Any reason to use solar panel connections?

[pods8]

Is there any compelling reason one would need to use the solar panel connections that come on a panel such as MC4 connectors instead of just cutting them off and adding on the wiring of preference?

This comes up because I was thinking of adding one of these plugs to the roof of my build. The male plugs can come with 5' 12ga leads and I figured it'd be easy to just splice those to the solar panel leads which had their connectors cut off rather than buying a chunk of cable with MC4 connectors on it to then splice into the leads of the male plug. There would sill be a plug connection in the mix if the panel needed to be removed.

At face value it seems pretty clear cut to me but just wanted to double check.

 

[BorntoVenture]

I don't see any problem with swapping the plugs. The only reason I could see to keep them is if you traveled with a group and they were sort of a standard plug that everyone could use, otherwise I would change them to whatever worked best for you.

I really like that connector you showed above, would you mind linking to it if it's available online? Thanks!

 

[dwh]

Is there any compelling reason one would need to use the solar panel connections that come on a panel such as MC4 connectors instead of just cutting them off and adding on the wiring of preference?

This comes up because I was thinking of adding one of these plugs to the roof of my build. The male plugs can come with 5' 12ga leads and I figured it'd be easy to just splice those to the solar panel leads which had their connectors cut off rather than buying a chunk of cable with MC4 connectors on it to then splice into the leads of the male plug. There would sill be a plug connection in the mix if the panel needed to be removed.

At face value it seems pretty clear cut to me but just wanted to double check.

Cutting off the MC connectors normally voids the warranty.

You can get a short MC4 extension and cut it in half and splice the cut ends to that connector in your pic.

 

[ThomD]

I don't see any problem with swapping the plugs. The only reason I could see to keep them is if you traveled with a group and they were sort of a standard plug that everyone could use, otherwise I would change them to whatever worked best for you.

I really like that connector you showed above, would you mind linking to it if it's available online? Thanks!

that's an SAE connector. Easy to find on line. I added one to my National Luna portable battery pack so that I could plug my solar panel into the battery.

 

[pods8]

I really like that connector you showed above, would you mind linking to it if it's available online? Thanks!

One of the guys at WTW posted up a source for them here: http://www.solarseller.com/low_voltage_dc_pumps__lvm__teel__accessories__plugs_and_extensions.htm

Cutting off the MC connectors normally voids the warranty.

You can get a short MC4 extension and cut it in half and splice the cut ends to that connector in your pic.

Ah I had not thought about the warranty, definitely a consideration there.

Yeah I know there are short MC4 cables out there but if there wasn't a reason to keep them in the mix I figured why spend the money and have another connector set in the mix.

that's an SAE connector. Easy to find on line. I added one to my National Luna portable battery pack so that I could plug my solar panel into the battery.

Yeah I gathered what it was and I liked the look of it, was just determining if I should keep the MC4 connections in the mix.

 

[Rando]

Most decent solar panels will have a junction box on the back, you can open it up, unscrew the MC4 pigtails, and screw in whatever cable you would like. Keep the MC4 pigtails so that you can put them back on if there were ever a warranty issue.

 

[VicHanson]

You can also buy just the MC-4 connectors to put on your cable going to the batteries. I think it cost me about $20 for 6 of them for my 3 panels. Any reason to use them? I know of one but I hope it will never be an issue for you! I had a 2 bolts come loose on one side of one panel, the wind got underneath of it (while driving) and ripped it off of the roof, pulling out the mounts on the other side, and the whole panel went flying off the camper. I was surprised, but thrilled, to see that the other 2 panels were still producing full power. When I climbed up on the roof to look, I saw that the MC-4 connectors had just pulled apart without damaging the junction box or the other connections. There is a plastic 'catch' that is supposed to hold them together but with the sudden jerk on it it must have released, there is no damage to the connectors.
Vic

 

[Michael]

MC-4 connectors available on Amazon

The MC-4 connectors would likely be available from any local solar panel installer in your area. San Diego has a good one if you're in this area. Amazon also has them for sale.

The MC-4 connectors have a "lock" to keep them connected that takes a unique tool to open. If you get tired of using a pair of pliers to open them, you can just file down the ears of the connector to make it hand tight.

