UK electricians working in commercial, domestic and industrial installations. We a specialised focus on Solar PV, battery storage and EV chargers. Founder of Apprentice 121 in April 2020. Follow myself, Matthew, Nathan and my team onsite with tool demonstrations, working methods and silliness.
We feature cool tools in every video and show our work with explanations for equipment selected and working practices used.
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Hi Mark, just had my Giv EV Charger fitted to go with 2x 9.5kWh batteries and Gen3 inverter. One thing I wish there was was schedules that could dictate the charge mode, so during day time schedule, Solar only, during nighttime for time of use, charge from Grid. That would make it automatic, whereas now I would have to switch back and forward from Solar to Grid and enable a schedule… each night…… or am i missing something?
Rough cost including installation? Many thanks
Hi Mark, just stumbled upon your video from last year...... I'm not a sparky but am looking at having one of these EV chargers installed. The electricity supplier has told me that a cable needs to run from the charger to the meter. This is going to be difficult to achieve at my property due to the location of the meter in relation to the driveway but a connection to a consumer unit in the garage is very easy. I didn't see a meter in your video - is what I'm being told by the electricity company incorrect? Do you need a cable run direct to the meter or does it just need to reach a consumer unit? Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer!!
Hi Adam. If the garage is a smaller consumer unit it could be the cable supplying it isn’t large enough for the additional load from an EV charger. The EV charger doesn’t necessarily need to go back to the meter but it does need to go back to a consumer unit with capacity in itself and the cable feeding it. I would consult a local electrician rather than energy retailer for advice.
As always, great video Mark!
Would be great to see the wiring of the panels together and the wiring to the charger
I’m looking into buying the hybrid g4 inverter was curious on what’s the difference between the old models and new models because the price difference is huge
Great video, Are you drilling the holes through concrete?
No technical support 😢
ICS have a tech support helpline. Can say the same about all brands as regards this.
It is not easy. The Zappy car charger is easy
Such is choice we got plenty of all varieties. That said no way is Zappi easier than one of these.
I have an AIO and was considering getting one of these fitted as looking at getting solar soon. I already have a Pod Point Solo 3 so I was going swap that out as it doesn't work right with the battery. Any suggestions how I'd go about that and how it would be commissioned? Thanks for the valuable insight.
Get in touch with a local GivEnergy installer. It’s a relatively easy change over for a qualified electrician
I’m sure the one I fitted had a lot more screws, if that’s a new version looks really good. Spoke to GivEnergy last week still no date for octopus 🐙 integration for EV charger, however the inverters are.
I addressed them both in a single Twitter post, but only received a response from Octopus, which indicated that the issue was on GivEnergy's end.
Hey mate. Yeah standalone the chargers don’t currently integrate directly with octopus but…. With an aio on inverter control they do 💪. The AIO instigates the charge cycle etc. just need to remember to leave plug and off and the system does the rest through the API
I was really impressed with yjis unit when I went to there head quarters. The 3 phase is similar.
Interesting video. Any idea if it is likely to be compatible with Intelligent Octopus at any point soon?
Hi @Marky Could you please send me a list of what you have on that board and the size of the board please? I'd like to build one at home so I can practice testing and wiring etc. if you wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate a list of "Ingredients" if you will. Thank you
Just a ballpark figure, what did this cost? 🙂
did you have to notify the dno and mcs ect. i have a 3.6kw system and thinking of putting a few pannels on my shed but dont know weather i should just do it.
We are solar installers so not an issue. However if your keeping the same inverter no need to notify DNO as export isn’t changed. MCS for the panels is your call.
@@electrician247 to be honest i was just gonna put them on the shed only looking at 2 panels so will be just over 800w and use a small grid tie inverter or micro inverter. the other option i have is put 6 more panels on my house roof but would have to change configuration. inverter would still be limited to 3.6kw
@@axgtsimi whatever size inverter you still need to notify the DNO. G98 process.
Well Mark great video 👍🏻 just got a quote on the sigenergy 8kw system with 22 450w solar panels. Just wondering when the PV install video will be uploaded???
Not much longer mate. We are a few months ahead on content recorded/release
Would be great to see how the app is, i have heard mixed things about it
It’s on the way
Looking at getting this software
Looking at getting this software
Really neat cabinet for the batteries to live in. Is that a standard 19" server rack or something special? Any issues with cooling since your not using their spacer feet?
Cools fine mate, it’s sat on shelves with space between. Fans can be added if needed but not been an issue so far
Do you have the full install video for this? Not just the short. Thanks.
I do but not released as yet. Next week or two should be out
Looking forward to watching it
Great job 🫡
Posting this as I have struggles to find the correct info. I recently stayed at a holiday let that had a hot tub. It was fed from a 32amp B type breaker into a 110v 16amp switched socket next to the tub. The cable from the plug was SWA. I’m not a qualified sparky but I worked along side a qualified sparky as his mechanical partner for a few years so picked up a bit of knowledge on the practical Side. I also have 18th edition cert. All my electrical work is done under supervision of the sparky and he checks and tests all my work. I do not do electrical Work outside of my job. I just wondered if this installation is correct as it rang some alarm bells on the equipment used and the SWA into a plug 🤷🏻 Cheers if you reply with your thoughts people .
