Q: How much is delivery and how long does it take?

You can pick up for free with prior arrangement from Kamo, Whangarei and we can arrange delivery to anywhere in the country. Due to the size and weight of much of the orders, each delivery will be calculated based on size of order and destination. If everything is in stock, we aim to get it on its way within 2 working days, small items will take normal NZ post time, larger orders will take 3-7 days.

Q: Can we install the kits ourselves?

The kits come with installation instructions and yes, assuming you have a reasonable DIY aptitude, you can install most of the kit yourself although in every case we recommend you having a certified electrician signing your work off before powering the system up. Legally, all 240vac work (From the inverter onwards) has to be carried out by a certified sparky and also any kit with a solar array of greater than 120v (More than 3 of our 420W panels in series) requires a sparky to sign off before powering up.

Q: What is your policy if something is faulty?

We are committed to keeping you powered up so firstly call us, if we can't sort out the problem over the phone we will need to see the faulty component and take it from there, either fixing or replacing, case by case. We also have a small backup system to keep the basics running that we endeavor to keep at hand to keep you powered up whilst things are being resolved.

Q: Can you install for us?

We do not do installations ourselves, however we have an increasing list of local, qualified and highly skilled installers.

Q: Can you design specific to our requirements?

Yes, we can create a custom sized kit to your exact requirements.

Q: Can you come and visit our site, hear our vision and assess the best options?

In most instances yes, although, along with business life, I am a very hands on parent of 3 homeschooled kids so depending on your location it may not always be possible or timely. Site visits will generally entail a basic transport and consultancy fee.

Q: Can I upsize my kit at a later date?

You can add panels and increased capacity inverters to the capacity of your battery specs as time flows on but ideally batteries should be installed at the same time. If a new battery is added to an already used system, it can be done but the new battery will be under a higher load and will deteriorate quicker.

Question 1

What size off grid kit do I need?

Accepted Answer

See our off grid Kits section for an outline of what each kit is suitable for.

In short you take the total solar power multiplied by 3.5hrs, then calculate your daily usage through how long you use each appliance in hours x how much power they use in Watts.  If you like math's you'll figure it out, if not you can use our  calculator (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dCCb355hijab9C7lgUkLAHOk3XipS0fGeMnNTbSSRTY/edit?fbclid=IwY2xjawIUCy1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcwWgmph4O9YWDWZJpcrAotgevTbobL4mkAB1ZdTw45yAxpcUsLSd3XMUQ_aem_k4kzNeX5iVVAtaIoNobEyA&gid=0#gid=0), just fill in the sections in blue to your exact usage and compare the answer in Yellow to get the exact fit kit just for you.

Question 2

How long will  everything last?

Accepted Answer

Hmmm, this is always hard to answer as there are so many variables but I will do my best.
-Solar panels, our solar panels have a 30 year 80% capacity warranty and as long as they do not get physically damaged they should last this and onwards.
-Batteries, our AGM batteries have a 3 year warranty* and our lead carbon batteries have a 5 year warranty*.  The * bit means there are conditions to the warranty ensuring the battery is correctly sized for your system and is used within certain parameters.  See my fb post  (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14jV5jNatQ/)for a deeper understanding of solar storage batteries but in short, the deeper you discharge a battery on a daily cycle, the shorter they last. If you take good care, our AGM batteries cycled to 30% DOD (Depth of discharge) should last 4-5 years, our Lead carbon batteries cycled to 30% DOD should last in excess of 10 years.  Cycle any AGM battery to 90% DOD, it will unlikely last a year, do the same to our lead carbon battery, you should still get 3-4 years.
-Inverters.  Again how they are installed, used and the conditions they are used in will effect their lifespan.  good air flow around them, keeping filters clear and making sure they are installed in a dry environment free from insects and sizing them so most of the time you are only using around 25% of their capacity will give the best life.  Our Sunway inverters have a 3 year Warranty and although these are reasonable quality the cheaper Chinese inverters tend to die in the 3-5 year period.  The Victron inverters on the other hand with 5 year warranties will commonly last 10-20 years and onwards.

Question 3

What are our warranty conditions?

Accepted Answer

Due to the nature of off-grid systems, each component comes with warranty conditions.  The conditions are in short, to provide proof of correct installation and usage.  The batteries in particular need to be correctly sized for your usage and monitored to keep them within certain parameters, AGM cycled within <30% DOD and Lead carbon, cycled within <50% DOD,

Question 4

How much is delivery and how long does it take?

Accepted Answer

You can pick up for free with prior arrangement from Kamo, Whangarei and we can arrange delivery to anywhere in the country.  Due to the size and weight of much of the orders, each delivery will be calculated based on size of order and destination.  If everything is in stock, we aim to get it on its way within 2 working days, small items will take normal NZ post time, larger orders will take 3-7 days.

Question 5

Can we install the kits ourselves?

Accepted Answer

The kits come with installation instructions and yes, assuming you have a reasonable DIY aptitude, you can install most of the kit yourself although in every case we recommend you having a certified electrician signing your work off before powering the system up.  Legally, all 240vac work (From the inverter onwards) has to be carried out by a certified sparky and also any kit with a solar array of greater than 120v (More than 3 of our 420W panels in series) requires a sparky to sign off before powering up.

Question 6

What is your policy if something is faulty?

Accepted Answer

We are committed to keeping you powered up so firstly call us, if we can't sort out the problem over the phone we will need to see the faulty component and take it from there, either fixing or replacing, case by case.  We also have a small backup system to keep the basics running that we endeavor to keep at hand to keep you powered up whilst things are being resolved.

Question 7

Can you install for us?

Accepted Answer

We do not do installations ourselves, however we have an increasing list of local, qualified and highly skilled installers.

Question 8

Can you design specific to our requirements?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can create a custom sized kit to your exact requirements.

Question 9

Can you come and visit our site, hear our vision and assess the best options?

Accepted Answer

In most instances yes, although, along with business life, I am a very hands on parent of 3 homeschooled kids so depending on your location it may not always be possible or timely.  Site visits will generally entail a basic transport and consultancy fee.

Question 10

Can I upsize my kit at a later date?

Accepted Answer

You can add panels and increased capacity inverters to the capacity of your battery specs as time flows on but ideally batteries should be installed at the same time.  If a new battery is added to an already used system, it can be done but the new battery will be under a higher load and will deteriorate quicker.

FAQ

Phone

Email

Connect

Address

Bay 16
25 Waipanga Rd
Te Kamo
Whangarei
By appointment

FAQ

Phone

Email

Connect

Address

Bay 16 25 Waipanga Rd Te Kamo Whangarei By appointment ​

Bay 16
25 Waipanga Rd
Te Kamo
Whangarei
By appointment