My $25 Combiner Box.. with fusing..

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ywhic
ywhic Solar Expert Posts: 621 ✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Well I watched a few silly YouTube videos on solar and home made combiner boxes without any fusing.. :confused:

Anyway..

I took it a step up (IMHO) and added a fuse for each panel using a DC rated (120 amp) Buss ATC 6 fuse holder..

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10 or 12 AWG Wire (from panels) feeds in from the RIGHT and a single +/- pair of 8 AWG will go out the LEFT..

I used a Carlon Double Gang outdoor box.. $5.67 (Home Depot)
Carlon Double Gang outdoor cover.. $2.85 (Home Depot)
Bussman BP/15600-06-20.. $10.49 (Advance Auto or Autozone)
Dorman 85454 12-10Awg .250" Female Disconnect.. $3.49 (Advance Auto)
Bussman ATC fuses 5 pk.. $3.49 (Advance Auto) .. pick your amperage.. LoL
Homelite PK7GTA Grounding Bar kit.. $6.XX (HomeDepot)

So for about $25 (minus the fuses and connects) I can wrangle my soon to be assembled 30 Amp controller and solar setup..

You'll notice I notched the + terminal plastic off with my dremel to fit in between the plastic post and give a little more room...

I also cut the Ground buss bar down to 5 positions.. 4 for panels negative inbound and 1 out negative to the charge controller..

I used SuperGlue to hold things into the PLASTIC box.. and am waiting for it dry for abit before doing my sample wiring..

Also if you don't like this idea.. I found a Square D 100 Amp Panel QO612L100RB (3R outdoor) that holds 6 QO breakers (or 6 tandem ones) for $36.78.. Home Depot #578134.. They sell Tandem QO 15 AMP breakers for $16.73 so you can actually get 12 PV panels into that box.. The 15 AMP QO's are 120/240 and 0-48 VDC rated..

[video=youtube_share;3n9TPiW2Bbw]http://youtu.be/3n9TPiW2Bbw[/video]

Heres the final box with 2 'panels' coming in.. 10AWG for the 'panels' and using 10AWG on the out (for example purposes)..
I will be using a proper 8AWG 'ring' terminal on the + outwire.. (again this is a mock up)..

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  • SolaRevolution
    SolaRevolution Solar Expert Posts: 410 ✭✭
    #2
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    Re: My $25 Combiner Box.. with fusing..

    Spec sheet for the Bussman ATC fuses:
    http://www1.cooperbussmann.com/pdf/b05e23f5-5c01-4464-bfe8-802312799173.pdf

    UL "Recognized", not "Listed"
    32 Volts DC Max.

    I use them in small, portable, 12 volt, non-NEC governed applications.

    Alex
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  • ywhic
    ywhic Solar Expert Posts: 621 ✭✭
    #3
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    Re: My $25 Combiner Box.. with fusing..
    SolaRevolution wrote: »
    Spec sheet for the Bussman ATC fuses:
    http://www1.cooperbussmann.com/pdf/b05e23f5-5c01-4464-bfe8-802312799173.pdf

    UL "Recognized", not "Listed"
    32 Volts DC Max.

    Thats good to know.. I'm running 12v panels however..

    For those that prefer I re-iterate..

    I found a Square D 100 Amp Panel QO612L100RB (3R outdoor) that holds 6 QO breakers (or 6 tandem ones) for $36.78.. Home Depot #578134.. They sell Tandem QO 15 AMP breakers for $16.73 so you can actually get 12 PV panels into that box.. The 15 AMP QO's are 120/240 and 0-48 VDC rated..

    For me this $25 combiner box will work.. for people running 24v or higher be aware of the 32VDC max on the fuses..
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  • ywhic
    ywhic Solar Expert Posts: 621 ✭✭
    #4
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    Re: My $25 Combiner Box.. with fusing..

    The 3rd option for DIY is the smaller UL Listed 70 Amp Square D 3R Rated (outdoor) QO24L70RBCP Panel.. 2/4 circuits QO rated breakers..

    Lowes Item 578128 for $30.27.. then $5.xx (single) or $16.xx (tandem) breakers..
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  • Caneman
    Caneman Solar Expert Posts: 71 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
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    Re: My $25 Combiner Box.. with fusing..

    ^^^ did something similar, bought the $30 3R box off ebay, took out the breaker hardware, added din rail ($3) and the Midnight Solar DC breakers (din mount)... the box came with a busbar for the (-) connection that had 6 wire slots on it, and a ground busbar...
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