highwaypirate
New Member
That is a good idea to try out.
A Question on MPPT Controllers
- Thread starter highwaypirate
- Start date
Q-Dog
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Don't believe everything you see on the internet.
Just use the correct wire. No reason to make any modifications to the equipment. West Marine has high strand wire by the foot if you don't want to wait for an internet order.
I tested using solar wire instead of high strand wire in the Victrons and the difference in temperature was surprising.
highwaypirate
New Member
I'll definitely look into that this spring, as I would like to get larger cables for my install.
LakeHouse
Solar Enthusiast
Victron can't seem to decide on the topic of ferrules. The underline on the last sentence in screenshot below is from the original, taken from Victron's wiring unlimited. Also, the 'screw connector' shown at the top is clearly an SCC. I have also seen the Victron community forum post indicating that ferrules are not recommended. I think, 'use your judgement' is probably a good idea here. Personally, I always use ferrules for fine stranded connections and will continue to do so.
highwaypirate
New Member
So a quick update on the CC dilema...
I had went to a solar supply store to purchase better PV wires. The shop had helped out with replacing all of my wiring and I asked if they could install the Victorn that wouldn't keep my old wires tightly connected. Unfortunately, we were unable to get the new wires to stay inside the terminals tightly either. One of the installers had told me the terminals which many MPPT controllers use can be easily damaged, and was uncertain if there are any MPPT controllers with bolt terminals (such as my PWM shown at the beginning of this post).
So... until I luck out and come across an MPPT with similar terminals as my PWMs, I will be stuck using my old PWM controllers. Although the shop did say a lot of PWM controllers sold by Renogy use similar terminal connectors, I've had a bad experience with Renogy products in the past.
In case someone does spot an MPPT online or even has one they would like to sell that uses bolt terminals, please send me a PM. Thank you for all of your input on the situation everyone!
I had went to a solar supply store to purchase better PV wires. The shop had helped out with replacing all of my wiring and I asked if they could install the Victorn that wouldn't keep my old wires tightly connected. Unfortunately, we were unable to get the new wires to stay inside the terminals tightly either. One of the installers had told me the terminals which many MPPT controllers use can be easily damaged, and was uncertain if there are any MPPT controllers with bolt terminals (such as my PWM shown at the beginning of this post).
So... until I luck out and come across an MPPT with similar terminals as my PWMs, I will be stuck using my old PWM controllers. Although the shop did say a lot of PWM controllers sold by Renogy use similar terminal connectors, I've had a bad experience with Renogy products in the past.
In case someone does spot an MPPT online or even has one they would like to sell that uses bolt terminals, please send me a PM. Thank you for all of your input on the situation everyone!
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Q-Dog
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Use the Wire Box accessory to secure the wires on the 100/20.
www.victronenergy.com
MPPT WireBox - Tr - Victron Energy
The MPPT WireBox provides an extra level of safety, and is particularly useful if your MPPT Solar Charger is installed in a general access area.
highwaypirate
New Member
Its the terminal screws that are the problem, although I have looked at that item.Use the Wire Box accessory to secure the wires on the 100/20.
MPPT WireBox - Tr - Victron Energy
The MPPT WireBox provides an extra level of safety, and is particularly useful if your MPPT Solar Charger is installed in a general access area.
Q-Dog
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I know, user error.
highwaypirate
New Member
I was right in the beginning; backlashed again for a simple question. I'll request this thread be pulled.
Seems rather extreme reaction on your part to the responses you have received.
I am not a Victron user so I can not say conclusively that your problem with the wire terminals is their poor design or simply misapplication on your part. I just know that Victron's market is the mobile (boats and RV's) one so I would expect that a problem with vibration loosening terminals would be a major topic of frequent discussion. I have not see this in my research.
Edit: Incidentally I have found on some terminal types on various DC breakers and SCC's that the first tightening is insufficient to hold. The stranded wire compresses and can pull loose. It takes several rounds of tighten, loosen and re-tighten to reach a good long term hold.
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OffGridForGood
Catch, make or grow everything you can.
Options:
Strain relief connectors
extra wire support/clips to structure to ensure the wires can't move and pull out
wire box - clearly Victon has thought about this issue.
fine strand wire
ferrules
solder the wires into the terminals?
OR
open the case, remove the factory terminal block, add your own block with threaded studs. Done.
Strain relief connectors
extra wire support/clips to structure to ensure the wires can't move and pull out
wire box - clearly Victon has thought about this issue.
fine strand wire
ferrules
solder the wires into the terminals?
OR
open the case, remove the factory terminal block, add your own block with threaded studs. Done.
Use ultra fine strand wire that is big enough to fill the hole. Make sure terminal block is fully open. Rotate wire slightly as you insert it into terminal block to keep loose strands from sticking out and potentially shorting to other wires. Wiggle the wire as you clamp it down to help the strands settle before final tightening. Done. The connection is not going anywhere.
grizzzman
Photon Vampire
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2019
- Messages
- 2,757
Questions are always good. But the bottom line is you need to decide for yourself what information to use. I just put together a system that uses a Victron 110/30 MPPT due to a tight bend in the wire's were pulling out a bit. I installed ferrules and a strain relief to correct.
OffGridForGood
Catch, make or grow everything you can.
If the OP has an extreme case, off-road vibration, problems with the wires coming loose, could they solder a small blob on the very end of the wire, so that once tightened into the terminal block the solder acts like an anchor - ie slightly larger and stiffer bit at the end of the wires to ensure it can't pull out. - just thinking out loud.
Q-Dog
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
and how not to. (screen shot from a"40 year electrician" who claims the wiring was correct.)
seneysolar
Solar Enthusiast
The "wire box" does not do anything to secure wires , it just covers them up.Use the Wire Box accessory to secure the wires on the 100/20.
MPPT WireBox - Tr - Victron Energy
The MPPT WireBox provides an extra level of safety, and is particularly useful if your MPPT Solar Charger is installed in a general access area.
No matter what kind of wire, it should have strain relief.
I use Adel clamps
Q-Dog
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No. Solder will wick between wire strands and bind the strands making this connection a fire hazard because solder can melt and loosen the connection. Happened to me once. You should never crimp or compress soldered wire.
seneysolar
Solar Enthusiast
I see now. Thank you.
Does it grab the insulation or the wire?
This is not shown on the website or described without digging. And why the heck is it not included with EVERY cc?
All advertisements show the plastic cover, that inner piece is pretty darn important to not show. It simply says it "covers all terminals preventing accidental contact"
Q-Dog
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
It grabs the insulation.
I included a link above to the PDF that shows how to install it.
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