[C320-list] solar panel wiring
Scott Thompson
surprise at thompson87.com
Tue Apr 16 12:11:43 PDT 2019
I'm installing new PV solar panels on a new bimini and need to make a
below-decks connection between the standard solar panel wiring (single
connector 10 gauge wire with insulation rated for outdoor use exposed to
the weather) to standard two-conductor DC boat wiring used internally to
the hull. The connection will be made inside the starboard lazarette
above the fuel tank after bring the cables down the backstay and then
into the vent on the starboard side of the transom. The panels (3 in
series) will be outputting a maximum of about 150 watts combined at
about 30 volts DC total. Call it 6 amps rounding upwards from the actual
specs. I'm thinking of making the connections using the standard MC4
connectors that seem to be the standard for solar panel wiring. However
I'm not sure whether these can be crimped onto the standard DC wiring
that runs from the transom to the MPPT solar charge regulator near the
batteries. Has anyone done this? Suggestions for an alternative
connector? I want connections I can disconnect so that I can attach a
smaller solar panel during winter layup.
Also, do you really need a special crimping tool for the MC4 connectors?
Seems like some careful work with needle nose pliers would work fine.
--
Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653 (1999)
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