New Solar Panel and MC4 Connectors

[rpwillia]

So our local Sea Scouts were doing training in the marina on docking and things went awry, but luckily my old solar panel was able to stop them. So, I ordered a new solar panel and the really great thing is the new one is 50w and it replaces the 15w with about the same area. Now the new one has MC4 Connectors with the Male one being the negative and the Female one being the positive. Am I correct in thinking that I need to run both of these back to my controller and hook them up to the terminal? The old panel just had two wires that were quite a bit smaller.

 

[dlochner]

You will want to size the wires to match current and distance. Also make sure the controller can handle the increased current.

MC4 connectors need a special crimping tool. It may be easier and cheaper to purchase pre made cables.

 

[rpwillia]

You will want to size the wires to match current and distance. Also make sure the controller can handle the increased current. MC4 connectors need a special crimping tool. It may be easier and cheaper to purchase pre made cables.

Actually the panel will be mounted on the stern and the controller is right there as well. It is a 50W panel and the controller can more than handle that. I see on Amazon I can get two cables with connectors on one end and the other bare so they look like they will work.

 

[Richard19068]

Actually the panel will be mounted on the stern and the controller is right there as well. It is a 50W panel and the controller can more than handle that. I see on Amazon I can get two cables with connectors on one end and the other bare so they look like they will work.

You probably know this but if you don't need to regularly connect and disconnect the panel you could just cut off the MC4 connectors and then use butt connectors and shrink tubing to splice in whatever size wire you need to get to the controller.

And just a note, I got a 10 AWG extension cable from Amazon. It's a good cable but it doesn't fit into Anchor 10-12 AWG butt connectors. It is too big. I had to pare down the insulation and wire a bit to get the extension cable to fit the butt connector. Next time I would get the 12AWG extension cable.

 

[Bob J.]

MC 4 connectors are real cheap & can be crimped without the need of the special tool. Ask me how I know this?
Save yourself some grief & just crimp them to your existing home run.

 

[rpwillia]

You probably know this but if you don't need to regularly connect and disconnect the panel you could just cut off the MC4 connectors and then use butt connectors and shrink tubing to splice in whatever size wire you need to get to the controller.

And just a note, I got this 10 AWG extension cable from Amazon. It's a good cable but it doesn't fit into Anchor 10-12 AWG butt connectors. It is too big. I had to pare down the insulation and wire a bit to get the extension cable to fit the butt connector. Next time I would get the 12AWG extension cable.

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Controller-Connector-Adaptor-Extension/dp/B00JH1PABW/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_rp_c_2_0_1/140-5502546-8135928?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00JH1PABW&pd_rd_r=9379008e-a02d-4161-917a-3227b0eeb3c8&pd_rd_w=vzU3S&pd_rd_wg=2lBOB&pf_rd_p=ea85cb41-868b-4aee-9344-f4ee71f19400&pf_rd_r=ASTBH9NT16MN0M6CPGDY&psc=1&refRID=ASTBH9NT16MN0M6CPGDY

Good to know, I did order the 12 ga ones.

 

[Hello Below]

And just a note, I got a 10 AWG extension cable from Amazon. It's a good cable but it doesn't fit into Anchor 10-12 AWG butt connectors. It is too big. I had to pare down the insulation and wire a bit to get the extension cable to fit the butt connector. Next time I would get the 12AWG extension cable

Depending on your cable run it maybe an idea to use 10 AWG primary wire. This will allow you to use standard butt connectors and not reduce the wire size.

 

[dlochner]

The "solar panel wire" may have thicker insulation because part of the run will be exposed to UV. A 50 watt panel will have very little current, perhaps 2 amps, the smaller wire size will probably be OK.

 

[Richard19068]

The "solar panel wire" may have thicker insulation because part of the run will be exposed to UV. A 50 watt panel will have very little current, perhaps 2 amps, the smaller wire size will probably be OK.

Correct on all counts. The 10 gauge was way overkill but for an extra $4 I thought why not. I just didn't know that Anchor's specs for 10 guage is smaller than most solar wire. Both for the actual wire diameter and the insulation.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

You probably know this but if you don't need to regularly connect and disconnect the panel you could just cut off the MC4 connectors and then use butt connectors and shrink tubing to splice in whatever size wire you need to get to the controller.

The MC4 connectors will probably be much more reliable over the long run, especially if exposed to the elements

 

[Tom J]

I'd stick with the M4 connectors and the 10 ga wire. Then, when you upgrade to, say, 320 watts, you will have your cable run in place!