Failure of mc4 connectors

mcgivor
mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
Has anyone come across  mc4 connectors which fail to conduct, during my daily system checks I noticed that the current from the array was noticeably lower, a pigtail of different manufacturer to the panel it was connected to, was the culprit, movement made it conduct intermittently, my fix was to remove and make a married soldered splice with heat shrink sleeving.
This left me wondering could this be a more common problem that goes unnoticed. 
1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
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Comments

  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,037 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The Amphenol MC-4 like connectors are definitely different, internally, than other MC-4 connectors. Any chance you have any of them in the mix?

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    No idea to be honest, but they don't have the same markings, one would assume if they connect together they should be compatible, best not good to assume anything I suppose, if different they should not mate, there should be a detent or something to prevent this.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,037 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Amphenol connectors will have "Amphenol" molded into the body of the connector. I only mention this because I have used them and they require a different crimping tool. Their contacts are much heavier than a typical MC-4. With the vast number of makers of MC-4 type connectors I can see some not being compatible with others.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    No Amphenol markings, perhaps they are Chinese made, think I'll remove the others and solder splice, never liked interference connectors of any type, too many dry connections including the crimp can lead to problems, besides how often do we need to disconnect once installed. 
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I actually bought some MC4 connectors on eBay that were crimped only. That's not up to code by my understanding. You can crimp and solder, but not solder alone. I understand, or at least have heard the argument, that it makes a pivot point so connections that will move even slightly, will eventually fail. Not sure why this isn't true of crimped connections.
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    Yes, crimped connections are generally the only accepted termination technique for long life/high reliably connectors.

    Solder wicks up (stranded wire) when soldered. It is that point at which the solder stops where there is a "fulcrum created" and any bending of the copper wire work hardens at that point.

    Crimped connections do not have that transition point where forces are focused.

    Solder connections can be fine, but the wire needs to be supported beyond the soldered point to strain relief/move/prevent the bending forces from reaching the solder joint.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    BB. said:
    Yes, crimped connections are generally the only accepted termination technique for long life/high reliably connectors.


    Solder wicks up (stranded wire) when soldered. It is that point at which the solder stops where there is a "fulcrum created" and any bending of the copper wire work hardens at that point.

    Crimped connections do not have that transition point where forces are focused.

    Solder connections can be fine, but the wire needs to be supported beyond the soldered point to strain relief/move/prevent the bending forces from reaching the solder joint.

    -Bill


    So if for example an inline married splice is made, without any connectors, mc 4 or otherwise, the wire should be supported on either side to prevent movement, this would make sense as copper, when heated to a certain temperature, can either harden or become anealed, or soft , since soldering is at a lower temperature, the transition point where the heat is disapated becomes the weak point because it is now effectively work hardened, thanks @BB.  You are an invaluable  resource of information. The link below is the method I employ to eliminate the mc4 connectors.

    http://www.instructables.com/id/Soldering-Tutorial-Inline-Splicing/
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • Solray
    Solray Registered Users Posts: 246 ✭✭✭
    The link is incorrect. It says to add shrink tube after you are done. Shrink tube needs to be put on before step 1 and slid away to an area that stays cool while soldering then but in place and heated after step 7.
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 2017 #10
    Solray said:
    The link is incorrect. It says to add shrink tube after you are done. Shrink tube needs to be put on before step 1 and slid away to an area that stays cool while soldering then but in place and heated after step 7.
    Go back and read step 1, pay attention to the note, at the bottom.  
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    Not mentioned in the instructions, but well commented on below is to use electrically compatible flux, not plumbing fluxes. Electrical fluxes will not cause corrosion. Plumbing fluxes are generally acid and will make a real mess a year later--And are impossible to clean from stranded cables (flux simply wicks up the strands).

    Other tip... Make sure that you do not move/jiggle the wire while the solder hardens. If moved, you will get a cold solder joint (instead of mirror smooth surface, you will get a mushy/fractured surface).

    Picking a "eutectic solder". Lowest melting temperature and reduces the chances of cold solder joints (goes from liquid to solid without a "mushy state").

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • Solray
    Solray Registered Users Posts: 246 ✭✭✭
    I use a Velleman soldering station with a digital temperature readout to avoid overheating tiny fine wires on circuit boards, It's also a good idea not to overheat any solder connection as it can compromise the insulation on the wires.
  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
    ...or just use a dang butt connector....
    Image result for butt connector

    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • Aguarancher
    Aguarancher Solar Expert Posts: 315 ✭✭✭
    edited July 2017 #14
    One of the toughest environments for a wire splice is in the submersible pump application. When you can’t have a failure this is what I’ve used. There are other suppliers and this link is for example only.

     https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E8O5ZPO
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Access to all products is not a luxury currently at my disposal, most things are available in Thailand, but not easy to locate, I do have rosen core solder, a butane soldering iron, heat shrink sleeving  brought from Canada, so improvisation is needed, I'm not complaining,actually the challenges are somewhat interesting, just the mc4 connectors I did locate, proved to be incompatible.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • Aguarancher
    Aguarancher Solar Expert Posts: 315 ✭✭✭
    edited July 2017 #16
    Find any submersible pump installer in your country and you will find all the components listed in my link. I am not aware of any other way to maintain a watertight connection 150' down a well..lol. First time you use the waterproof shrink tubing you will be sold. Ask the pump guy for DYI instructions on the install. I use a propane torch for setting the shrink tube, just keep the torch moving as to not over heat the tubing. You will see the sealant ooze out the ends..
  • Solray
    Solray Registered Users Posts: 246 ✭✭✭
    I used those on the connections to my Sprinkler system valves.
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    The application is not submerged in water 150'down a well,  it's just an alternative to mc4 connectors which are seemingly incompatible, in free air, protected for the most part by the panels themselves. Appreciate the suggestions none the less, my fix is to solder, then use 3M self vulcanizing tape to seal out the elements with a heat shrink cover for added protection , the crimp connectors would be great, if they were readily available, but they are not .



