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Panels to MPPT

T

Thos

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Feb 14, 2021
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I have purchased everything on the parts list for the 12v 1kw Solar system. The problem is that No. 5 says "Solar Panel Array to MPPT wires" But after buying the recommended two 40ft lengths of Windy Nation 8AWG wire to connect my solar panels to the MPPT, I see that it is not possible to connect the ends of the 8AWG wire into the MPPT because they have a heavy plastic connector on the ends.
Will Prowse does a video demo of connecting solar panels to the same MPPT that I have but he uses XT-60 connectors which will not fit into the connectors that are manufactured on the ends of the Windy Nation 8AWG wire coming from the solar panels.
 
chrisski said:
Most panels have MC4 Connectors. Look at MC4 8 AWG cables here:


THese may connect to your panels.
Click to expand...
Yes, I see the MC4 connectors in the link, and they are on the ends of the cables and they are on my solar panels so I have no problem connecting the cables to the panels, but how do I connect the cables coming from the solar panels into the MPPT?
 
Don B. Cilly said:
I use these - on the controller end :
View attachment 65907
Yellow should be plenty for 8 AWG.
Click to expand...
In the demo video for my MPPT, Will Prowse uses an XT-60 connector that he fabricated. He shoves the XT-60 end into the cables from his Solar Panels which are not MC4's like mine are so an XT-60 connector will not work for me. And then he shoves two bare wires at the other end of his creation into the MPPT that he has which is a duplicate of the one I have. So the yellow adaptor will not work for me. I need to be shoving a couple of bare wires into my MPPT but I had not expected to have to be cutting the MC4 connectors off of the ends of one of my expensive cables. Surely there is some kind of proper adapter.
 
I make MC pigtails by buying a short MC cable with male and female connectors pre-crimped, and cutting in half.

I connect panels together with MC, add extension MC if needed, plug into MC pigtails where transitioning to other stuff (junction boxes in my case, SCC in yours.) Everything waterproof or at least drip-proof.

I find it handy to be able to unplug things (with current flow shut off) for testing or doing work. I like MC connectors.
 
There's no "proper adapter".
Your MPPT charger/controller has clamp connectors that you screw tight, right?
So you can either stick the bare ends of the wires in there, which will tend to slip out, or use pin terminals/ferrules.
Or you could solder-smother said ends so they slip out less... but those pin terminals... any decent electronics/hardware shop will sell you a bag of 50 for next-to-nothing, man.
 
Thos said:
Yes, I see the MC4 connectors in the link, and they are on the ends of the cables and they are on my solar panels so I have no problem connecting the cables to the panels, but how do I connect the cables coming from the solar panels into the MPPT?
Click to expand...
Cut off the end, strip the insulation, and insert into the connector and tighten the screws. Yes you can use ferrules (I do) but they are not required.
 
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