Claresholm Electric/ Kilts & Cables Solar - Claresholm, Alberta

Michelle G.

Update: David is trying to mitigate the review with his response, but my problem was not that the battery was in safe mode, this was not my "only" problem at all, and he communicated nothing with me at any point about this, he said inwas all set. Also for someone who would not communicate with me when he had my rv I cannot imagine he would have driven 12 hours to fix the many problems noted below including the very shoddy electrical setup. I am just trying to save someone else's money with this review, dont make the mistake I made and trust Kilt and cables.

His offer of a free service to make the sure the system works for camping season is laughable as we told him we live in the rv which is why we did such a large build and since it was fixed June 2024 it has worked amazingly, even boondocked for an entire month multiple times wiith no electrical issues with the fixed system. David's system could not even get us through 4 days without hookups.

The only reason this is a 1 star review is I cannot give zero. I would not want anyone else to have to deal with the unprofessional lack of communication and shoddy work performed by Kilt and Cables

The issues with David and Kilt and Cables began as soon as David had our money and our RV in his possession, we dropped it off and his initial estimate that a week was plenty of time to do the 1200 W, 400 AH, with soft start and inverter build so that we could RV off grid with no issues became ignored phone calls, no clarity on timelines and Lindsay (David's wife) took over to give no real info, in all it took a month for the build. The day we were told be could pick it up we were informed 1/2 hour before the pickup time it was not working and he needed more time but as its over an hour drive for us we were already well on our way and chose to wait in the yard shop for 2 hours for him to "complete" the work.

Once the work was "complete" we had asked David about the program of the inverter on the computer he had stated was necessary at the first meeting, but he informed us nope it was all done on the phone. He seemed to just want to be rid of us but wanted our money within 2 days.

So of course when the system failed a month later and the batteries were no longer able to charge through the inverter as they should when connected to shore power we immediately gave David the benefit of the doubt and thought it was a minor programming issue. Contacted Victron and got the name of someone to help us in the area as we were over 12 hours away Kilt and Cables

What was found was well beyond a simple programming mistake, the software was 2 firmware updates behind, all programming was default factory as it had never been done which also meant the system thought we were running Acid Lead batteries and not lithium. Beyond the lack ok knowledge on the system that Kilt and Cables indicated they knew how to install which they did not, the electrical work was shoddy and the issues included lugs barely touching pads and nuts, not even finger tight, wiring was a hodge podge of various gauges and poorly constructed lug connections, over sized lugs on several connections, a part of the electrical system was not grounded, the negative BUS bar was held on by one undersized screw and set to fail. The Victron recommended people fixing the issue took 8 HOURS to fix a brand new system and asked if the person who had installed it had any experience with electrical work or solar installs as the work was done so poorly and set to fail.

I am sure David will come on and say he should have had the opportunity to fix it but the scope of what was wrong and his poor communication and lack of solid timelines means I would not have trusted him and I hope no on else makes the same mistakes we made.

David and Lindsay have ignored my email asking them to pay the bill for this work I should not have had to pay for work that was a month old.

Also the work we had done is not all the work that will need to be done, it cost over 1500 to fix what Kilt and Cables did and will cost us more in the future

Annie L.

He defaulted on his own sales contract. I had agreed to his services and remitted him the deposit for a solar installation. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to back out of the installation. His contract stated a full refund as long as work has not initiated. Well, the work did not start as we were still at the approval stage. David refused to refund the deposit. He is not honest and has no integrity.

Michelle B.

Kilts & Cables carried out the electrical installation for our new Solar panel installation. David and Oscar were very professional and great to deal with from start to finish. The job was carried out in clean and professional way. Being on time is very important for us and David kept us in the loop throughout the project and was always available to answer questions and concerns. The final panel installation was very neatly done, with precision and an eye for aesthetics.
We would highly recommend Kilts & Cables for any electrical work. Our job was completed on budget and ahead of time. The final safety inspection was passed without any issues.
The team was very hard working and lovely to deal with.

