Joining solar panels.

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 10th February 2013, 04:44 PM

Its only 6 amps,, but 1000 volts

( x2!)
The original solar panel was put in place (on the caravan roof) as a one off,, no thought given to extending the array,, so I have to unbolt the panel from the roof and see what sort of connections I can undo/make up. The new panel will have tiny wiring whereas the old one has good 6mm cable,,
is there any benefit to replacing the new cable with a similar size?, (if nothing else it will make joining them easier) the cable run will be all of around 1.5m,,

any good ideas on joining the 3 cables ends together?

solder joints or bolted crimps? BP connectors?
I have these-- but,,,,

dont forget this will be done on a caravan roof,
at night.

**Judo** · 10th February 2013, 05:26 PM

Personally I think soldered connections are the best.

I would also make all the cable the same, but I guess it depends how thin the old cable is....??

**jboot51** · 10th February 2013, 06:05 PM

How big is this solar array ?
1000v x 6 amps = 6000 watts.

My grid connected house solar is 3kw and is 6mx3m.

Better wait for a solar expert to chime in before you do anything.

**Judo** · 10th February 2013, 06:11 PM

That's an interesting point. Caravan roof? 6kva?

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 10th February 2013, 06:12 PM

No,, thats just some max figure they put on all the panels..

if Watts = V x A then its just 72 watts

**Judo** · 10th February 2013, 06:18 PM

72....6000. Very similar.

I'm sticking to my original post.

**jboot51** · 10th February 2013, 06:19 PM

Thats better then. 12v/80w panel
There should be a junction box on the underside of both panels, with a terminal strip connector.
Just join red-red, black-black.
Leave the small wire on the new panel, It'll be fine.

That's assuming you haven't acquired a panel from somebody's house roof, I think they are 36v panels.

**bee utey** · 10th February 2013, 06:25 PM

Whatever makes your connections water and vibration proof. Solder and heat shrink is excellent, water proof junction boxes with screw terminals are good too. Uninsulated double adaptor thingies, not so much. The 1000V probably refers to either the maximun voltage in a series connected string (like when used for grid connected systems) or the insulation strength relative to the ally frame.

**Blknight.aus** · 10th February 2013, 07:23 PM

1000v is the breakdown voltage of the insulation.

Throw a blanket over the panels and work on them during the day.

**rovercare** · 10th February 2013, 09:02 PM

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