#69 We had solar fitted - and boy what a difference! If you haven't gone solar yet, go for it!
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- Our narrowboat had very outdated electrics, as well as several faults/problems that we wanted looking at and sorting. We were also keen to get solar panels fitted - so needed to find a good marine electrician to sort out the problems, and fit solar. There are many very good solar fitment companies out there, but most we spoke too were keen to fit the solar, but less keen to tackle the other problems that we had at the same time. It was a very different picture talking to Phil at Proelectrical. He's a liveaboard boater, marine electrician and only spends about 40% of his time actually fitting panels - with fixing boat electrical problems, converting to Lithium etc the rest of the time.
As soon as I talked to him about the issues on the boat, and our requirements for solar it was clear that we'd found the man for the job. We are so pleased at the difference he made, the advice he gave us and his superb tilting panel system. If you want a very competent marine electrician, and/or solar panels fitted - do give Phil a call (and tell him you heard of him here!)
Here's his details:
www.proelectri...
Phone: 07775742681
Email: phil@proelectrical.info
Great video. As a retired electrician I can tell you that the mark of professional workmanship is to leave as little trace as possible to show that you have actually been there. A great percentage of my training involved running cables so that they couldn't be seen by the occupier. Well done to those guys.
It really was a top notch job by an excellent professional! As we potter down the cut we look at other boats with solar and most have long cables on the roof running along the drainage gulley. Not ideal. Phil takes much longer doing it his way, but the end result is so much better 😊
@@NarrowboatAdventures He's a true professional. Like wot I was in my younger day......lol
Very informative vlog I am sure it will help others you both tc now till next time the oldies 👍👋🤗👋👍
We were lucky to track down such a talented professional to do the job. There are loads of competent solar fitters out there, but most don't hide the cables, and Phil was also prepared to upgrade and fix our electrics. 😊
Excellent! You had a great crew doing the work and I am very happy for you and Lynda! 😊🤗 Kathy
Thank you - didn't they do a great job? So pleased with it 😊
@@NarrowboatAdventures absolutely!!
I have experience of both marine electricians who don't know what they are doing and that is certainly true of boat owners.
After a boat is commissioned it loses its integrity over time.
The chap you used gave a reassuring commentary of the failures discovered and the right way of doing the job in the first place.
Most of the incorrect methods used on your boat I already have experience of.
To discover someone who knows what they are doing is very rare in narrow boating.
We were so pleased to find him. Speaking to him before we booked the job, I was impressed at how rather than just try and sell & fit solar, he was interested in my problems with the boat and talked through with me possible solutions.
A true professional who REALLY knows his job, and what's more, cares about doing only top notch work.
@@NarrowboatAdventures
I will use him if I need to.
Thanks for your time and efforts to produce your volgs
and share very good information.
Really good video as always. That system of raising the panels is the best I have seen yet. The other wiring was also interesting
Thank you 😊. It is a brilliant tilting system - panels are low and flat when cruising, but can really access the low sun when required. So glad we discovered Phil and PRO Electrical
Great vlog and nice to see pride in work. We did a ton of research before fitting ours and decided it was better overall to have panels flat... our roof fittings are similar although we used magnets to reduce holes in the roof.
Phil really is a talented professional with a real pride in his work. Wants to do the job properly, rather than quickly. 😊
good video, you could slap a padlock through those pull-pin holes.
Definitely worth considering when moored up in some areas!
Thank you. I'm really glad I saw that video, which is very helpful.
Can you please tell me where to buy the Rods and bracket Hinges to make them tilt?
Thanks
Looking good very nice. Have happy week😊
Thank you. The solar works so well - we're really pleased with it 😊
Nice job! ❤
Thanks. It really was done well. Very pleased with it 😊
Another great job Adrian, they’re huge panels. Don’t think I would cruise with them upright if it was a windy day, you might capsize 😂
Agree with that! Amazing what a difference it's made to us though - always have enough power, no worries if parked up for days etc. So, so pleased with them 😊
Just a point of interest. Tilting the panels at midday winter sun approximately doubles daily solar input over flat mounted. If you want the 4-5 quoted you would have to track the sun all day which is not possible with that setup. Another pint is that in summer the greatest daily input without tracking is actually mounted flat because, if you tilt them, then morning and evening the sun is actually behind the panels!
Obviously with only a one-axis tilt you are somewhat less efficient than a moving tracking system, but when we have put them full tilt, facing the early sun in the morning, the output has increased by 3 or 4 times what it was. Haven't tested the full winter sun yet 🌞 😊
@@NarrowboatAdventures yes it will do that but you would compromise the daily total if you left them like that. Most people won’t remember to move their panels all day. If you leave them pointed at morning sun you will get pretty much nothing all afternoon.
@@philbrooke-little7082 I've seen loads like that on the cut, happily tilted away from the sun! 😂
That was interesting. What was the overall cost? Fantastic fitters. Good vlog.
The parts alone came to just under £2k, then another £1k for the labour, travelling costs and sundries. We felt this was a very fair amount, especially so when considering we had managed to find such a consummate professional to cast his eye over our dodgy wiring 😊
Thanks for the great video. Are you also able to also tilt your panels longitudinally. If sun is coming over bow or stern?
All the best Jon
Hi Jon
No, just the sides lift up. We've already found though that even in April/early May the panels are producing up to 600W when flat and the boat facing N-S.
I haven't seen any other system that allow such a high angle of tilt - a real boon in low sun conditions