Need help/advice on MC cables
System
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I purchased an 80w solar panel for a project I am doing. The panel came with just a junction box on the back, and no MC cable pigtails. Strangely, the place I bought the panel from said that they did not sell the cables and could not even tell me where to buy them.
I purchased one MC cable and it does not fit the odd connectors on the junction box. I opened the junction box to see what it looked like on the inside, and after seeing that and comparing to various MC cable types, I do not see ANY cable connector that will work with this.
I have attached pictures of the junction box connectors, as well as the inside...can someone identify what type of cable connector will work with this? As a last resort I could always just cut the connectors off the cable I already purchased and solder them directly to the terminals, but I'd prefer to "do it right".
Any advice is appreciated, thanks!
I purchased one MC cable and it does not fit the odd connectors on the junction box. I opened the junction box to see what it looked like on the inside, and after seeing that and comparing to various MC cable types, I do not see ANY cable connector that will work with this.
I have attached pictures of the junction box connectors, as well as the inside...can someone identify what type of cable connector will work with this? As a last resort I could always just cut the connectors off the cable I already purchased and solder them directly to the terminals, but I'd prefer to "do it right".
Any advice is appreciated, thanks!
Comments
That is a compression rubber cord connector, not an MC connector. You need the correct diameter rubber cord to fit that connector, or vice versa. Get your self some SO cord
Can you be more specific? I googled around for compression cords, so cords, and found nothing.
The place I ordered the panel from told me I would need a male and female MC connector, even after I told them that the panel had very NOT mc-like connectors...you'd think they would know their own product, obviously they do not!
Thanks!
Your supplier is right.
You need a male and female MC connector (appropriate for whatever you want to plug the panel in to), or if you simply just want bare leads coming out, you just feed one wire in each compression fitting into the junction box, crimp a tab connector to the wire and bolt it down. Then put whatever connector you want on the other end.
Okay so basically it needs to be hard wired (at least on the panel side), and there is no connector that will just plug in to those ports somehow. That's what I thought, but I have never seen a solar panel junction box so just wanted to be sure.
Do you think I should just use "spade" connectors? It looks like they would clamp down well, as the terminal screws are holding down a small square of metal.
There is no connector!
The is a Junction Box(J-Box) with water tight "strain reliefs" like these
So run them through the strain relief, attach a lug, mount under the screws, tighten the strain reliefs.
It actually looks like it has some type of lug in place that needs to be bent around the wire, but I would see if the screw will back out and if it's a lug replace it, if it doesn't back out I might use the bend over disign if I though there was plenty of room, but it looks tight.
Ditto. I can see the bare - uninsulated crimp lugs under the screw heads. Size your wire to fit the rubber bushing, and it's water proof. Adjust so water can't drip or run inside & you are fine.
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,
Okay we are on the same page now.
It looks to me as though the connectors are there already, for you to crimp over the # 10 or so wire that you want to use.
EJ
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