[C320-list] solar panel wiring

[danny jensen]

I used MC4 on deck and then needed to to translate the thick hard to deal
with MC4 to 10 AWG boat wire
http://www.genuinedealz.com/10-awg-gauge-2-conductor-marine-wire-duplex-flat I
think I terminated the mc4 on screw terminals
http://www.genuinedealz.com/terminal-block-wiring-strip-double-row-30-amp-4-position
using
these heat shrink connectors
http://www.genuinedealz.com/12-10-awg-heat-shrink-ring-terminal-10-hole-25-pack
. Terminal blocks make good test points.

here is a pick of my charge controller connection.
https://c320.org/mediagallery/popup.php?s=20181030190341158&sort=0

Danny

On Tue, 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)
>
>