which type of solar panel cable and connectors please ?

[zambant]

I'm about to install 2 x 50W solar panels and an mppt controller.

I just don't know whether to use the industry standard mc4 connectors and industry standard 4mm cable ( as supplied on the panel wires) , hard wire it together with soldered and waterproofed joints, use marine tinned cable, some other type of connectors and cable.......
Anyone have experience and can recommend please??
Many thanks
John

 

[DannyB]

I used MC4s and standard 4mm cable for a 100watt panel. Strictly speaking 4mm is way oversized for a maximum of 8Amp, but the cable run was about 8 meters between panel and MPPT and I wanted to minimise cable losses.

 

[NormanS]

MC4 connectors seem to be the industry standard for PV panels. Why re-invent the wheel?

 

[Lon nan Gruagach]

Mc4:
plus:
small
standard
requires tool to disconnect
weatherproof

minus:
not waterproof
no physical prevention of wrong connection (reverse polarity or short circuit)

 

[NormanS]

Not sure how you would connect them up wrongly, since standard panels come with F +ve fitting on the positive lead from the panel. ( And M -ve on negative lead). Not sure either about nitpicking about "weatherproof" and "waterproof". They are quite happy being installed on house roofs.

 

[Lon nan Gruagach]

Not sure how you would connect them up wrongly, since standard panels come with F +ve fitting on the positive lead from the panel. ( And M -ve on negative lead)

so you can short circuit the panel, not a problem but not perfect

. Not sure either about nitpicking about "weatherproof" and "waterproof". They are quite happy being installed on house roofs.

The difference is rain spray vs being dunked.