I use them on external connections because they're waterproof. If that isn't an issue for you, you could make up a pigtail converter with two MC-4 connectors on one end and your plug, and two Anderson Power Poles (or whatever suits your fancy) on the other end.

Here is what my panel installation looks like with the MC-4 connectors.

 

[ExpoMike]

The MC-4 connectors would likely be available in any local solar panel installer in your area. San Diego has a good one if you're in this area.

Care to share this info? I am in this area. :ylsmoke:

 

[pods8]

Most decent solar panels will have a junction box on the back, you can open it up, unscrew the MC4 pigtails, and screw in whatever cable you would like. Keep the MC4 pigtails so that you can put them back on if there were ever a warranty issue.

Good to know, I like this potential.

The MC-4 connectors would likely be available in any local solar panel installer in your area. San Diego has a good one if you're in this area. Amazon also has them for sale.

The MC-4 connectors have a "lock" to keep them connected that takes a unique tool to open. If you get tired of using a pair of pliers to open them, you can just file down the ears of the connector to make it hand tight.

I use them on external connections because they're waterproof. If that isn't an issue for you, you could make up a pigtail converter with two MC-4 connectors one one end and your plug, two Anderson Power Poles, or whatever suits your fancy on the other end.

Here is what my panel installation looks like with the MC-4 connectors.

Loose MC4's take a special crimping tool don't they? I suppose if/when I go forward if I found a local source they could just crimp them on my pigtail if I wanted, otherwise I'm not interested in getting the tool for a 1 off deal.

The reason I didn't necessarily want them is I viewed them as 1 extra connection and an unneeded cost based on the parts I was showing above.

 

[Michael]

Care to share this info? I am in this area. :ylsmoke:

CED GreenTech is the name of the company. They're at 7980 Ronson Road, between Convoy and Mercury. The MC-4 connectors run $4.50 ea. Don't forget to pick up the metal male/female connector parts which are part of the plug but are kept separate in the bin.

 

[Michael]

Good to know, I like this potential.



Loose MC4's take a special crimping tool don't they? I suppose if/when I go forward if I found a local source they could just crimp them on my pigtail if I wanted, otherwise I'm not interested in getting the tool for a 1 off deal.

The reason I didn't necessarily want them is I viewed them as 1 extra connection and an unneeded cost based on the parts I was showing above.

The reason I used them is they are a very solid connector and they're waterproof (there is an o-ring in the plug and a compression seal around the feed wire). Out of the weather, I just used 30A Anderson Power poles and various crimp connectors. MC-4 plugs are a bit of an overkill on a mobile installation, but they do their job very very well and are ideal for trail use. I'll consider them for future applications where I need a weather proof plug that is guaranteed not to come loose. Once you figure them out, the plugs are very simple to use.

MC-4 connectors do have a special crimping tool, and they're not cheap by any means. The place I bought them offered to crimp them on for me but that wasn't convenient. Like you, I really wasn't interested in buying a special tool for the few connectors I needed. Fortunately, you don't really need the crimp tool. I just inserted the 8AWG wire into the metal male/female connector, wrapped the tabs around the wire with a needle nose pliers, and soldered them. It took me about 10 seconds a connector and I prefer solder to crimps anyway. Don't forget to slide the plastic part onto the wire first

The downside to the plug is that they're designed to stay connected -- during tornados, apparently -- and a special tool is used to disconnect them. Unfortunately, the tool is sold only with the crimper, as far as I can find locally anyway. The tool is just a plastic gap wrench (--= ) which compresses the ears on the male plug enough to slide them past the detents on the female plug. I was able to disconnect them using a needle nose pliers and some cuss words a few times. After doing that a few times, I realized I just needed to file the detent's ears down a skoshie so that I could use my fingers to depress the ears and separate the plugs. They are still very solid fitting and I no longer shock the neighbors when taking them apart.

As my system is portable, I also used a set of MC-4 plugs as "dummy plugs" to seal the ends of the connecting cable in my bumper area that is exposed to mud, water, salt, etc. On the dummy plugs, I just inserted a short machine bolt into the compression ring and tightened it down a bit. I put the dummy plugs on when the solar panel isn't installed and it keeps the connections clean and dry.

 

[VicHanson]

We soldered them on.

 

[pods8]

Ah I hadn't considered the connections could be soldered, that makes it much easier.