Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 21-12-2012, 10:26   #1
Moderator Emeritus
 
nigel1's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

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
nigel1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-12-2012, 10:36   #2
Registered User
 
Sailmonkey's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Boat: '76 Allied Seawind II, 32'
Posts: 9,626
Like an MC-4 connector?
Sailmonkey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 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
djmarchand is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-12-2012, 11:51   #4
Registered User
 
Sailmonkey's Avatar

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!!
Sailmonkey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-12-2012, 12:03   #5
Moderator Emeritus
 
nigel1's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,589
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sailmonkey View Post
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
nigel1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-12-2012, 12:17   #6
Nearly an old salt
 
goboatingnow's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Lefkas Marina ,Greece
Boat: Bavaria 36
Posts: 22,801
Images: 3
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
goboatingnow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-12-2012, 14:09   #7
Moderator Emeritus
 
nigel1's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,589
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels

Quote:
Originally Posted by goboatingnow View Post
These are 6mm wires , what are you running down them ??? dave
Lots of sunshine I hope
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
nigel1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 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

Could something like this be used?

ACCEL DFI 74812 Weatherproof Electrical 2 Pin Connector : Amazon.com : Automotive
maytrix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-12-2012, 14:54   #9
Moderator Emeritus
 
nigel1's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

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
nigel1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-12-2012, 14:55   #10
Long Range Cruiser
 
MarkJ's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Australian living on "Sea Life" currently in England.
Boat: Beneteau 393 "Sea Life"
Posts: 12,822
Images: 25
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
Attached Images
 
__________________
Notes on a Circumnavigation.
OurLifeAtSea.com

Somalia Pirates and our Convoy
MarkJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-12-2012, 15:08   #11
Moderator Emeritus
 
nigel1's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

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
nigel1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 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?
mcarling is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-12-2012, 01:40   #13
Long Range Cruiser
 
MarkJ's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Australian living on "Sea Life" currently in England.
Boat: Beneteau 393 "Sea Life"
Posts: 12,822
Images: 25
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels

Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel1 View Post

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
__________________
Notes on a Circumnavigation.
OurLifeAtSea.com

Somalia Pirates and our Convoy
MarkJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-12-2012, 15:53   #14
Registered User
 
DeepFrz's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

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.
DeepFrz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-12-2012, 02:23   #15
Moderator Emeritus
 
nigel1's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Boat: Beneteau 473
Posts: 5,589
Re: Waterproof Connectors For Solar Panels

Quote:
Originally Posted by mcarling View Post
How much does that wire weigh?
300 grams per meter
__________________
Nigel
Beneteau 473
Manchester, UK
nigel1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
panels, solar

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:49.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.