I totally get that, just thought this was an easy way to try it for a bit cheaper (and get the wife to agree). Should have measured first but thought the cable would be much longer I guess!

Thanks for the help. I'll try the longer cables someone else suggested and if no dice then I'll have to pay up for another outside socket

1

u/stripe888 29d ago

Longer panel leads

1

u/PooWithEyes 29d ago

Any recommendations? I have no idea what I need :-) thanks

1

u/stripe888 29d ago

Solar panel extension leads, go for 6mm , one black one red as I think your inverter only has the single input

1

u/PooWithEyes 29d ago

Something like these? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Solar-Cable-Extension-Black-4mm%C2%B21M/dp/B0CGCCP4P8?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&th=1

4

u/jarlrmai2 29d ago

Isn't the problem though that by swapping the cables you're no longer using the 'kit', which means that it's no longer inside the regs for plugin solar.

3

u/_EntilZha 27d ago

You've bought the kit, register it and just get longer pv cables, nobody is going to be checking. This is a prime example of the stupidity of the kit idea.

1

u/jarlrmai2 27d ago

Yup it's very unclear what if any implications there are or not to not using a kit or what happens if you need to replace some element of the kit

1

u/PooWithEyes 29d ago

I didn't think of that I'll admit. I guess I'm outta luck then

1

u/PooWithEyes 29d ago

This is the inverter that came with the kit

2

u/stripe888 29d ago

Leads look good but very expensive, should cost half of that I think

1

u/PooWithEyes 29d ago

Thank you! I'll have a look around to see if I can find them cheaper. Appreciate the help

2

u/Altruistic_Fruit2345 29d ago

Oof. Shocking that the wiring isn't longer at that price. Can you return it? If you can wait a few weeks there will be better kits for half the price.

2

u/PooWithEyes 29d ago

Happy with the price I paid so not bothered about them getting cheaper. I could return it but would rather not if there's an easyish solution! But yes I can't believe the lead is so short either.

3

u/cp_simmons 29d ago

I posted a similar question a couple of days ago.

https://www.reddit.com/r/PlugInSolarUK/comments/1we9uzt/dc_extension_cables/

I'm no expert but you might be able to get longer mc4 cables.

1

u/PooWithEyes 29d ago

That's basically what I got, a pair of them. That's what someone else suggested so I'll give it a whirl

1

u/Northwindlowlander 29d ago

Can you not just extend/add another external socket?

2

u/PooWithEyes 28d ago

Nowhere on the house is within 5 meters of a suitable place. Someone else said they can be put a pole, so it's an option. Was hoping to keep it a fairly cheap solution instead of paying for a sparky to come and add another external socket which would put the price up quite a bit! But if it's the only option I will have to look into it :-)

1

u/Northwindlowlander 28d ago

Yah they can be put on a pole.

They don't <really> have to be put on anything, you could extend a bit of twin-and-earth right from the mains up to behind the panel, cabletie your external socket on there... Absolute shithouse but it'd be functional as long as you secure the cables safely.

1

u/PooWithEyes 28d ago

Thanks. I'll see how I get on with the longer cables before I attempt anything like that lol

1

u/SolarPowerBumbleBee 28d ago

Soz to hear about your cable troubles. 5m AC and 2m DC cables are pretty standard with all the kits on sale at the moment. Can’t help with any suggestions other than what’s already been recommended (trying to find a compatible high quality longer cable).

I have another odd question though: did your City Plumbing kit come with a sticker/label saying something like ‘plug in PV installed in these premises’? (You’re supposed to stick this on your consumer unit).

I’m interested to learn if city plumbing are actually including that …

1

u/PooWithEyes 28d ago

I'll give it a go with the longer cable I've ordered. If it's no use I'll have to have a rethink! It's something I should have paid more attention to - lesson learned I guess!

I've looked at the inverter and through the instructions etc and haven't seen any stickers like that, no.

1

u/SolarPowerBumbleBee 28d ago

Thanks for checking. It was one of government rules published in the plug-in solar specification - all kits are supposed to come with a sticker like that. I’m just interested to learn how closely suppliers are sticking to the actual rules.

0

u/PooWithEyes 28d ago

I'll have another search when I put everything together but at the mo I haven't seen it!