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Started by gnies, April 21, 2016, 07:51:52 PM

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gnies

How can I make my own cable extension ? Most solar extension I see on ebay have a really expensive shipping. I was wondering what kind of cable I need and where to find the proper connector. The ones I see on ebay have MC4 connector on them but my panel has this type of connector but I have a hard time to find them





david

What kind of connectors do the panel and the controller have? If it is the ubiquitous MC-4 connectors then extension cables are available. See http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Panel-Extension-Cable-Connectors/dp/B00KDNQQRK/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1461800200&sr=8-10&keywords=mc-4+cables. You will need two.

David
David M

16TBS towed with a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder

charliem

[font size="3"]Do the wires terminate in screw terminals on the charger? If so, just remove them and make you own cables. I'd recommend some two conductor #10AWG flexible cable and any two conductor polarized connector rated at 15A or more. There's nothing magic about MC4 connectors except the expense. You might make the cable from the panels to the controller in two 25' segments for convenience and versatility. The controller should be connected to the battery with a
short length of cable.

DAVID: Jump in here. I'm out of my experience area with solar.
[/font]
Any 20 minute job can be stretched
to a week with proper planning

Charlie
NW Florida

gnies

[quote timestamp="1461800377" source="/post/20843/thread" author="@david"]What kind of connectors do the panel and the controller have? If it is the ubiquitous MC-4 connectors then extension cables are available. See http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Panel-Extension-Cable-Connectors/dp/B00KDNQQRK/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1461800200&sr=8-10&keywords=mc-4+cables. You will need two.

David[/quote]They are the same as the picture I posted above I am not sure of the name but it's not MC-4

david

[p]Paul:

Your post crossed mine. Those are not MC-4 connectors as you can see from looking at the Amazon link on my previous post.

Actually I like the connectors on your controller better. They are typically used on Battery Tender chargers. You can buy a 25' extension set (both pos and neg) here for $14 for 25': http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-081-0148-25-Disconnect-Extension/dp/B000FW2MWW/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1461800795&sr=8-15&keywords=dc+quick+disconnect

The wire gauge is a bit light, the one on my charger at home look like about 16 gauge. That will result in a 1.7 volt drop over 50' which is a bit much. It will result in the voltage at your controller being too low to charge effectively. You need to keep the voltage drop down to about 0.5 volts.

So you could buy these: http://www.amazon.com/CES-Gauge-Quick-Disconnect-Harness/dp/B0057ZQJ12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461800735&sr=8-1&keywords=dc+polarized+connectors

Cut them in half and crimp them on 50' of 12 gauge cable that you can buy locally.

But can you get Amazon shipments where you are located?[/p][p]
[/p][p]BTW, the Coleman controller in your picture is almost assuredly not water proof. So you will have to keep it in an enclosure.

David[/p]
David M

16TBS towed with a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder

gnies

Quote from: @david" source="/post/20848/thread" timestamp="1461801573Paul:

Your post crossed mine. Those are not MC-4 connectors as you can see from looking at the Amazon link on my previous post.

Actually I like the connectors on your controller better. They are typically used on Battery Tender chargers. You can buy a 25' extension set (both pos and neg) here for $14 for 25': http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-081-0148-25-Disconnect-Extension/dp/B000FW2MWW/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1461800795&sr=8-15&keywords=dc+quick+disconnect

The wire gauge is a bit light, the one on my charger at home look like about 16 gauge. That will result in a 1.7 volt drop over 50' which is a bit much. It will result in the voltage at your controller being too low to charge effectively. You need to keep the voltage drop down to about 0.5 volts.

So you could buy these: http://www.amazon.com/CES-Gauge-Quick-Disconnect-Harness/dp/B0057ZQJ12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461800735&sr=8-1&keywords=dc+polarized+connectors

Cut them in half and crimp them on 50' of 12 gauge cable that you can buy locally.

But can you get Amazon shipments where you are located?

David
There is a Amazon Canada. I found the same on it for 21$ CAD  https://www.amazon.ca/CES-Gauge-Quick-Disconnect-Harness/dp/B0057ZQJ12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461801728&sr=8-1&keywords=CES+10+Gauge+2+Pin+Quick+Disconnect+Harness

the 50' 12 gauge do I just go to the hardware store a buy electric cable? Does it have to be a special kind or?  And how do I crimp them together I never did that


Thank you

david

Paul:

Buy a 50' roll of duplex (two conductors) stranded wire cable locally or on Amazon. Then buy some crimp connectors like these at your local auto parts store: http://www.amazon.com/AIRNIX-Yellow-Insulated-Electrical-Connectors/dp/B011A1F8TU/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1461802041&sr=8-15&keywords=butt+crimp+connector. The yellow ones are good for 10-12 gauge wire.

