C&F gone

Ecocel

New Member
Is there an installation charge or just the annual charge?

We fit the IMI at the same time we come to do first service or repair so there is no additional charge
The unit is £500+Vat per annum and there are no additional charges if it becomes faulty, we simply replace it
 

Raider112

Member
We fit the IMI at the same time we come to do first service or repair so there is no additional charge
The unit is £500+Vat per annum and there are no additional charges if it becomes faulty, we simply replace it
No good then, just been serviced and C&F want a new agreement signed by the end of the month.
 

Big Red2

New Member
Hi All, as we are being asked for prices related to distance of travel, I would just like to confirm we work on a fixed rate basis and only charge extra if we require a ferry, we also cover the hole of the UK.
Thanks
NextGen Ltd
[email protected]
07989 986002

Alternatively contact UKTOG vier the website.
 

Morayman

New Member
Hi All, as we are being asked for prices related to distance of travel, I would just like to confirm we work on a fixed rate basis and only charge extra if we require a ferry, we also cover the hole of the UK.
Thanks
NextGen Ltd
[email protected]
07989 986002

Alternatively contact UKTOG vier the website.
So how quickly could you be on site to diagnose a repair, and be in a position to remove a turbine if it needed workshop facilities?
This for say the NE of Scotland?
 

Big Red2

New Member
Hi, diagnostics are cared out remotely and followed by a site visit if necessary, one example, slew motor failed in Aberdeen a few weeks back, we were on site and repaired within 3 days, another one lost a blade in mid wales, new shaft fitted etc up and running within 48hours. As a group it was agreed that minimising down time is a priority, I am sure you would agree. Both above examples came it at £2,000+vat each.
 

Morayman

New Member
In answer to Raider112: haven’t got the hang of quoting yet!

Maybe heard there’s two other companies touting for business and needing to trap as many as possible.
Does the request coincide with the anniversary of your installation, or is this out of the blue?
This to give me warning of getting a similar letter.
 

Raider112

Member
In answer to Raider112: haven’t got the hang of quoting yet!

Maybe heard there’s two other companies touting for business and needing to trap as many as possible.
Does the request coincide with the anniversary of your installation, or is this out of the blue?
This to give me warning of getting a similar letter.
Sorry I'm not sure what quote you're referring to, the new C&F need a payment by the end of May for monitoring if I have it right.
 

Morayman

New Member
Thanks for reply. I haven’t had that email or letter yet so will just have to see if my turbine stops.
I certainly don’t want to encourage them by reminding them.
Sorry I'm not sure what quote you're referring to, the new C&F need a payment by the end of May for monitoring if I have it right.
 

Morayman

New Member
Mouser Electronics also have the thermistors for £6.80 + Vat. The ones below suit my split phase set up for a 20 kw turbine.
1
995-MS35-5R025
MFG Part No: MS35 5R025
Ametherm 38mm 5ohms 25A / Inrush
TARIC:8533401000 ECCN:EAR99 COO:US
55 Current Limiters
0
6.800
34.00

Interestingly, my turbine ran with C&F comms until recently with access to Green Machine data beyond the end of May. Now running without comms. Will see how it goes.
 

anemoi power

New Member
Hi
We have recently taken over looking after the Wind Turbine side of Eagle Power, we understand that manufacturers have gone bust or turned their phones off or even decided not to look after existing customers! I know this should be illegal, please don't worry as we can help by converting these mast to the new SD machine (Proven/Kingspan). FiT rate don't worry we have that covered and also we can provide a specialist finance package to help short term. service contracts available and national UK operations.

Please do get in touch with us ASAP [email protected] 01422 207986
 

Notts Wolf

Member
Arable Farmer
1ST POST Hi guys, I am an C&F owner needing monitoring and servicing from an alternative provider, since this thread was last active, generally how have you got on with your various servicing and repair companies and who would you recommend?
 

Morayman

New Member
1ST POST Hi guys, I am an C&F owner needing monitoring and servicing from an alternative provider, since this thread was last active, generally how have you got on with your various servicing and repair companies and who would you recommend?

Hello and welcome.

