Solar attic ventilator

garynappi

I have an AC attic ventilator that has died. I read that a few states no longer allow AC operated attic ventilators but do allow solar. 

My old unit is situated in the eaves immediately above my wall mounted 100 and planned 175 watt panel. I also will have a spare 40 watt that I can connect directly to a "solar" fan which is "designed" to take the output of a solar panel in lieu of going to the CC. This would be cool because it will only work during the daytime if it's possible.

What I need to know is...

The gable mounted fan is located a few feet from where the 40 watt PV will be and the wall is just 1/2" ply with a wood siding on it, what kind of wall mounted box would be correct for the MC4 connectors from the PV? 

I found this one... Any other ideas?

PS, I read all about the controversy involving attic ventilators, in my case, I wholeheartedly disagree.

Estragon

In this particular application, I'd probably just cut the mc4 connectors off, and wire into a weatherproof j-box.

BB.

One thing with weather prooflng is to have drip loops.

Wiring runs down then loops up onto the box. Wires runs that run sideways or down into the box will almost always bring water in, no matter how well you try to seal.

And, drill a small hole at the lowest point in the box, if water does not come in directly, temperature cycling will condense water inside the box and collect in a puddle and make for a humid interior.

Bill

Estragon

Very good tips!

littleharbor2

garynappi said:

I have an AC attic ventilator that has died. I read that a few states no longer allow AC operated attic ventilators but do allow solar. 

My old unit is situated in the eaves immediately above my wall mounted 100 and planned 175 watt panel. I also will have a spare 40 watt that I can connect directly to a "solar" fan which is "designed" to take the output of a solar panel in lieu of going to the CC. This would be cool because it will only work during the daytime if it's possible.

What I need to know is...

The gable mounted fan is located a few feet from where the 40 watt PV will be and the wall is just 1/2" ply with a wood siding on it, what kind of wall mounted box would be correct for the MC4 connectors from the PV? 

I found this one... Any other ideas?

PS, I read all about the controversy involving attic ventilators, in my case, I wholeheartedly disagree.



Gary, where did you find that MC-4 entry gland?

jonr

>  the controversy involving attic ventilators

There is some data indicating that attic ventilators can increase energy use.  But it's a case of taking data involving high powered exhaust fans and then erroneously applying it to the general case (ie, concluding that attic ventilation is always bad). 

garynappi

littleharbor2 said:

garynappi said:

I have an AC attic ventilator that has died. I read that a few states no longer allow AC operated attic ventilators but do allow solar. 

My old unit is situated in the eaves immediately above my wall mounted 100 and planned 175 watt panel. I also will have a spare 40 watt that I can connect directly to a "solar" fan which is "designed" to take the output of a solar panel in lieu of going to the CC. This would be cool because it will only work during the daytime if it's possible.

What I need to know is...

The gable mounted fan is located a few feet from where the 40 watt PV will be and the wall is just 1/2" ply with a wood siding on it, what kind of wall mounted box would be correct for the MC4 connectors from the PV? 

I found this one... Any other ideas?

PS, I read all about the controversy involving attic ventilators, in my case, I wholeheartedly disagree.



Gary, where did you find that MC-4 entry gland?

I found it on Ebay item number: 193146853348

littleharbor2

Thanks!