Has there been any more information on the bi directional charging within the UK ( V2X V2G V2H V2L ) Holding out to know which system and which EV to buy. Thanks
I have a piv installed for 9 mths now... It has reduced the humidity from around 80% to 45% roughly. It smells fresher but unfortunately clothes that are left out on a chair or not hung away quickly smell of damp... I brought a cushion from my couch to a friend's house and it smelled of damp. I use a dryer and it's just me in the house... Don't know why things still smell musty. Could there be hidden mould or spores or something causing this? Has anyone has issues such as this after installing a piv?
I would check the filters on the PIV are correctly attached. But if the air is fresher I would be looking at spores in the fabric of the building. These may require treatment to remove. You could also have damp areas in the property not related to condensation. Requires investigation
Did you post the video for connecting up the PV on this project ?
It’s coming we are a few months ahead of recording etc
@@electrician247 Thanks for reply. I look forward to it.
When will the all in one actually be an all in one, should have MPPTs, isolators, and gateway functionality built in.
No to the isolators. Those belong in the fixed wiring. As for the rest I couldn’t possibly say if that might be a thing in the future…
I don't think they will have the gateway built in. You have that separately even with the powerwall 3 (but have to admit it's quite clever what Tesla did with the Backup Switch...not for UK though)
Nice job. Why didn't you use byfacial panels and why is the inverter same power rating as array output?.
Loads of options with panels tbh. But pound for pound these 440N dual glass from Jinko are hard to beat. Personally not a fan of bifacial but such is life and choice. The inverter sizing is primarily working with the size of the array, for a hybrid system you can under size the inverter for example here down to 6kW. As the PV input rating is actually 9kW but limit is the AC output to 6 and puts the rest in the battery. So many options, no hard and fast rules
Best ticket you can get. They are much sort after (Nestles are in need of foreign workers). A ticket not to do the work properly and in accordance with The Regulations.
There not power over Ethernet adapters, there powerline or Ethernet over power ….
Thanks, that is really helpful 🤥
You must have had three Weetabix that day!
I reckon atleast 4 😂.
So why would customers pick a larger company over a small company if its so much more expensive
Ahh well that depends on value doesn’t it. Being cheap is not to be the best value. Some can do things faster due to size, offer longer more secure warranties, higher standard of work, better customer care. The list goes on and on. Larger companies don’t always bring the best value proposition. In fact I can thing of several who definitely don’t. But being more expensive due to trading overheards doesn’t equate to worse value and thus consumers have choice. Cool huh
Love the video mark and your focus on best for customer - wondering how you go about sizing up the array for a consumers requirements, electrician new to the PV space
Generally arrays can be over sized to help cover off as much winter generation as possible in the UK. This might result in large exports during summer or clipping. But as panels are relatively low cost now it makes sense to get as large array as possible into play imho. Obvs with limits if the roof space is gigantic! As it happens most people have space for 12-18 ish which is a nice size array to work with.
@@electrician247 Thanks Mark, that makes a lot of sense!
Great mention of another British company Verso consumer units are ace.
M8 excellent install, looking at all the systems available I probably go with Enphase that’s what I have installed previously and I might as stick withEnphase.Above all less work.
I really enjoyed installing enphase. Hopefully more soon!
Rubbish links , magnet is so weak it drops dangerous stuff
Dangerous how? Please don’t tell me you are using these in live enclosures??? These are brilliant and you have an entirely different experience and approach to myself
@@electrician247 Not on the live side at all , of course not, does not make sense. How do you say these are brilliant? The screw drops of the contact. It has no magnetic power.Do yours attach solid???
@@kbagheri9026 rock solid. It’s in the video tbh. I’m just curious about the dangerous comment? Can’t see how they would ever be that tbh
@@electrician247 No, mine were not rock solid. Can you make a close up demo on KZread? I have already contacted Super Rod and asked them to review their design. I am waiting for them to update me now.
Givenergy are cool mix and matching circuit protection brands in the gateway for the EV Charger i.e. proteus instead of ABB as they are pricey!!!
Absolutely. Its a non busbar layout. They have an MCG RCBO in the instruction manual for just this. Hope that helps.
Hi Mark, I don’t know if you've come across this but my aio is paired with a Growatt inverter which has been working fine. However I had a power outage for five hours and the inverter shut down so no pv supply to the battery or house during this period. Growatt have given my inverter a firmware update and increased its frequency to 55Hz, however the gateway has a frequency between 50-60 Hz +- 5 ,which to me would mean the Growatt would need to have a frequency up to 65Hz for compatability.So after the updates the Growatt still shuts down when i switch to island mode. I'm asking in case you've come across this problem because now I'm wishing I requested the Givenergy inverter for compatability. Thanks for your videos, they've been a great source of information for me and many others.