Joe B.

Had an extremely pleasant experience dealing with David. I purchased a 400w solar RV kit from him and while I elected to do the install myself (be prepared for alot of things you didn't think of!!) he did setup the electrical for my electrical board for my vanbuild! He was extremely professional and took the time to answer my questions throughly and explain things I didn't understand. Thanks again very greatly appreciated!

kim L.

Please.... read this.

I wish so much I took the last review seriously... and if there was a zero I'd rather him that too.

David charged me $5,500 to "diagnose and fix my 100% off grid system" in the Pincher Creek area.

I was without water and power in -15 in late November for 30days while he was deciding how to fix it...

First he told me he was $115/hr and charged me $175/hr because he brought his young son apprentice. To be clear there was no lifting/ panels etc. No reason for an "apprentice".
Especially because he knew I could not afford this.

He added things to my system that were useless, cost me alot of money in parts & labour and did NOT get my power on.

His solution was to buy a new generator and batteries. My current generator is worth $8,000 and my battery bank is work around $15,000. He was going to do the favour or "removing" it for me.
He was not going to credit me any money on the core charge of the batteries (40.00 each) I have 24.
Or any money for the generator used (65%).

He wanted another $13,000 for new batteries and I would buy a new $1,700 generator...

THANK GOD, I was eventually led me to a new off grid person BECAUSE he showed up with a charger, HAD MY POWER RUNNING IN 20 MINUTES.
(After an entire month of no power and water in nov/december).

He charged my batteries, they are 100%. He programned the charger and inverter properly and now I have had zero problems and actually have enough power to not even need a generator.
This guy isn't even a "master electrician" like David claims.

He put a proper battery monitoring kit on and now he can watch my batteries no problem and I know exactly what is going on.

I approached David about his very bad advice, over charging and lack of capabilities.
I asked for money back out of the $5,500 I had already paid him. And he actually told me I cost him money...
How rude, I can no longer afford my vacation because of his shitty work and he said that to me! He claims he did a whole bunch of unpaid research. Seriously if you dont know your stuff this isn't my problem! I run a business too and do not charge my clients to look up information I don't already know.

But at the end of the day I paid him $5,500 and he did nothing but "try to fix it " and gave me a quote for new products that was going to be another $13,000.

He didn't even have the brains to pull a portable generator and charge me up to fill my batteries so I didn't freeze... let alone test my batteries he just made a bunch of assumptions. Really so he could make more money off me knowing I was in a vulnerable situation and a single woman.

He makes me sick to be honest. He is not qualified to work off grid. He doesn't have a clue all he can do is sell things and hook them up but he truly cannot problem solve.

Please....
Don't waste your hard earned money on this person.

UPDATE- After Davids "service" I employed a new Solar specialist. After he fixed everything for 1/2 the price of David. I have made the entire winter with power, not even using a generator or "replacing" the $15,000 worth of dead batteries David claimed I had!
Imagine that.

Barbara K.

David is a Master Electrician & for Great reason!!! Highly Recommended 👍👍👍 We have had him in three times & he always delivers excellent expertise & workmanship. Thank You David, Brian & Barb

Sarah L.

David from Kilts and Cables was a pleasure to work with! Highly recommend. We needed repairs and upgrades to our solar system for our off grid school bus and he came to us. He ordered all the parts then worked hard to get it all done in 1 long day. He was thorough, highly experienced, was able to explain options clearly (and provide multiple options for quotes) and was conscious of our tight budget. Would certainly use his services again!

JedDrea

We recently used Kilts & Cables to complete an unfinished electrical job in our basement. When David came to the initial meeting, he was prompt and very professional. That same evening he sent us a quote for the job and he was very thorough and his prices are exactly as discussed. When it came to the actual job itself he came according to the schedule that we agreed on and he even accommodated us when we had to make a last minute cancellation. His work is top notch and we are extremely happy with the finished job. We highly recommend Kilt and Cables and would definitely use him again.