Wiring a Solar Combiner Box for an RV Solar Power System
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
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Today, I’m showing you the wiring from our solar panels to our solar combiner box (electrical junction box) using MC4 connectors and busbars on our RV solar power system.
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Hi! We are Michael + Jenny Justus. We post videos on our life of alternative + sustainable + healthy living. Our desire to live a more meaningful life led us to concoct a crazy plan: Downsize our belongings, ditch the "9-5," and move full-time into a solar-powered, self-sustainable tiny home on wheels with our two dogs, Chase + Roni. Taking this leap into the unknown has completely transformed our future, so be sure to hit that SUBSCRIBE button, join the Justus League, and follow along to see where the journey take us!
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Don't use vhb tape for the buss bars, if they unstick you will have a very bad day
I'm not an electrician like some of the other commenters, and I don't know squat about azimuth and tilt angle. I will say this: your video is absolutely the clearest and most helpful I have found on youtube. I've been searching how to actually take the wires from the panels to the inside charge controller, and haven't been able to find anything clear. Now I have. Thanks for an excellent video!
Isnt that combiner-box just a ticking time bomb? I mean the bus-bars are taped? If getting hot so the bars loosen than you got a 🔥
As a electrician there are many code violations
Not to be a downer but please don't tape down your combiner box and bus bars. If they detach they could create a fire hazard. Also, the combiner box maybe weatherproof but if you have a huge PVC pipe with a hole in it, it's not.
Where is the ground wire?
I feel like you made a mistake in your video. You said too small of wires would limit the electricity you receive from your solar panels. And while increased resistance from using too small of wires is a source of loss, more importantly the increased resistance causes heat and could melt your cables even causing a fire. (The reason for the fuses)
Fusing is only useful when wiring many panels in paralel, when using just one panel or in series the fuse will do nothing as full charge from panel is exactly the same current as when it is a short circuit meaning a fuse will never blow and do nothing for safety.
I appreciate what wizardorlegend said about safety issues: " wizardorlegend
wizardorlegend
3 months ago
That is a good idea way cheaper than the the 6 x mc4 splitters you would need. I do like the fact each panel is fused as well.
I hope you don’t mind me saying tho please consider putting some tape or some sort of insulation around that metal nut on that pipe your using as a cable gland and putting some sort of fixed divider down the middle of the box in case the tape fails and the bus bars become loose and contact each other (or that nut) on a bumpy road." Would a nut wire alleviate the potential hazard? If not, how would I tape them? Use that black tape on each end? What do you mean by gland, the end that comes out of the PVC? How would that be insulated? Or whichever end needs to be insulated, at each point, in fact? How and what would I use? Thanks.
Thank you so much! I have been trying to locate ANYONE on YT who shows this particular information, and not only did you show it, but you explained it so well. I literally have been trying for weeks for this information... I am so grateful! I did not even know what a "junction box" was , what it was used for, nor how to use it if I knew the first two questions (now answers). So, quick question. For the compartment box, what height did you use, and would it be used for standard panels? Thanks again for this video. It is awesome!
That combiner box is great idea. Especially the buss bars. That make adding more panels easier. 👍
Such a great work ,this channel it has a wonderful and rich content .. Great job
Don't the panels need inline fuses between the bus bar and panels? To avoid electricity taking the shortest path if one of the panels short-circuits? Trying to get my head around this and on my Eco-Worth 1360w 8 panel Kit, I now believe I need a 4-string combiner box with 15amp per string fuse and 60amp fuse/breaker to the solar controller. Pretty sure the KIT will just catch on fire if I follow the wiring diagram!
May I ask what’s the best size fuse for Rich 100W Solar panels 5.41A & the Isc 5.86A ! Any intell I thank you !
So here we are 2 yrs later... how is this holding up? In all about saving money by doing as much as possible by myself, and I already had some of these parts and pieces in my inventory of stuff. If I can spend a few more dollars and so this myself(which I can), and save myself $100+ dollars, then Yes!!!! My only worry is longevity... thanks again!
Thanks buddy for this informative video. I've got one question though, what is the main difference between "Junction box" and "Combiner box"?? or we can just use them interchangeably !!!
Good day.. what are amps/ or wattage of every fuse in the positive side..? Hermie from Philippines..
I don't know much, but I do know that you ought not connect/disconnect your panels under load. You really want to have a breaker or a switch between your panels and your charge controller (s).
I’m using 10 gauge solar wire 100W Panels 5.41A
Pvc pieces... exposed to sun ...they get brittle & break... paint them, & or cover them folks !
This is for parallel connection.. So how about using fuse for series connections..
HI GUY I JUST BOUGHT MY SELF 2 SOLAR PANELS SANOY PHOTOVOLTAIC MODEL HIP 175CA2- SCI MAXIMUM POWER VOLTAGE 52.8 175 WATTS
Awesome set up..This is how im gonna do mine too..love it and its simple to follow and much more safe. Thank you
boss, Thanks for the video. its really help me a lot, anyway what is the size of of your wire from busbar to Mppt charge controller? hope you will have some videos about your lightning protection or grounding, happy holidays!
We have 4 gauge wires from the combiner box to the charge controller but make sure to calculate your distance an amperage 👍🏼
So are you for hire for full install? As much as I would like to comprehend, this old gal still has trouble besides physically I am a mess. I am sure you are helping others very much! Love your channel
Haha. I am considering doing that if people need the help. Thanks so much for the great comment!
Michael, thanks for being so upfront and transparent. I am trying to gather ideas for my off-grid shed. This is helpful.
How have electricians reacted to the wire nuts? I thought DC power was usually connected in a more permanent manner (e.g., soldered crimp connectors, perhaps.)
Why didn't you take full advantage of your MPPT controller by wiring at least two panels in series. Then the current running from the combiner box to the charge controller is less (higher voltage, lower current = less resistive loss). Concerned about shading? Just curious.
Richard M Richard I’m going to be doing that too. No judgement I’m not sure what his goals are with his charge controller. I do see and will see how much less expensive it is to bring 24vdc down from my roof on a #6 wire vs 12vdc on a #2 just in the cost of the wire and connectors.
It is definitely shading issues forcing me to wire in parallel. Depending on the roof space and where you park some people may be able to get away with it. Great question.
There are y connectors that combine 4 wires into 1 so u wouldn’t need the box. They have 4 mc4 connectors on one side and one on the other
When you are connecting panels in parallel, like here, you should fuse each one of them, so that cable doesn't work for this situation (this is not needed when the panels are connected in series)
This is for sure, absolutely, by far the best combiner box wiring video I have watched . Thank you....
You’re absolutely welcome 👍🏼 Thanks for watching and for giving us the awesome feedback 😊
You should check azimuth and tilt angle
Why are Gingers always Hot and smart?
Question: Having fuses on the top of the rv in inconvenient? I understand the need for fusing but why don’t you combine at the top of the rv and fuse near the MPPT controller?
Looking back I would do exactly what you're saying. As the saying goes, #hindsightis2020 😀
But then you would not have gotten to fuse each panel independently
What size fuse did you use independently per panel . Have they popped yet , because of least resistance or no diode?
Great video. Thanks!
You did a great job. Thanks for the video.
Your videos are the easiest to comprehend that I have found on YT, Im even starting to think I could do this myself they are so good :)
I appreciate your videos. The information you share has helped me a lot
Great idea
ThAt tape is a bad idea for anything electrical and any longer than a bank holi weekend. Bad info.
I agree. I will definitely do it more professionally next time. This is youth and inexperience right here and I can fully admit that. 😎 Thanks for watching!
Are these panels all wired in parallel?
I have a 1987 bounder 34 ft it doesn't have anything up date everthing from the 80s I want to put solar panels how many should I put
Good question. I cover this topic in this video (th-cam.com/video/bFCYcCx9yvo/w-d-xo.html). Hope this helps 👍🏼
Fire nuts
Seasons Greetings to you both. I hope you have a wonderful Xmas, and stay in one place for a few days so that Santa can find you lol. I have enjoyed watching your journey since the beginning and look forward to even more videos in the New Year. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Bill. 2018 is going to be a great year! Thanks for being such a loyal supporter and for all of your encouragement. It means the world 🙏🏼 Jenny and I are wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas 🎄🎁😊
Love these videos guys! Now you are going to have to write a book to put all this information in too! :) Happy Holidays! Hope you get to spend all of it with friends and family!
Thank you! We’re wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas as well :-)
Do you not have any issues with running the solar panels through the regular blade fuses? I have somewhere between 30-40 volts coming from the 280 watt panels at 9 amps. Would there be an issue with using blade fuses?
