Today, I’m showing you the wiring from our solar panels to our solar combiner box (electrical junction box) using MC4 connectors and busbars on our RV solar power system.
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Do you not have any issues with running the solar panels through the regular blade fuses? I have somewhere between 30-40 volts coming from the 280 watt panels at 9 amps. Would there be an issue with using blade fuses?
I feel like you made a mistake in your video. You said too small of wires would limit the electricity you receive from your solar panels. And while increased resistance from using too small of wires is a source of loss, more importantly the increased resistance causes heat and could melt your cables even causing a fire. (The reason for the fuses)
the positive wire coming in from the solar requires a fuse only. I never seen anyone fuse every panel.
if you going stick your figures down their take of your ring so u dont ground your self and disconnect the solar pannel out
Not to be a downer but please don't tape down your combiner box and bus bars. If they detach they could create a fire hazard. Also, the combiner box maybe weatherproof but if you have a huge PVC pipe with a hole in it, it's not.
Did you consider using blocking diodes to isolate each panel from back flow should their output be unequal, like from partial shade?
Question on the Roof top wires. I'm planing on installing a Solar panel array on my Class C. Going with 3 100 watt panels (12 Volt) Keeping it simple, using a 12 Vdc 30 amp Dual 12 Vdc output (House & Main battery feed). I love your VHB tape Idea instead of drilling into Aluminum, but what did you do or how did you secure the wires and conduit to the roof of your camper? I'm assuming that your wires are not just flapping in the wind – are they? Normally you would install anchors every 18 to 24 inches (Holes in the roof), did you use VHB tape with Cable Tie Mounts & zip ties? I was also thinking of instead of the 1/2 flex tube that you used maybe using a U-Shaped Aluminum Channels (3' L x 3/4" W x 3/8" H) with end caps and connecting fittings. If you had to change out you Flex tube would you go back to it or maybe rethink to something like a U-shaped wire channel? Great Videos by the way, to the point and not a lot of fluff. Thanks Nick
I just have one question… what Awg wire is running out of the combination box???
Have you had any issues with the wire nuts working loose? Just wondering why you chose those versus crimped butt connectors.
Michael, thanks for being so upfront and transparent. I am trying to gather ideas for my off-grid shed. This is helpful.
How have electricians reacted to the wire nuts? I thought DC power was usually connected in a more permanent manner (e.g., soldered crimp connectors, perhaps.)
Looking at the way your shadow was showing on the back of your panels; it seems to indicate your panels are pointed the wrong way.
Great Videos' btw..;)
What gauge wire comes off of the solar panel? What gauge goes from the combiner box to the MPPT Charge controller? How many feet of wire from combiner box to the MPPT CC?
Thanks buddy for this informative video. I've got one question though, what is the main difference between "Junction box" and "Combiner box"?? or we can just use them interchangeably !!!
What size fuse did you use in each fuse connector?
I appreciate what wizardorlegend said about safety issues: " wizardorlegend
wizardorlegend
3 months ago
That is a good idea way cheaper than the the 6 x mc4 splitters you would need. I do like the fact each panel is fused as well.
I hope you don’t mind me saying tho please consider putting some tape or some sort of insulation around that metal nut on that pipe your using as a cable gland and putting some sort of fixed divider down the middle of the box in case the tape fails and the bus bars become loose and contact each other (or that nut) on a bumpy road." Would a nut wire alleviate the potential hazard? If not, how would I tape them? Use that black tape on each end? What do you mean by gland, the end that comes out of the PVC? How would that be insulated? Or whichever end needs to be insulated, at each point, in fact? How and what would I use? Thanks.
Thank you so much! I have been trying to locate ANYONE on YT who shows this particular information, and not only did you show it, but you explained it so well. I literally have been trying for weeks for this information… I am so grateful! I did not even know what a "junction box" was , what it was used for, nor how to use it if I knew the first two questions (now answers). So, quick question. For the compartment box, what height did you use, and would it be used for standard panels? Thanks again for this video. It is awesome!
Your videos are the easiest to comprehend that I have found on YT, Im even starting to think I could do this myself they are so good 🙂
Fire nuts
Such a great work ,this channel it has a wonderful and rich content .. Great job
I appreciate your videos. The information you share has helped me a lot
uggg, ive now watched 140 of ur vids and still havent got ur solar power build in full… im done looking ….
That is a good idea way cheaper than the the 6 x mc4 splitters you would need. I do like the fact each panel is fused as well.
I hope you don’t mind me saying tho please consider putting some tape or some sort of insulation around that metal nut on that pipe your using as a cable gland and putting some sort of fixed divider down the middle of the box in case the tape fails and the bus bars become loose and contact each other (or that nut) on a bumpy road.
I’ve watched a lot of solar install video’s some I’ve seen you pray that no one takes notice of as they are down right dangerous, but I do think your videos on the subject are some of the best I’ve seen and look extremely professional.
LOVE yr vids. Hi from New Zealand
Question: Having fuses on the top of the rv in inconvenient? I understand the need for fusing but why don’t you combine at the top of the rv and fuse near the MPPT controller?
Keep em coming. Very informative .
This is for sure, absolutely, by far the best combiner box wiring video I have watched . Thank you….
Here's My e-mail dave_gurrola@aol.com
Merry Christmas y’all from your fellow Class C’ers Johnny and Lillie!!
boss, Thanks for the video. its really help me a lot, anyway what is the size of of your wire from busbar to Mppt charge controller? hope you will have some videos about your lightning protection or grounding, happy holidays!
What happened to the closed captions?
Seasons Greetings to you both. I hope you have a wonderful Xmas, and stay in one place for a few days so that Santa can find you lol. I have enjoyed watching your journey since the beginning and look forward to even more videos in the New Year. Thanks for sharing.
Love these videos guys! Now you are going to have to write a book to put all this information in too! 🙂 Happy Holidays! Hope you get to spend all of it with friends and family!
I have a 1987 bounder 34 ft it doesn't have anything up date everthing from the 80s I want to put solar panels how many should I put
I want to say thankyou for helping me with the valve stems on the dually wheels I bought them on amazon
When are you going to get on the road again?
Awesome Vid!! Did you use a 30 Amp fuse for each incoming solar panel?