What is the fault the growatt inverter shuts down with? PE by any chance? If so your neutral earth bond rely is not set on the aio. This needs correcting
The fault code was PE as you said then Growatt performed a firmware update and the fault code changed to AC F outrange. Thanks for the reply Mark 👍.
What size is the 5 core SWA? My calculations come to a 35mm for a 12 metre run in a duct. Nightmare for my job on my own house, which would a prep for a company to come in a fit a battery and gateway, along with a solar system. Seems excessive when clipped direct would be 25mm for the same run. Arrgh
What load are you putting down that? Remember it’s fused 80A each end. You load will dictate the cable size and it’s variable across each install. You can also run parallel conductors should you require. Loads of options.
Little shoe boxes. What’s happening with those bricked up windows. Do they have to pay extra for the window to be installed. 18:37
New build, probs
Really interesting video. I like the solution with the outside cabinet. I have a similar issue to get around and that isn’t something I wouldn’t have thought about. You mentioned ethics regards prepay meters. I don’t think you need to worry about ethics. I think it’s ethical that you pay for what you use. We all know Electric isn’t free and someone is paying. I think it would be unethical to force someone else to pay a service that they are using. I don’t see why you should suffer higher energy bills for some other person not paying. Prepay meters are usually last resort. The amount of charities that exist in this country, surely there is help for those who are genuinely in need. My experience, as someone from the lower end of the scale, to be brutally honest: they bring it on themselves. Hence, why I worked to get away from them. What’s worse about my experience, people love to tell you their problem and when you suggest them a solution, they dismiss you. I gave up trying to help. Had a mate Tommy who went from one disaster to another. It was his own doing and he didn’t want to help himself.
The ethics is those with batteries are able To get paid to take energy from the grid while those who are skint get charged. The benefit from the sunshine is fine
Are you doing multiple AIOs yet ? If so what is rough price for a 2nd AIO installed in W. Yorks (maybe too far away)
Currently still unsupported by GE although possible…. We are not currently doing it until fully supported and out of beta testing
@@electrician247 Thanks I do feel like a beta tester with just the one
Just wondering whether there are any pitfalls to installing the AIO outside (apart from the weather). Don't have the luxury of somewhere to install it inside (house is small plus no garage or outbuilding) nor do I want it in the loft given the current guidance (yes, I know it's not a regulation yet!). The main wall outside where the distribution board is situated under the stairs is the obvious candidate for locating the AIO but unfortunately it's south facing which potentially leaves me with a problem with overheating in the same way as the loft. Not sure what else I can do 🤷🏼♂️
My most recent video goes into this. Build a shelter around the AIO is the short story
Thought provoking.
It really should be called the All in Two!
Or Two-In2-One does Go or in this case Give.
Very cool, you can’t just pop that of the wall quick so I can plaster first
Does the gateway only work with a GivEnergy EV charger or can any make be connected?
Any charger can be connected into the gateway. However only the GE charger will integrate into the app etc
@@electrician247 Thanks so no point paying to move connection of my existing charger as no control of it at all?
@@uktechie8013 no I would leave it via the consumer unit. You can also do this with the GivEnergy EV charger and it will still link in with the system. The gateway gives you the option of another point of connection rather than must be from there.
Started a job on Friday where the client had this system installed in a detached garage. Certainly wasn’t an install done by Powersonic as theres nothing marked up anywhere. My task is to replace the sub into the garage CU as they’re doing an extension and the cables are now being buried to the correct depth. All they have is a 16 amp feed back to the house supplying a double socket incase if a power cut, theres not an electrode installed, the socket is still relying on the supply earth I presume? The client said he’d get the documents ready for me to scan over for next week when back there. This job could well be the turning point for my business to get into these systems now as it appears there are some right rough installed being done and may be able to get work off the back of them
There is an argument some make for a single socket in island mode not to require a reference earth. Not a chain of thought I buy into tbh.
@@electrician247 bearing in mind i’m not that experienced in installing these systems, I was under the assumption that you had to switch from using the DNO earth when in island mode even for just a socket outlet. Only had a quick flick through my copy of the code of practice
@@SME_Ste the DNO Earth can be maintained as per the COP but should be supplemented with an electrode to form a TNS on the alternate supply in island mode. However debate is their regarding single points of utilisation and IT earthing systems. Manufacturers and installers can, do and have made that case. It’s never colour by numbers with hard and fast rules on any of this tbh.
@@electrician247 Cheers Mark. Getting into these new technologies and understanding as a one man band is hard. Got to be installing them on a regular basis really to get a full understanding, training course are all good, but as with everything, experience is key.
@@SME_Ste very true mate.
Great content you really make it simple to understand