    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,812 ✭✭✭✭
    mcgivor said:
    Has anyone come across  mc4 connectors which fail to conduct, 
    Yes.....a couple times in fact. Keep in mind that sometimes I macgivor stuff with leftover parts and an adventurous spirit.
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
  • Solray
    Solray Registered Users Posts: 246 ✭✭✭
    > @mcgivor said:
    > The application is not submerged in water 150'down a well,  it's just an alternative to mc4 connectors which are seemingly incompatible, in free air, protected for the most part by the panels themselves. Appreciate the suggestions none the less, my fix is to solder, then use 3M self vulcanizing tape to seal out the elements with a heat shrink cover for added protection , the crimp connectors would be great, if they were readily available, but they are not .

    mc4 are also a crimp connection with a way to disconnect that does not involve cutting wires and if you buy good quality double contact type they virtually never fail barring abuse or misuse of the connector.
  • nickdearing88
    nickdearing88 Registered Users Posts: 100 ✭✭✭
    I had one of my MC4 connectors fail but since my system is mostly used to experiment, I figured it was because my panels get disconnected and reconnected so frequently. Before joining the forum, I also didn't know they were not intended to be disconnected while under load.
    Current system: 8-100w Renogy panels mono/poly, 2 strings of 4 panels in series - 24v 100Ah AGM Battleborn LiFePO4 batteries - Morningstar MPPT40 CC - 1500W Samlex PSW inverter
  • mike_s
    mike_s Registered Users Posts: 155 ✭✭
    Let's be clear - MC4 connectors are unique to Multi-Contact, the sole manufacturer. All the rest should be called MC4 compatible, at best. Especially the CCC (Cheap Chinese Crap) ones. No doubt, some are copies of copies of copies, hence the incompatible dimensions which cause problems.
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    If the Multi Contact is the only true mc4, the ones used on most panels would in all likelihood would be copies, so short of replacing all of them, or at very least the end of strings to pigtails.with the genuine ones, there would be a possibility of incompatibility.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,037 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If disconnected under load they arc and burn the contacts. Virtually all solar panels have a label attached to the leads, near the MC-4 connectors warning you to NOT disconnect under load.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    MC4 is likely a set of specifications, which may be subject to patents and licencing of varying length and enforceabilty in various parts of the world. Like any such set of specifications, it can and will be used to produce goods which will meet those specs to varying degrees. The original specifyer will have an interest in producing to that spec and protecting a brand name.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Since they connect, I don't think this is McGivor's problem, but their are also Tyco connectors which look very similar to MC4 connectors. Just wanted to put this here for those who are reading back looking for MC4 problems. We've seen people being confused about this in the past....
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    I have 3 brands of  MC4 connectors on 3 brabnds of PV panels... all 3 brands work as they are supposed to,  so long as they are mated with the same make!   .
    To clarify  this discussion Solray's statement needs a small addition,
    mc4 are also a crimp connection with a way to disconnect that does not involve cutting wires and if you buy good quality double contact type they virtually never fail barring abuse or misuse of the connector, when used with the same make
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
  • mike_s
    mike_s Registered Users Posts: 155 ✭✭
    edited July 2017 #28
    Estragon said:
    MC4 is likely a set of specifications,
    Nope. MC4 is a connector system made by one company, but widely copied. Whatever specs exist, they are not available for the copycats to work from. 
    Stäubli Electrical Connectors does not recognize a compatibility between Stäubli Electrical Connectors MC3/MC4 connectors and connectors from other manufacturers. -- Staubli/Multi-Contact

    And, if you need to be concerned about compliance with code, you don't want to mix manufacturers:
    In the UL File QIJQ2.E343181 belonging to the category “Connectors for Use in Photovoltaic Systems – Component” under the section Conditions of Acceptability you will find the following statement: “These devices have only been assessed for UL Recognition with specific types of mated connectors within their product family. They have not been assessed to operate with any other similar devices from any other manufacturer” -- ibid.
    There's more info at the link.
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice comment, concise useful information, thank you @mike_s
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • mryimmers
    mryimmers Solar Expert Posts: 117 ✭✭✭
    I seem to think I read somewhere cutting off the connectors on your solar panels will void your warranty.
    510 watt pv, TS-MPPT 60, Exeltech XP1100, XP600 & XP250 @ 24V, 4x Trojan 105RE, Trimetric 2030, Yamaha EF2400i gen.
  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,812 ✭✭✭✭
    MC4 copies? I have not seen anything but MC4 connectors used for the past 1/2 dozen years or more.
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries