Cable from controller to solar panel via deck gland/ crimping mc4

[steve yates]

50wsemiflexible panel with two cables from junction box ending in mc4 connectors.

I want to run the cables from the controller thro a deckgland at the sode of the sliding hatch, and am wondering whatis the best soln for this?
Can I run two 2.5mm solar specific cables through one gland? Or would ordinary tinned 2.5mm twin core work, giving me a single cable through the gland, with possibly a better seal and then I crimpn on mc4 connectors at the outside end to mate with the panel ones? Can my ordinary crimpers coded for red blue and yellow do that job or is it a different tool?

12v planet have a 5m solar specific cable terminated in a male and a female mc4, one at either end. Could i cut that in the middle and just use the two halfs if crimping mc4’s requires a special tool?

 

[Stemar]

I used a something like this, sealing the cable entry with sealant. It worked fine.

Do get one that can't be put in the wrong way round, or it WILL happen sooner or later.

 

[PaulRainbow]

50wsemiflexible panel with two cables from junction box ending in mc4 connectors.

I want to run the cables from the controller thro a deckgland at the sode of the sliding hatch, and am wondering whatis the best soln for this?
Can I run two 2.5mm solar specific cables through one gland? Or would ordinary tinned 2.5mm twin core work, giving me a single cable through the gland, with possibly a better seal and then I crimpn on mc4 connectors at the outside end to mate with the panel ones? Can my ordinary crimpers coded for red blue and yellow do that job or is it a different tool?

12v planet have a 5m solar specific cable terminated in a male and a female mc4, one at either end. Could i cut that in the middle and just use the two halfs if crimping mc4’s requires a special tool?

No need for "special" cable or MC4 connectors Steve.

Put the two cables from the panel through one of these: 12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

Join inside with crimps to an pair or normal 2.5mm wires. Your normal crimper should be fine to do this, cover with heat shrink.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

...if crimping mc4’s requires a special tool?

It does, but they are pretty cheap...

Hand Crimping Tool Pliers Compatible with MC4 PV Solar Cable Crimper LS-2546B | eBay

It's only the inserts that are different from a standard ratchet crimping tool, but I couldn't find just the inserts for sale at a price less than the complete tool.

The MC4 connectors themselves are cheap enough. Instead of buying ready made cables with connectors it's cheaper to buy the tool, the connectors and the cable and make them up yourself.

 

[Andrew_Fitton]

Many years ago I was on a RYA practical course on a vessel getting ready for a night passage. I plugged the search lamp into the nearby socket, looked just like the one in the picture. When the lamp was switched on , the electric anchor winch operated. It was the wrong socket. Don't get them mixed up.

 

[ctva]

I used a Scanstrut deck gland which allows multiple cables through a single gland, just drill as required.

 

[Graham376]

No need for "special" cable or MC4 connectors Steve.
Put the two cables from the panel through one of these: 12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine
Join inside with crimps to an pair or normal 2.5mm wires. Your normal crimper should be fine to do this, cover with heat shrink.

I'm not a fan on MC4 connectors, having had poor connections on them. I inherited an (expensive) Index Marine rectangular deck gland so that copes with four solar cables plus ones for gps mushrooms and stern light, Below deck, Wago or block connectors work fine. Index Marine Waterproof Cable Gland Gael Force Marine

 

[PaulRainbow]

I'm not a fan on MC4 connectors, having had poor connections on them. I inherited an (expensive) Index Marine rectangular deck gland so that copes with four solar cables plus ones for gps mushrooms and stern light, Below deck, Wago or block connectors work fine. Index Marine Waterproof Cable Gland Gael Force Marine

I'm also not a fan of MC4 connectors Graham. Those rectangular deck glands are OK.

 

[steve yates]

So, just to mox it up a bit, I’m wondering now of I can get away without deckglands etc completely.

Having put the panel on, I,ve realised I could possibly run the solar cables under the hatch, as ot is cut away at the corners and the cables fit even when closed. I would need to secure them where they come under, and figure out the best way to meet them with cable from the controller and leave enoug loop to allow the hatch to travel back and forth without it getting in the way below. Any bright ideas anyone?

 

[steve yates]

To answer my own question, in case this comes up in a future search, I think I have an answer.
This is how it looks from inside the hatch


Length of hatch is 65cm. Im going to cut the mc4 connector off, fix the cable up under the hatch at the cutaway corner and drill through roughly where the connector is, and put the end of the cable just through there.
I will run a cable from the controller to this point and join them with a butt connector joint or maybe a bullet connector so they can be detached. I'll fix the cable to a point by the drilled hole on the inside of the hatch, so I should have roughly 30 cm loop of cable that travels back and forth as the hatch opens and closes, and it should lie relatively flat to the side but if not i'll put a wee hook at front and back and it can be hooked out of the way when open or closed if it is dangling. I'll do the exact same for the other cable on the other side of the hatch. That should keep the cables out of the way but running freely, with no deck fixtures to catch lines or stumble on, hopefully. I'll post a pic when done if it works