|
|
21-12-2012, 10:26
|
#1
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,589
|
Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels
Hi Need suggestions for a good waterproof connecter (plug and socket type) to connect solar panels to charging cables. Fitting 2 x 135 watt panels on the davits. Through the davits I have run 2 x 25mm2 charge cables (AWG 3). Need a connector which will take two of the solar cables (wiring the panels parallel) on one side, and an AWG 3 cable on the other side. I'm trying to avoid the need to fit a water proof junction box. I've looked on the internet, but probably not googling the right words.
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
|
|
|
21-12-2012, 10:36
|
#2
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Boat: '76 Allied Seawind II, 32'
Posts: 9,626
|
Like an MC-4 connector?
|
|
|
21-12-2012, 11:50
|
#3
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Oriental, NC
Boat: Mainship Pilot 34
Posts: 1,461
|
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels
Wow #3 wire!!! You won't be able to use an MC-4 connector with that size wire.
I know you are trying to limit voltage drop, but unless your batteries are hundreds of feet away from the panels, 10 gauge will work and #6 will allow only a 0.3 V drop over 40' round trip.
The only thing that I can think of is a connector that is used for electric trolling motors and is made by Marinco. See Marinco ConnectPro Trolling Motor Locking Receptacle Set. It is a heavy plug and a socket that mounts on a flush surface. It is probably good for 30 amps. It accepts up to #6 wire.
I used one to hook up portable panels to an RV. Worked great, but I used #10 wire.
David
|
|
|
21-12-2012, 11:51
|
#4
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Boat: '76 Allied Seawind II, 32'
Posts: 9,626
|
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels
I saw the #3 wire and assumed it was a typo.......it's huge!!
|
|
|
21-12-2012, 12:03
|
#5
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,589
|
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sailmonkey
I saw the #3 wire and assumed it was a typo.......it's huge!!
|
I got a really good deal on the #3 wire, but it seems to be making the possibilities of an easy connection difficult, might be forced to use a junction box and crimp eyes on to all the cable terminations, was trying to avoid that. Looking at the Marinco connector, even that wont accept the #3 cable.
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
|
|
|
21-12-2012, 12:17
|
#6
|
Nearly an old salt
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Lefkas Marina ,Greece
Boat: Bavaria 36
Posts: 22,801
|
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels
These are 6mm wires , what are you running down them ???
dave
__________________
Interested in smart boat technology, networking and all things tech
|
|
|
21-12-2012, 14:09
|
#7
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,589
|
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels
Quote:
Originally Posted by goboatingnow
These are 6mm wires , what are you running down them ??? dave
|
Lots of sunshine I hope
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
|
|
|
21-12-2012, 14:11
|
#8
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 43 & S2 6.9
Posts: 969
|
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels
|
|
|
21-12-2012, 14:54
|
#9
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,589
|
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels
Wont accept the the big cable going to the controller.
Thinking what might work is a 2 into 1 MC4 adapter. Cut the connector from the single wire part of the adapter, and then butt joint that to the #3 wire.
That way I will be able to disconnect the solar panels if needed. Wont be pretty, but amalgamating tape and heat shrink will hide the butt joint
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
|
|
|
21-12-2012, 14:55
|
#10
|
Long Range Cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Australian living on "Sea Life" currently in England.
Boat: Beneteau 393 "Sea Life"
Posts: 12,822
|
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels
Hi Nigel,
I had the same problem but found the solution in a pair of galvanized plates with bolts through. The connections were fantastic because the wires were so compressed by the bolts
Certainly not as pretty as people would want, not a plug for sure, but does the trick of connecting large cables.
I agree with you useing the large cables. Its not going to hurt! As you say you want every ray of that sunlight in the batteries not wasted.
Similar to the photo below, but not U bolts.
Mark
|
|
|
21-12-2012, 15:08
|
#11
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,589
|
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels
Thanks Mark, did something similar with the wind geny cables, put, crimped eyes on to the different sized cables, then nut/bolt an d washers to squash it all together.
Way the weather is at the moment, going to take some change before I see any sunshine, roll on that retirement, only couple more years at the most.
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
|
|
|
22-12-2012, 00:57
|
#12
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 508
|
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels
How much does that wire weigh?
|
|
|
22-12-2012, 01:40
|
#13
|
Long Range Cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Australian living on "Sea Life" currently in England.
Boat: Beneteau 393 "Sea Life"
Posts: 12,822
|
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels
Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel1
Way the weather is at the moment, going to take some change before I see any sunshine, roll on that retirement, only couple more years at the most.
|
Well we are having a cold snap here. Tonight down to 16 deg C! Im almost frozen
|
|
|
22-12-2012, 15:53
|
#14
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Winnipeg
Boat: None at this time
Posts: 8,462
|
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels
Quote:
Well we are having a cold snap here. Tonight down to 16 deg C! Im almost frozen
|
Yeah, yeah, rub it in. I'll try to send you some -25c stuff...
Oh damn, I forgot to plug in the block heater.
|
|
|
23-12-2012, 02:23
|
#15
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,589
|
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcarling
How much does that wire weigh?
|
300 grams per meter
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Rate This Thread |
Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Advertise Here
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vendor Spotlight |
|
|
|