I'm building a solar system on our TT. I am going to buy my own MC4 connectors, crimpers, etc, and build my own custom length cables for connecting the roof solar panels to the roof combiner box. I'm having trouble finding quality 10 gauge UV-resistant cooper (not copper clad aluminum) cable designed to attach MC4 connectors to, in say 50 ft lengths (or where it can be ordered by the foot). Anyone have good source(s) to recommend for this? Sometimes I find some cable that looks good initially, but then find one or more reviews that state that the cable they received was 12 gauge, not 10 gauge.Another question -- I'm finding both 19 strand and 7 strand cables -- what are the pros and cons of each (I presume that 19 strand is more flexible), and which is designed to work well with MC4 connectors? Thanks for any input!

14 years ago when I installed my panels I used marine grade 10 ga from West Marine. As I learned more over the years I would use 8 ga next installation.The store I used had all the tools and connectors for DIY build use in the store.

I did a lot of boat work before the depression and still do some. I have several regular suppliers for cable and both are less expensive than waste marine. http://www.genuinedealz.com/https://theelectricaldepot.com/https://www.delcity.net/Be sure to shop all three as copper prices are variable. Matt

I bought mine from these guys. They also sell on eBay. If you want two wire duplex solar cable that is round, check out AM Solar.

Here is a thread about the IQ test part of those MC4s in case you run into that. No second chances with the little internal grabbers. Can't pull it out again. The photos are gone with tinypic, sorry.There are a number of different MC4s on panels where some are one piece and some do unscrew, so first see what is on your panels.I thought my panel pigtails were cu-al, but after guys on here said to check, I scraped the strands and it was tinned cu. Hard to tell with the silky thin strands.I used #8 cu onto the panel pigtails. Yes, Amazon, etc have much better pricing that I paid for my MC4s, but I only needed a few so no problem. Don't know about wire sourcing.You have to start at page 1 after going herehttps://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29910358/gotomsg/29910840.cfm#29910840

Recommend this place for high quality solar materials:AM Solar

Need Good Sources for Quality Bulk Solar Cable | Good Sam Community

S_Davis
Explorer
Dec 29, 2019
Here is a good source for DLO cable.

https://skycraftsurplus.com/10-awg-dlo-2-kv-black-blk-10-awg-rp5386.html
Mike_Poorman
Explorer
Dec 29, 2019
crcr wrote:
I'm building a solar system on our TT. I am going to buy my own MC4 connectors, crimpers, etc, and build my own custom length cables for connecting the roof solar panels to the roof combiner box.

I'm having trouble finding quality 10 gauge UV-resistant cooper (not copper clad aluminum) cable designed to attach MC4 connectors to, in say 50 ft lengths (or where it can be ordered by the foot). Anyone have good source(s) to recommend for this? Sometimes I find some cable that looks good initially, but then find one or more reviews that state that the cable they received was 12 gauge, not 10 gauge.

Another question -- I'm finding both 19 strand and 7 strand cables -- what are the pros and cons of each (I presume that 19 strand is more flexible), and which is designed to work well with MC4 connectors?

Thanks for any input!

If you have not yet found a source for the wire, check a welding supply store.

When I was looking into solar on another trailer I looked into getting the needed cabling and noticed that the welding supply store had all of the different gauges to make it work.

On top of that the cables will be much more flexible and easier to work with.
BFL13
Explorer II
Dec 29, 2019
Good info. I use this when on sale for half price a few times a year. ($15 instead of $30) Comes in red or black.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/8-gauge-25-ft-black-primary-wire/A-p8826612e
crcr
Explorer
Dec 28, 2019
OP here. Follow-up: I thought I should share this. I ordered and received the wire in the link below, which was suggested in this thread, and after careful inspection, ended up returning it. The ebay listing states that it is copper AND, there is a prominent close-up pic of the end of a wire stripped, and it appears to be copper.

When I received the roll of wire, I stripped some insulation off the end, and the wire was silver color. I thought maybe it is just tinned copper, so I scraped away a bit on the strands and I also clean cut the end, and inspected the wire under well-lighted magnification. There is some copper, and it might even be tinned copper, don't know, but if yes, the coating is not thin at all. Bottom line, per the listing and pic, I expected 100% copper or very close to it. But the percent of copper is clearly significantly lower than that.

The insulation is quite thick and I really liked the light color (it's a cream color) for an RV roof. But due to the copper content issue, I returned it for a refund and bought a different product that did turn out to be 100% copper. Thanks again to everyone who responded to this thread!

ML Solar, ebay
crcr
Explorer
Dec 14, 2019
Vintage465 wrote:
pauldub wrote:
I bought mine from these guys. They also sell on eBay. If you want two wire duplex solar cable that is round, check out AM Solar.

The round 10ga duplex from A.M. Solar is premium stuff. UV rated jacket too.

Thanks. Actually, I already ordered the 100 ft length of white cable in your ebay link earlier today. Looks like nice cable. We live in the SW desert and our TT sits in the sun in front of our house, so since it gets so hot here, my preference was white cable. Insulation looks thick in the image, which is generally good, but I wonder if it might be difficult to get MC4 connectors on it due to the apparently thick insulation.
Vintage465
Nomad
Dec 13, 2019
pauldub wrote:
I bought mine from these guys. They also sell on eBay. If you want two wire duplex solar cable that is round, check out AM Solar.

The round 10ga duplex from A.M. Solar is premium stuff. UV rated jacket too.
deltabravo
Nomad
Dec 10, 2019
free radical wrote:
Try this guy
DYI Solar with Will Prowse channel on YT

Here's a really good video to watch
2oldman
Explorer II
Dec 09, 2019
I used a standard extension cord and slathered Heng's rubber roof coating on it. Many solar cables are not as flexible.
free_radical
Explorer
Dec 07, 2019
Try this guy
DYI Solar with Will Prowse channel on YT
C_Schomer
Explorer
Dec 07, 2019
Yes, pvc conduit from the j box to panels. The pvc stops a few inches under each panel. Not worried about sun damage to the wiring that's shaded and it's easy to pull the wires with those ends being open. Very easy job and it looks very nice. Craig

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