Body through solar cable connections

[Colin Hughes]

I've been running the cables from my solar panel to my controller through a small crack in a rear window but would like to do a permanent mount through the body, hopefully at the rear near the top of the rear cargo door on my discovery. I'm wondering what others have done. It would be great to have a box that the exterior cables could plug into when the panel is in use. I understand though that every connection you make drops the amount of power making it to the battery. I'm currently running a 10a, 100 watt panel.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Cord grips are designed for this purpose.

I have not found types that have deeper shafts to allow it to go through thicker materials, or layers.

http://www.google.com/search?q=cord...oHqqg2gXb_IDQDA&ved=0CEIQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=681

 

[Colin Hughes]

Thanks, I'll take a look at this. Was thinking more of some sort of box but this might work well too. Still playing with rack ideas, having one that is flexible for all I want to use it for.

 

[Martyn]

The cord tight fittings are great if you want to pass cable through a bulkhead. We use a waterproof plug and socket set up. These work well if you want to be able to disconnect the exterior solar panels from the interior solar controller.

 

[Colin Hughes]

Hi Martyn, that's more of what I'm looking for.

 

[Ramjet]

Martyn, you have a link for that plug? Thanks.

 

[wrcsixeight]

I have ordered about 20 of those type of connectors(without the backing plate for pass through).

In both 10 awg and 18 awg wire sizes.

Many of them have failed with use. The wires just lose connection with the pin and barrell connectors inside the plastic

Many of them have to be wiggled and held just so.

Many of them heat up greatly when passing more than 8 amps

Many of them work just fine passing 25 amps and have so for years.

I'm over them.

 

[Martyn]

No link to the connectors, we have lots of smaller items like this that are not on our website. PM or send me an e mail with you shipping zip code and City and I'll send you pricing. The socket and plug are sold as separate units so specify if you want both.

We have never experienced any issues with this connection. wrcsixeight, I'm guessing your problems were due to the manufacturer and QC.

The units we use are for 10 gauge wire.

 

[wrcsixeight]

wrcsixeight, I'm guessing your problems were due to the manufacturer and QC.

No argument there. I got them at allelectronics.com.

More issues with the 18 awg wire ones, but the 10 awgs still had issues.

I was happy when I found this was the reason my fridge stopped working on 12 volts:

Not much stress could have been placed on this connector to pull that wire out

 

[Ramjet]

No argument there. I got them at allelectronics.com.

More issues with the 18 awg wire ones, but the 10 awgs still had issues.

I was happy when I found this was the reason my fridge stopped working on 12 volts:

Not much stress could have been placed on this connector to pull that wire out

Thanks. Better to know now than later in the middle of nowhere. Moving on....

 

[craig333]

I originally went with this, but I figured I'd eventually have some tree or other object grab it and rip it out.

So I just went with a little marine doohiceky designed for running a cable through.

Still thats a compromise, ideally the wiring would have entered underneath the panel but I couldn't do that without tearing out the liner.

 

[Borrego60]

What guage wire is on the back side and how long is it? Thanks.

The cord tight fittings are great if you want to pass cable through a bulkhead. We use a waterproof plug and socket set up. These work well if you want to be able to disconnect the exterior solar panels from the interior solar controller.
I think this should work for you needs.
View attachment 119531

http://www.powerlet.com/product/luggage-electrix-connector-pac02224-extension-cable/289