Multimeter/Ammeter Recommendations

 Hello, Everyone.

Recently, I attended an excellent 4-day workshop on the installation of
residential photovoltaic systems. As a result, I plan to install such a
system at my home after I rustle up some additional cash (sizing TBD).

During the hands-on portion of the workshop, the instructor suggested
that we eventually purchase a portable multimeter and clamp-on ammeter
as a part of our installation toollkit. (She was using Wavetech and
Fluke meters)

I have sent this message to get your suggestions and recommendations
regarding useful and effective meters for PV system installations.

My budget for these tools? Within reason (<= $500 each), price is no
object.

Given that I am also seriously considering PV system installation as a
second career I would be willing to invest some serious cash for quality
tools.

Please respond to me directly as well as to this newsgroup.

Thanks.

--
Ed Lomax (edlomax at earthlink dot net)

  Ed,

I've had very good luck with the Cen-Tech line, which are Fluke knock
offs. You can get these are Harbor Freight. I've had a 37772-3VGA for 5
years now - I used it when I was repairing digital copiers so I can
tell you it works well in field conditions. I've also got their
42397-0VGA which is a clamp on version. The 37772 has a temp. probe,
which is something you don't know you need, but you do.


Max
http://www.northernmichigansolar.com

 

Beemerwacker, Hawker, Jeff, Dave, DJ, et al:

MANY thanks to you all for your helpful advice and suggestions.

I have ordered catalogs from Fluke, Wavetech, and Extech. I will also
look into the Cen-Tech line. I will make a decision after read the
catalogs and do some additional research on some of the models that were
suggested.

I did not mean to start a potential flame war over the merits of cheap
versus expensive meters.

In answer to DJ's question:

I took the Residential Photovoltaic Installation Workshop in the Solar
Energy Center at the State University of New York (SUNY) Farmingdale
last month.

http://www.tech.farmingdale.edu/depts/met/solar/

Farmingdale is located on Long Island, New York.

This was an *excellent* workshop and well worth my time.

SUNY Farmingdale is also an exam site for the NABCEP certification exam.

With this course and a minimum of two (2) PV system installations, one
can sit for the NABCEP certification exam.

http://www.nabcep.org/

Pass this exam, and you become NABCEP certified as a PV Installer. As I
understand it, the NABCEP certification is rapidly becoming a valuable
piece of paper in the PV installation universe.

At present, I am looking for an opportunity to install some PV systems.

If anyone out there is looking for an apprentice, intern, or an extra
hand for your installation contracts, PLEASE feel free to contact me. :-)

(Although I could potentially travel anywhere in the lower 48 states, if
your company is based in the Southeastern United States that would work
better for me. If your company is based within driving distance of
Atlanta, GA that would be ideal.)

--
Ed Lomax (edlomax at earthlink dot net)

 
Edward Lomax wrote:


It is indeed. Even Canada's CanSIA (Canadian Solar Industries
Association) is developing a sister program, designed in association
with NABCEP. I work in Quebec, where there exists an electrical general
contractor licence, "installation of electricity generating equipment"
covering solar, wind, microhydro, etc. that is even well beyond that.

Good luck with it!

DJ

 

Over two-thirds of the people in my workshop class were either  
electricians or electrical contractors.
 
To paraphrase my workshop instructor: Given the number of roofs that
could host modules, the decreasing of those modules, and the increasing
cost of electrical energy, it's not a matter of if there will be more
than enough work for everyone, it's a matter of when there will be
enough installers to meet the demand for residential and commercial PV
systems.

Thank you for the encouraging words.

--
Ed Lomax (edlomax at earthlink dot net)