In this video I integrate a fuse, and blocking diode directly into the solar panel junction box. Links: Fuse www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/... Diode www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Unique, well done and very useful video. I have (4) 48V arrays, two facing east and 2 facing south. I know I need blocking diodes, at least on the east-facing arrays, and was searching for an idea about how to do this. My conclusion after watching this is to simply use your technique to modify one panel in each array with a Schottky diode. Great, clean solution. Thanks for including all the details. Many TH-cam solar videos leave me with still more questions because the presenters assume I know more than I do.
Hey nice video! And would agree, retouch the wire on to the tab of the Blocking diode, so you don't develop heat from access current do to the voltage drop of the cold solder joint. Thanks for sharing.
I bought a bunch of those inline mc4 diodes and also the inline fuses for all 8 of my panels and definitely noticed a small voltage drop after i connected all of them. I haven't been home enough lately to do any kind of testing but hopefully the diodes helped with the partial shading i get at different times of day
Interesting ideas even if a little scary to be making a more or less permanent change to the panel. What would be nice is if the manufacturers would make it easier and more cost-effective to fuse them. $20 per fuse is quite ridiculous. Some rosin will help on those bigger wires.
Yeah, manufactures expect you to wire them all up in series, or use micro inverters, fuses are not required in those configurations. Fuses are only necessary if wiring in parallel, and the combined parallel current exceeds maximum series rating printed on the panel. For example my max series rating is 15A, my panels can output 6A so if I have just 3 panels in parallel that's 18A total, and over the 15A max series rating.
I have 3 x 340w panels in Series for a pump inverter controller. I have 42v at the first panel at the pos&neg terminal connector then the other two panels show no voltage at the terminal box. I have 42v at the pos&neg terminal block in the pump control box. I at first thought it was diodes but there are 6 diodes between the two panels I’m getting no volts from , surely they all can’t be faulty and why isn’t there any volts coming from the 3 internal solar panel strings. After watching some videos I’m wondering whether the two suspect panels are faulty and the internal foil circuits have broken down ? Should I get volts at each panel in daylight when in series, I’d think I should ?
Unique, well done and very useful video. I have (4) 48V arrays, two facing east and 2 facing south. I know I need blocking diodes, at least on the east-facing arrays, and was searching for an idea about how to do this. My conclusion after watching this is to simply use your technique to modify one panel in each array with a Schottky diode. Great, clean solution. Thanks for including all the details. Many TH-cam solar videos leave me with still more questions because the presenters assume I know more than I do.
I like that you fast forwarded with audio on. :)
Yeah, I figured out I can FF 500% and still have audio. If I do past that it removes the audio. Which was driving me nuts :)
@@BradCagle I don't care that I can't understand Chipmunk. It adds a level of realism that a lot of channels don't have. :)
Seems like a very practical mod to an existing system. Thanks for sharing.
Great video, thank you for posting it! Bunzie is looking forward to your next one!
Hey nice video! And would agree, retouch the wire on to the tab of the Blocking diode, so you don't develop heat from access current do to the voltage drop of the cold solder joint. Thanks for sharing.
Nice idea
I bought a bunch of those inline mc4 diodes and also the inline fuses for all 8 of my panels and definitely noticed a small voltage drop after i connected all of them. I haven't been home enough lately to do any kind of testing but hopefully the diodes helped with the partial shading i get at different times of day
I'd be interested in your results. Thanks!
Interesting ideas even if a little scary to be making a more or less permanent change to the panel. What would be nice is if the manufacturers would make it easier and more cost-effective to fuse them. $20 per fuse is quite ridiculous. Some rosin will help on those bigger wires.
Yeah, manufactures expect you to wire them all up in series, or use micro inverters, fuses are not required in those configurations. Fuses are only necessary if wiring in parallel, and the combined parallel current exceeds maximum series rating printed on the panel. For example my max series rating is 15A, my panels can output 6A so if I have just 3 panels in parallel that's 18A total, and over the 15A max series rating.
DC doesn't go to zero, volts, like AC does. I'd probably do that on my panels when needed. And like you said, definitely mark them with what was done.
Correct!
I have 3 x 340w panels in Series for a pump inverter controller. I have 42v at the first panel at the pos&neg terminal connector then the other two panels show no voltage at the terminal box. I have 42v at the pos&neg terminal block in the pump control box. I at first thought it was diodes but there are 6 diodes between the two panels I’m getting no volts from , surely they all can’t be faulty and why isn’t there any volts coming from the 3 internal solar panel strings. After watching some videos I’m wondering whether the two suspect panels are faulty and the internal foil circuits have broken down ?
Should I get volts at each panel in daylight when in series, I’d think I should ?
When one diode fails, it increases the load on the remaining ones - either until they all fail or the circuit is broken through burnt connectors.
What are the specs for your solar controller, because mine will take 300 volts at 80 amps
The biggest controller i have does 150v, and 60amp. Which one are you using?
Correct me if I'm wrong , but shouldn't the fuses be on the positive imput?
It doesn't matter in this case because there's no other grounds on a PV panel to complete the circuit.
Were can I buy solar panel diode
He's got a link in the description..