Use a crimp tool (purchased at your local auto parts store or online) like this: http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-3775-Electricians-Combination-Tool/dp/B000NPUK2A/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1461802121&sr=8-6&keywords=crimping+tool

Strip each lead back about 1/2", insert into the crimp connector and then smash it with the tool. It makes a very good connection for low voltage service. To make it more robust, wrap the two connectors in electrician's tape.

Google wire crimping and I am sure that you will find instructional videos on the subject.

David
David M

16TBS towed with a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder

gnies

[quote timestamp="1461802557" author="@david" source="/post/20850/thread"]Paul:

Buy a 50' roll of duplex (two conductors) stranded wire cable locally or on Amazon. Then buy some crimp connectors like these at your local auto parts store: http://www.amazon.com/AIRNIX-Yellow-Insulated-Electrical-Connectors/dp/B011A1F8TU/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1461802041&sr=8-15&keywords=butt+crimp+connector. The yellow ones are good for 10-12 gauge wire.

Use a crimp tool (purchased at your local auto parts store or online) like this: http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-3775-Electricians-Combination-Tool/dp/B000NPUK2A/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1461802121&sr=8-6&keywords=crimping+tool

Strip each lead back about 1/2", insert into the crimp connector and then smash it with the tool. It makes a very good connection for low voltage service. To make it more robust, wrap the two connectors in electrician's tape.

Google wire crimping and I am sure that you will find instructional videos on the subject.

David[/quote]Thank you for your advice! I will go to my local store and try to find the tools and cable!

gnies


charliem

[font size="3"]Paul,

I would NOT recommend this wire because it is "copper clad", not pure copper. The wire is probably aluminum which is electrically equivalent to 12-14 AWG copper. This is a trick the marketeers use to fool you into thinking you're getting #10 copper. Otherwise, even though it's called "speaker wire" it looks adequate for 12V power systems. I would look for #10 100% copper.

That said, I'm appalled at the prices you Canadians have to pay. That roll of wire is available in the states from Amazon for 16USD and free shipping if you're an Amazon Prime member. And $22 CD to ship it over the huge boarder wall we built? You need to come south for a vacation, Paul.
[/font]
Any 20 minute job can be stretched
to a week with proper planning

Charlie
NW Florida

gnies

[quote timestamp="1461857994" author="@charliem" source="/post/20861/thread"][font size="3"]Paul,

I would NOT recommend this wire because it is "copper clad", not pure copper. The wire is probably aluminum which is electrically equivalent to 12-14 AWG copper. This is a trick the marketeers use to fool you into thinking you're getting #10 copper. Otherwise, even though it's called "speaker wire" it looks adequate for 12V power systems. I would look for #10 100% copper.

That said, I'm appalled at the prices you Canadians have to pay. That roll of wire is available in the states from Amazon for 16USD and free shipping if you're an Amazon Prime member. And $22 CD to ship it over the huge boarder wall we built? You need to come south for a vacation, Paul.
[/font][/quote]Thank you for the advice. Yes I know everything is so expensive over here, and the shipping is really high when you order online and right now our currency is really low compared to USD which make it even more expensive! I think I will try to find some cable at a local store because of the shipping price

charliem

[font size="3"]I would think you could find some two conductor #10 stranded copper wire, rated for outdoor service, locally. Maybe at a hardware or home improvement store. They must exist even in the French part of Canada  ;)  .
[/font]
Any 20 minute job can be stretched
to a week with proper planning

Charlie
NW Florida

charliem

Any 20 minute job can be stretched
to a week with proper planning

Charlie
NW Florida

mitch

If nothing else buy a heavy duty extension cord cut off the ends and use only 2 of the wires.
Mitch
2013 13QBB
2015 Ford F-150
Anderson 3324 WDH

peislander

Paul - Here in PEI at least, I've found marine equipment stores to be a good source for cables. In contrast the building supply stores just have the usual stuff used for wiring houses. So check out your local marine equipment store. You should be able to buy it buy the foot and get just the amount you need. (Remember - Less is more and rust never sleeps).