I screwed up my solar, so it was time to fix it.

[deltabravo]

EDIT:

The video I posted this morning was all screwed up. I previewed it prior to doing the export, but the clips got overlapped and it was messed up. I must have fat fingered something on the keyboard between the preview and export.

I saw the problem tonight. I deleted the video and am re-working it right now.

New video:

Solar wiring repair

[time2roll]

I use step-down crimp butt connectors to make a permanent continuous sealed connection. Or just use MC4 parallel connectors.
Box would be to just keep the water out of the RV.



https://www.waytekwire.com/products

For a bus I would need at least 3+ panels to risk that.
My panels are actually in series with all MC4 connectors.

Anyway good to see all is back in good shape.

[deltabravo]

New video:


Solar wiring repair

[deltabravo]

Almot wrote:
This is why I don't like J-boxes.

You could wire panels in series with MPPT controller and scrap the J-box, though you would still need some fitting for #10 cable through the roof (if there is no fridge vent on the roof).

Yep, no roof fridge vent. Fridge is in the slide, so it has a wall fridge vent, seen at the beginning of the video as I walk by the slide.

The J-box serves as a weather tight termination point over the hole in the roof, where the installer removed the cheap factory roof connector (which had undersized wire). Well, it was weather tight until I monkeyed with it two years or so ago.

The camper spends most of its time under cover, so what water did get in the box was never enough to get in to the ceiling.

[deltabravo]

Almot wrote:
He needs Silicon dielectric grease on terminal screws.

Yep. I will do that next time I'm up on the roof.

[deltabravo]

Yeti plus wrote:
Since you have to wait to seal the j box, I would back the terminal screws out and apply the anti oxidant to them as well.

Good idea. Thanks for the tip.

[deltabravo]

Almot wrote:
Was it one of those expensive boxes from AM Solar?

Yes.

[Almot]

He needs Silicon dielectric grease on terminal screws.

[Yeti_plus]

Since you have to wait to seal the j box, I would back the terminal screws out and apply the anti oxidant to them as well. That way if you ever have to work on the terminals again they may be able to be removed without breaking screwdriver bits.

[Almot]

This is why I don't like J-boxes.

You could wire panels in series with MPPT controller and scrap the J-box, though you would still need some fitting for #10 cable through the roof (if there is no fridge vent on the roof).

Was it one of those expensive boxes from AM Solar?