I have 4-Canadian SC6P-220w Panels with the following spec's,Pmax=220WVoc =36.60VISC =8.09AVMP =29.30VImp =7.52AVoc-coef =0.1281V/CNoct =45.00C15A fuse rating/seriesPer actual measurement of the roof/dimensions, the farest run of the panel cables (10ga/MC4 connectors) will be 15/20' max into the area where the controller, a Tristar-MPPT-60a,w/ battery temp gage will be mounted.Should I run all 8 cables (4 panels) down the reefer vent area into the electrical bay and tie them into a neg/pos buss bars, then run WHAT sized wire to the controller??Is there a better/easier way, to route all these panel wires?I am taking this in small steps, so I can understand it.Tia,Don

Are they going to be wired in series or parallel or a mixture of both (say 2 pair in series, that pair wired in parallel to the other pair)??

Per info from the MS string calcuator for my panels,(if I entered the correct info) the panels will be 2 panels in series and 2 strings in parallel.Tia,Don

So you should end up with 4 cables at 70+ volts. Sounds like a nice system have fun!

I would use a rooftop combiner box and use one run of two wires down to the controller. Even if you chose to run all eight or four down to the controller, they will have to be ganged either on a bus, at the controller's terminals, or at a common interrupter before the controller. By using a combiner box you'll have the opportunity of less wire loss and can use a manual circuit breaker before the controller. The latter makes it easy to remove power from the modules to the controller and rest of the system when working on the 12V system. I made my own combiner box and I should make them for the market since the solar folks want a pretty fair amount for them. They are just a weatherproof box with bus terminals inside.

nvreloader wrote:Per info from the MS string calcuator for my panels,(if I entered the correct info) the panels will be 2 panels in series and 2 strings in parallel.Tia,DonThe calculator is right - 4 in series would exceed the controller VOC.You won't gain much using a combiner on the roof and is likely not worth the extra work. Just run the 4 wires to a disconnect and controller. Leave the roof panel connectors disconnected until all wiring is complete. Be safe with 70V.

Best Way?? | Good Sam Community

44 Replies

westend
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
I would use a rooftop combiner box and use one run of two wires down to the controller. Even if you chose to run all eight or four down to the controller, they will have to be ganged either on a bus, at the controller's terminals, or at a common interrupter before the controller.

By using a combiner box you'll have the opportunity of less wire loss and can use a manual circuit breaker before the controller. The latter makes it easy to remove power from the modules to the controller and rest of the system when working on the 12V system.

I made my own combiner box and I should make them for the market since the solar folks want a pretty fair amount for them. They are just a weatherproof box with bus terminals inside.
big_buford
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
So you should end up with 4 cables at 70+ volts. Sounds like a nice system have fun!
nvreloader
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
Per info from the MS string calcuator for my panels,(if I entered the correct info) the panels will be 2 panels in series and 2 strings in parallel.

Tia,
Don
mena661
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
Are they going to be wired in series or parallel or a mixture of both (say 2 pair in series, that pair wired in parallel to the other pair)??

Forum Discussion

Best Way??

44 Replies

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Dometic 2-Way fridge repair issues

Easy way to remove slide topper?

which way?

Replaced landing gears and switch. Switch extends both ways

Absorption fridge 2 way vs 3 way