The problem with wire size and parallel connections is voltage loss. A 15% cable voltage loss of (2.5mm cable for 2metres with 50A) on a 12v system can be disastrous on a dull day as it could fail to have enough voltage to charge. If you wired in series you'd have a 1% cable voltage loss , so cheaper (thinner) cables can be used and more Watts output especially on a dull day. The downside is a more expensive mppt controller rather than pwm.
This is the best video that helps me fix my problem. It is also the most inexpensive option and it is easy to apply since I'm already area of those wire fuses, which I used for my inverter. And since this time, I have never ever blown out a fuse on the inverter side.
Anyway, as it stands, I'm running a 3 system setup (I have my reasons). But I'm on difference size of of my 5 acre land. But as of now as in the past, I have connected everything to the controller box. And before that, to the battery. But as my panels grows from three to 8 and soon 12, just tying together just does not make sense anymore. So I wanted to see what could be done. I knew about the 12v boat and car fuse box for a while. And this is what I thought I should do. But as I was looking at the amps, I said OH NO! Each 100 solar panel is putting out about 5.5 Amps. And eventually came across a combiner box. I have seen these boxes everywhere. So it now makes sense to transition to something like this. But I never knew that I could get away with something simple until I saw this video.
Listen. My system is setup so that I need to move the power where it is needed. And I can probably do that easier with a combiner box setup. So when I need power somewhere else, all I need to do is flick a switch.
Question on the Roof top wires. I'm planing on installing a Solar panel array on my Class C. Going with 3 100 watt panels (12 Volt) Keeping it simple, using a 12 Vdc 30 amp Dual 12 Vdc output (House & Main battery feed). I love your VHB tape Idea instead of drilling into Aluminum, but what did you do or how did you secure the wires and conduit to the roof of your camper? I'm assuming that your wires are not just flapping in the wind - are they? Normally you would install anchors every 18 to 24 inches (Holes in the roof), did you use VHB tape with Cable Tie Mounts & zip ties? I was also thinking of instead of the 1/2 flex tube that you used maybe using a U-Shaped Aluminum Channels (3' L x 3/4" W x 3/8" H) with end caps and connecting fittings. If you had to change out you Flex tube would you go back to it or maybe rethink to something like a U-shaped wire channel? Great Videos by the way, to the point and not a lot of fluff. Thanks Nick
Anyone interested in continuing their education for PV should check out Solar Energy International - specifically, the NEC standards for building residential/mobile PV arrays. Article 690 is a whole section dedicated to the PV discipline.
Thanks Mic.
the positive wire coming in from the solar requires a fuse only. I never seen anyone fuse every panel.
I believe the main purpose of a fuse as you are using it is to blow if there is a short in the wire. If you want to protect the wire from the solar panel it needs to be at the panel. I agree with Jeff, what you need to fuse is the positive wire that is leaving the combiner box. That will protect your RV in case of a short in the wire between the combiner box and your MPPT controller. I am trying to learn how to setup a solar system, I have found your videos helpful and easy to understand, Thanks.
Good information
thanks
COOP
...
Great setup 👌
I have two identical 300Watt 48volt turbines that I want to connect together electrically so I don't have to use/buy two charge controllers. Can a single charge controller can handle the combined current?
I'm building a solar panel unit to charge the battery of an electric bike to go touring in Europe. It will be towed on a trailer which will also be a pop-up tent / camper. It never occurred to me that the panels should be fused. Thanks for that 😲. I laughed when you mentioned about getting a shock from the solar panel. I think you learned the hard way, hahahaha. Thanks for the information. 😀
You are great
How often do those fuses blow?
I've got the same set up except with 6 panels in parallel, some say to use a combiner box with DIN rails, some say put it on the roof, some say put it inside. I like your method the most IF I'm rarely if ever having to get on the roof to change those fuses.
What gauge wire comes off of the solar panel? What gauge goes from the combiner box to the MPPT Charge controller? How many feet of wire from combiner box to the MPPT CC?
I believe the NEC requires a dc disconnect switch and fuses that shuts off both the positive and negative leads coming out of the combiner box - a safety issue if that wire developes a short on its way to the charge contoller or if you need to work on it.
Do you know if different panels can be connected this way without volt or amp drop
I want to say thankyou for helping me with the valve stems on the dually wheels I bought them on amazon
So glad they helped David. We are loving ours and it makes airing up the tires that much easier 😊
Have you had any issues with the wire nuts working loose? Just wondering why you chose those versus crimped butt connectors.
