Solar MC4 connectors - needed? Why?
I'm in the early planning stage of doing a solar install on our fiver. I see the MC4 connectors and combiners are commonly used, and I wonder why, and if there is a reason why I could not just solder...
Forum Discussion
This thread has wandered from my original question, but I'm good with that. I have benefited from all the comments.
This weekend I did a CAD layout of the roof and all the projections. Then today I made a template of the 24V x 60 cell panels. I can get 2 of them up there for sure. I could get a 3rd one forward of the most forward roof vent, but the roof curves down so sharply that I don't like that idea. Too much of a wind sail, and too visible from the street. Besides, 500w is so much more than I was looking for, I just don't see a need. We have learned to be very frugal with the DC juice, since we boondock almost exclusively.
In this view you can see how much arc there is on the bow. One of these panels would extend about 2/3 of the distance from the vent edge to the front cap seam. The 100w lay there pretty well, but not these big panels.
Our TV antenna is in an unfortunate location, and ruins a lot of available space. I don't think I am up for relocating that. But a panel does fit next to it on the right side.
Then there is space, barely, in front of the A/C unit. The shadow will be unfortunate at times I'm sure.
This weekend I did a CAD layout of the roof and all the projections. Then today I made a template of the 24V x 60 cell panels. I can get 2 of them up there for sure. I could get a 3rd one forward of the most forward roof vent, but the roof curves down so sharply that I don't like that idea. Too much of a wind sail, and too visible from the street. Besides, 500w is so much more than I was looking for, I just don't see a need. We have learned to be very frugal with the DC juice, since we boondock almost exclusively.
In this view you can see how much arc there is on the bow. One of these panels would extend about 2/3 of the distance from the vent edge to the front cap seam. The 100w lay there pretty well, but not these big panels.
Our TV antenna is in an unfortunate location, and ruins a lot of available space. I don't think I am up for relocating that. But a panel does fit next to it on the right side.
Then there is space, barely, in front of the A/C unit. The shadow will be unfortunate at times I'm sure.
