Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Solarlok

[Former Sponsor TM]

Hey guys,
With so many different Solar connections available it's time to figure out what most people are betting on! MC4 seems to be the most popular at the moment, but is this going to continue? Are Solar installers still buying MC3 connectors "just in case" or are you replacing connectors at the inverter for sunclix connections?

I've set up a poll to try to figure out what connectors most people are using.

 

[MorganPVI]

Re: Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Sola

Do the panels or inverter not dictate the connectors used?

We terminate appropiately. MC3 for Sanyo, MC4 - Sharp. Sunclix for SMA, MC3 for Power One.

 

[Guest123]

Re: Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Sola

Thread Stuck

 

[Former Sponsor TM]

Re: Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Sola

I'm just interested to see which way the market is going and what the most used connector is. I didn't realise that Sanyo panels are still using the older MC3 connections. How are you wiring up sanyo systems, using adaptors for at each panel? Wiring the array in MC3 then finishing off with sunclix? Do you stock all the connectors? Please discuss...

 

[MorganPVI]

Re: Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Sola

We use SMA, Fronius and Power One Inverters. SMA supply sunclix, which we terminate to the inverter from the DC Isolator. Fronius is screw terminal connection and Power Supply MC3 connectors for the MC3 on the inverter.

For panels we use a MC3-MC4 lead on Sanyos, terminate MC4 and Sunclix. Some might chop and teminate MC4 on random panels if they don't have the expensive crimp tools.

MC4 connectors are the ones to stock as they are probably most common.

 

[northernsun]

Re: Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Sola

Voted MC4 but i think i'm going to be in a majority that is using a few for different needs/ modules etc.. MC4 mainly though with sunclix when needed- for SMA etc... but MC3 where needed. I have used others where needed but nothing I would actually keep in the back of the van or in stock, First MC3 was all I ever used, then MC4 kind of took over.

 

[Former Sponsor TM]

Re: Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Sola

Can anyone add to this list or fill in the blanks?

Inverters:
Fronius:
Mastervolt: MC4
Power One:
Solar Edge:
Solar Max: MC4
SMA: Sunclix

Panels:
Sanyo: MC3
Sharp: MC4
Schott: Tyco
LG:
REC:
First solar:
Suntech: MC4
Mitsubishi: MC4
BP Solar: MC4
Kyocera:

 

[IVEnergy]

Re: Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Sola

Cheers

 

[TJLinks]

Re: Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Sola

Some Suntech panels come Radox twist loc connectors

 

[TJLinks]

Re: Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Sola

And Sharp are using MC3s

 

[tlsambo]

Re: Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Sola

Sunclix on the roof so there's less tools for the roof team to carry/drop. Whatever comes with the inverter at the inverter end.

 

[grandfortune]

Re: Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Sola

i know this maybe a stupid question but does it matter?. the panels all have there relevent connectors so yo just put on what you want elsewhere, or am i missing something?

 

[tlsambo]

Re: Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Sola

it's for the connections on the cable from the panels to the inverter.

 

[grandfortune]

Re: Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Sola

but if you dont want to buy a MC3 adapter just for solar cut them off and go to MC4 for the last run from panels to inverter?

 

[cal]

Re: Solar Connections??? MC3, MC4, Sunclix, Tyco, Radox, Huber+Suhner, Amphenol, Sola

not fitted much yet but will use mc4 as much as poss probably, I think it would be good if there was an industry standard it would save eveyone time and money
Old Russia had over 4000 different types of thread for nuts and bolts until standardisation, imagine that!
But as Grandfortune says its only really the first/last in the string to change if needed, until you get to the inverter where the plugs are fixed, but these would surely be included in the inverter kit anyway, so only one pair to change.