MC4 IP65 connectors

[rokj]

Hi,

I bought solar panel which has Tyco (solarlok?) MC4 IP65 connectors and I am having a hard time finding those connectors in Europe (or US) so I can connect solar panel to charge controller.

Anyone knows some shop/website where I could buy those connectors?

Also what are the differences between IP65 and IP67? Which are better? Should I cut IP65 connectors and just buy IP67 (but will void warranty probably)?

Regards,

Rok

[Mike90250]

IF you just have one panel for testing, and are NOT connecting it to your household electric, I'd take the risk and cut the connector off, and the heck with the warranty. Your mileage may vary.

The MC4 connector was designed for one time connection (it's locking) for exposed 600 - 1,000VDC rooftop wire. A real pain to work with.

Another idea, is to get an MC4 extender cable, cut it in half, and use that to adapt the leads.

[rokj]

IF you just have one panel for testing, and are NOT connecting it to your household electric, I'd take the risk and cut the connector off, and the heck with the warranty. Your mileage may vary.

The MC4 connector was designed for one time connection (it's locking) for exposed 600 - 1,000VDC rooftop wire. A real pain to work with.

Another idea, is to get an MC4 extender cable, cut it in half, and use that to adapt the leads.

I have bought one panel, however one panel I am doing myself, will finish it in a month (have all needed parts, already soldered tabs, ...) and then I would like to connect both of them and => charge controller.

As I searched little about it, I found out there are several types of connectors, MC4, Tyco SOLARLOK and others. I have BISOL BMO 239-251 Wp panel which has Tyco (IP 65) connectors 4mm, but do not know which connectors are the one to buy. I would like to have 5m extened cable connected to charge controller.

Probably something from this list http://www.solarhertz.com/en/Connect...SOLARLOK-Tyco/ would be suitable.

[Mike90250]

I have bought one panel, however one panel I am doing myself, will finish it in a month (have all needed parts, already soldered tabs, ...) and then I would like to connect both of them and => charge controller.

....

So, to connect panelS to a controller, you should :

if in series, the amps should match within 10% (the amps will be limited by the lowest amp panel)

If in parallel, the voltages should match within 10%. (voltage will be limited by the lowest votage panel)


The connectors won't matter much at this point, for only 2 panels. We've not heard much good, long term feedback from DIY panels.

[inetdog]

The connectors won't matter much at this point, for only 2 panels. We've not heard much good, long term feedback from DIY panels.

MC4 Connectors, and in particular the ones installed on commercial panels for grid-tie use, are intended to make it (relatively) easy and safe to connect up a high-voltage SERIAL string of panels. To do a parallel string you can use cut off extension cables to bring each end down to a bare wire for a terminal strip or you can buy ready-made 2-to-1 MC4 Y Adapters to make the parallel connections.

A DIYer's main motivation to use MC4 would be to drop the panels into an existing system or in an attempt to pass an inspection.