Awesome!
Duet, you and Steve of More we Explore, are the only people I have ever heard call what electricians have always called junction box, a combiner box. Hen da yo. 変だよ。
Lol. That's because we are not electricians. We speak normal language haha jk 😋
The solar industry uses a "combiner box" that is a bit more complicated in that it is often mounted on a vertical surface, can display the output of each panel in use and has a fuse for each panel in case of a mishap of some sort. They are great idea but are immensely overpriced. I bought one anyway...oh well...
If I typed junction box, I won't be able to find this great combiner box
Merry Christmas y’all from your fellow Class C’ers Johnny and Lillie!!
Hey Johnny and Lillie! We hope you had an amazing end to your 2017. Wishing you all the best in the new year 😊
Did you consider using blocking diodes to isolate each panel from back flow should their output be unequal, like from partial shade?
Looking at the way your shadow was showing on the back of your panels; it seems to indicate your panels are pointed the wrong way.
Can you tell me what side of SOLAR CONTROL CHARER I NEED
I like adding a switch above the connector on the positive. That way you can connect and disconnect without sparks etc.
Did you consider blocking diodes, in case any of the panels get shaded?
LOVE yr vids. Hi from New Zealand
Thanks and hello there 👋🏼
did you connect them in series and parallel? I want to create a 24v solar system and i notice most panels are 12v. should i connect two panels together to make 24v?
24v system is battery voltage as in two 12 volt batteries wired in series..100w panels can put out 18v..you need to wire 2 100w panels in series to double the volts 18 x 2= 36 to charge a 24v battery setup
Keep em coming. Very informative .
Hello Duet. Thanks for detailed explanation. Helping a lot to learn fast.
What size wire did you use from the combiner box to the charge controller.
if you go to www.explorist.life, they have charts , to me you would need a chart of the maximum amps for each gauge of wire and you need to add up all the watts of all panels. so you would need a formula or lookup table to determine the size, I'm not expert though, just a guess
Hey what size fuse did you use for the solar
What size fuse did you use in each fuse connector?
Simple and to the point. I like this presentation.
That is a good idea way cheaper than the the 6 x mc4 splitters you would need. I do like the fact each panel is fused as well.
I hope you don’t mind me saying tho please consider putting some tape or some sort of insulation around that metal nut on that pipe your using as a cable gland and putting some sort of fixed divider down the middle of the box in case the tape fails and the bus bars become loose and contact each other (or that nut) on a bumpy road.
I’ve watched a lot of solar install video’s some I’ve seen you pray that no one takes notice of as they are down right dangerous, but I do think your videos on the subject are some of the best I’ve seen and look extremely professional.
Thank you so much for the feedback. It means the world. Also, great ideas for the combiner box!
Great Idea of putting a divider down the middle of the combiner box....now I just have to figure out how to do it...any ideas?
Great Videos' btw..;)
What happened to the closed captions?
Hey John, what’s do you mean?
I tried to copy and paste of your previous episode with subtitles/closed captions but no luck. If you can click on CC at the bottom right then captions will appear so we deaf can enjoy and learn about your solar electrical system.
We will be working on something in the first week of January to get the captions all going! It’s such a tedious process that we haven’t had time to get it done. Send me an email at duetjustus@gmail.com so i will be able to notify you when everything is all good 😊😊😊
if you going stick your figures down their take of your ring so u dont ground your self and disconnect the solar pannel out
Awesome Vid!! Did you use a 30 Amp fuse for each incoming solar panel?
It's funny... I should have double checked them when I was up there but I didn't 🙃 I'm almost positive they are 20A fuses. Hope this helps 👍🏼
Yes, the English language is quite difficult to master.
uggg, ive now watched 140 of ur vids and still havent got ur solar power build in full... im done looking ....
Haha. Patience is a virtue, you know...
Firstly, show the one line diagram for your installation before you dive into the details. Secondly, tell the viewer whether your panels are wired in series or parallel (you should know what this means). Thirdly, select the wire size based on the NEC (national electric code) requirements not on whether they are wide or narrow. Wow! Someone is going end up with a short circuit if they just follow your instructions.
Got up on the wrong foot? He did say they are in parallel and he did say multiple times to get the right sized cable. There are lots of online calculators that will tell you what size to choose
👍👍👍👍🤘🤘🤘🖖🖖👌👌💯
I just have one question... what Awg wire is running out of the combination box???