Deck connectors

[sesmith]

I'm looking for better replacement deck connectors for my solar panels. We trailer the boat for trips, and I have to remove one of the panels for trailering. Currently I'm using these Perko deck connectors:

https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=15341

Not real happy with them as the connections loosen up and "watertight" is a bit of a joke.

I came across these Aquasignal connectors with some forum searches:

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|328|2289944|2289946&id=680929

Are they as good as the price seems to indicate? Is there a better and less pricey choice? Thanks. This seems to be the place to ask such questions.

 

[justsomeguy]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MC4_connector

 

[sesmith]

Thx, but don't want MC4's. I cut them off. Needs to be a deck connector feed thru.

 

[All U Get]

I use these, no problems.
https://shop.hamiltonmarine.com/departments/controls--cables--amp--connectors-|EL|CON.html

All U Get

 

[sesmith]

Those look good for running a wire through, but I want a connector mounted to the deck that I can plug into. It needs to be weatherproof. The Aquasignal connectors seem to fit the bill, but wonder if anyone has used them and can recommend them, or if there's a cheaper alternative that will work well.

 

[All U Get]

Maybe having this type of wiring would let you disconnect when you trailer the boat.
https://www.amazon.com/Extension-Co...207&sr=1-17&keywords=battery+cable+connectors

All U Get

 

[thinwater]

Trailer connectors with grease are cheap and reliable. The other s have let me down too many times.

 

[sesmith]

Just a follow up. I ended up ordering one of the Aquasignal connectors from Defender. It is a seriously nice electrical connector. It's a made in Germany, solid locking, weatherproof, o-ring packed and gasketed connector rated at 250 v 16A per pin. Worth the price?? It is comparable in price to similar weather proof type military spec connectors, so I guess you get what you pay for. So I'll try it on one of my panels that had the issues with the existing connector. I can also see using one on the mast light wiring when that one fails again, as I know it eventually will. I seem to only get 1 or 2 years out of a Perko type connector and we are sailing mostly on fresh water! They never seem to fail when it's a convenient time to fix them.

 

[Maine Sail]

I have used the Deltran trolling motor plug a few times and it is one of the best I have seen for solar, far better than the Marinco type. Usually I just use a Scanstrut deck gland, round wire and MC-4's..

 

[sesmith]

Thanks. Both look like good options. That trolling motor plug is just what I was after. I did already get the Aquaseal connector and will probably use that for the first panel. When the existing plug on the second panel starts to look iffy, I'll revisit this again.

 

[jviss]

I think this is what you want for solar:

Available in male and female variants. About $7/ea.
https://www.gogreensolar.com/products/pv-cable-32-0056p0001-multi-contact-bulkhead-female-connector
https://www.gogreensolar.com/products/pv-cable-32-0055p0001-multi-contact-bulkhead-male-connector

 

[All U Get]

I think this is what you want for solar:

Available in male and female variants. About $7/ea.
https://www.gogreensolar.com/products/pv-cable-32-0056p0001-multi-contact-bulkhead-female-connector
https://www.gogreensolar.com/products/pv-cable-32-0055p0001-multi-contact-bulkhead-male-connector

Tried those for my solar hook-up, couldn't get the crimped end far enough into the plastic housing to connect male and female. Snipped them off after fussing for an hour and went with butt connectors. Not worth my time to learn how they work.

All U Get

 

[jviss]

Tried those for my solar hook-up, couldn't get the crimped end far enough into the plastic housing to connect male and female. Snipped them off after fussing for an hour and went with butt connectors. Not worth my time to learn how they work.

All U Get

Are you talking about MC4 connectors in general, or these bulkhead connectors?

I used MC4's for my solar connections, worked easily and beautifully!

Half Moon Solar Bimini Cable Entry

• jviss
• Sep 7, 2017

Half Moon Solar Bimini Close-up

• jviss
• Sep 7, 2017

 

[All U Get]

MC4's

 

[sesmith]

I think this is what you want for solar:

Available in male and female variants. About $7/ea.
https://www.gogreensolar.com/products/pv-cable-32-0056p0001-multi-contact-bulkhead-female-connector
https://www.gogreensolar.com/products/pv-cable-32-0055p0001-multi-contact-bulkhead-male-connector

Looks like another good choice. Thanks. Didn't realize you could get a feed thru version of an MC4.

 

[jviss]

MC4's

Maybe you had the wrong crimping tool, or defective connectors. Mine went together like a breeze.