Thread: Joining solar panels.

Originally Posted by rovercare

Mc4 plugs, can get branches

Marsol MC4 Multi-connect Solar Connector

Solder joints are less than ideal, although solar stuff generally has tinned copper cable

Why do you say solder joints are less than ideal?

Originally Posted by Judo

Why do you say solder joints are less than ideal?

Bugger, I tried to delete that to save me the effort

Because of human intervention, a bad solder joint will fatigue in numerous possible ways and with dc can cause a fire, connection need to be sound, although with such a small voc it's not as great a risk

Excellent joints if they are done correctly and protected from vibration, stress and the elements

Solder joints are sometimes considered less than ideal in situations exposed to vibration, especially with fine strand cables, because the solder is likely to migrate a few millimetres along the cable from the supported part of the joint, and the join of the solder cemented part of the cable to the flexible part represents a stress riser - all movement is concentrated at this point, leading to failure. The problem is removed if support such as shrink rap extends beyond the end of the solder, but the issue is that you never know how far back under the insulation it has gone.

In my view, if done competently, it is not a significant issue, mainly a problem where it is wire joined into the middle of another wire.

John