[C320-list] solar panel wiring

[Utility Comcast]

Scott,

I did a similar installation with a flexible 125W Solbian panel mounted to the top of my Bimini.  I found a plastic Hella 2 pin low voltage bulkhead mounted plug that I mounted to the stern near my shore power inlet.  It has a weather sealed cover.  I purchased the connector at Downwind marine in San Diego, CA.  I also used the MC4 connectors for the connection to the solar panel and combined all off the exposed cabling in a wire loom.  It attached to the Bimini stanchion with small velcro ties to keep it ship shape and out of the way.  This Hella connector and my exposed wiring setup works really well for my flexible solar panel set up.  I can remove the solar panel and the cable and stow them underneath our large mattress in the master stateroom when we are not using the flexible solar panel.  

Check out my installation photos on our C320IA owners website.  Link below:

https://c320.org/mediagallery/album.php?aid=293&page=1 <https://c320.org/mediagallery/album.php?aid=293&page=1>

Dave

David Swanson
S/V Emily Ann
2007 Catalina 320 MK II, No. 1107
Mukilteo, WA




David B. Swanson, P.E., S.E.
LEED AP/F. SEI
Structural Engineer
(425) 508-7971 mobile
kswanson123 at comcast.net



> On Apr 16, 2019, at 12:11 PM, Scott Thompson <surprise at thompson87.com> wrote:
> 
> 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)
>