What size of turbine have you got?
Our 20 kw has run well for six months without comms. Since the initial month where it required restarting every week to 10 days it now only needs a restart every two to three months.
Because I’m happy with its performance and the fact it knows when to regulate itself in high wind, I’d be very reluctant to contract myself into another nightmare like the C&F debacle.
In four months I”ll also be looking for a service provider who is happy to provide proper service and repair options. This without a need to change out the existing controller, because after five years it is actually doing what it’s supposed to. Changing it would be like starting again with the potential of years of playing around with it to get it working properly. On top of that I don’t see the point of paying an additional £500 a year for 24/7 monitoring to only have to phone up the provider to let them know there’s issues. C&F never pre-warned me of issues even after a turbine fell off the mast so I cannot see any benefit. They may insist they can diagnose some up mast issues remotely, but the truth is if the problem isn’t at ground level the thing needs dropped anyway.
Being a bit of a cynic, I’m wondering if tying customers into having a bespoke controller isn’t just to ensure a captive customer. I’d rather have the option of being able to choose the best service and repair provider on a yearly/ time needed basis, rather than being held on account to having to use the provider linked to the type of controller installed.
Please let us know how you get on!
 
Last edited:

Notts Wolf

Member
Arable Farmer
Hello and welcome.

What size of turbine have you got?
Our 20 kw has run well for six months without comms. Since the initial month where it required restarting every week to 10 days it now only needs a restart every two to three months.
Because I’m happy with its performance and the fact it knows when to regulate itself in high wind, I’d be very reluctant to contract myself into another nightmare like the C&F debacle.
In four months I”ll also be looking for a service provider who is happy to provide proper service and repair options. This without a need to change out the existing controller, because after five years it is actually doing what it’s supposed to. Changing it would be like starting again with the potential of years of playing around with it to get it working properly. On top of that I don’t see the point of paying an additional £500 a year for 24/7 monitoring to only have to phone up the provider to let them know there’s issues. C&F never pre-warned me of issues even after a turbine fell off the mast so I cannot see any benefit. They may insist they can diagnose some up mast issues remotely, but the truth is if the problem isn’t at ground level the thing needs dropped anyway.
Being a bit of a cynic, I’m wondering if tying customers into having a bespoke controller isn’t just to ensure a captive customer. I’d rather have the option of being able to choose the best service and repair provider on a yearly/ time needed basis, rather than being held on account to having to use the provider linked to the type of controller installed.
Please let us know how you get on!
Good morning Marayman, Your Experience ,attitude and outlook mirror my own. I have been operating without monitoring. 20kw of the Japanese mark of C&F turbine, I was concerned that the turbine may need to be switched off in extreme weather. I had 2 breakdowns in January and February 2019, down for 7 weeks total, but has been running smoothly since. I have had to manually start the turbine a dozen times this Autumn, summer. Mostly when there has been little or no wind. Your analysis of the controller service appears to what I was thinking, Thanks for this valuable opinion.
 

Notts Wolf

Member
Arable Farmer
Good morning Marayman, Your Experience ,attitude and outlook mirror my own. I have been operating without monitoring. 20kw of the Japanese mark of C&F turbine, I was concerned that the turbine may need to be switched off in extreme weather. I had 2 breakdowns in January and February 2019, down for 7 weeks total, but has been running smoothly since. I have had to manually start the turbine a dozen times this Autumn, summer. Mostly when there has been little or no wind. Your analysis of the controller service appears to what I was thinking, Thanks for this valuable opinion.
Morayman
 

Morayman

New Member
Good morning Marayman, Your Experience ,attitude and outlook mirror my own. I have been operating without monitoring. 20kw of the Japanese mark of C&F turbine, I was concerned that the turbine may need to be switched off in extreme weather. I had 2 breakdowns in January and February 2019, down for 7 weeks total, but has been running smoothly since. I have had to manually start the turbine a dozen times this Autumn, summer. Mostly when there has been little or no wind. Your analysis of the controller service appears to what I was thinking, Thanks for this valuable opinion.

I should qualify a couple of my points:

Although I initially had the later type of controller fitted, it was destroyed when it went up the mast as the turbine head broke away from the mast. C&F replaced it with the basic earlier type of controller. This seems to work fine off comms.
I’m not sure about the later type of controller that provides a lot more information. You say you have the Jap version which would imply a later controller. You may need to ask whether this runs in high wind mode off comms or physically monitor it yourself to ensure it doesn’t over speed.
As I said earlier, my turbine off comms initially needed regular restarts, but as time has gone by (over six months) has not needed a restart for a long time.
I don’t know whether this is related to the controller learning that it can run or a more constant wind pattern in the late summer/autumn.
 

OkHumourMe

Member
Location
Ireland
Thermistors for the transformers are just under £8 to buy. Good profit maker for turbine companies. I and a lot of others change them ourselves. Its not hard, just be careful to switch off power from both sides (mains and generator) first.

My machine doesnt make enough to be throwing it away with that sort of costs.
Hi Farmer Boy... where do you buy them please ?
 

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