4 panels ,Mc4 connectors, need to add an additional panel .

[Pyana1]

I currently have 4 panels tied in parallel using 6 mc4 connectors , as depicted in picture, I'd like to add an additional panel and was wondering how would i go about doing so? Would I need two more or four connectors. Please take a look at the picture.

[bcroe]

I currently have 4 panels tied in parallel using 6 mc4 connectors , as depicted in picture, I'd like to add an additional panel and was wondering how would i go about doing so? Would I need two more or four connectors. Please take a look at the picture.

Hope the current isn't overheating anything. You might buy some short Y cables to spread out
the MC4 dividers you use. Don't know if there is any more than a 2 into 1. Bruce Roe

[SunEagle]

I currently have 4 panels tied in parallel using 6 mc4 connectors , as depicted in picture, I'd like to add an additional panel and was wondering how would i go about doing so? Would I need two more or four connectors. Please take a look at the picture.

What you need is a combiner box with over current (fuses/circuit breakers) for each panel wired in parallel.

What you are doing can lead to a panel failure should one short out for some reason without a fuse to disconnect it from the rest.

As for not meeting code, well that is another story.

Here is a picture of my combiner box set up for 5 parallel panels. Currently there are only 4 panels wired into it.

[Pyana1]

What you need is a combiner box with over current (fuses/circuit breakers) for each panel wired in parallel.

What you are doing can lead to a panel failure should one short out for some reason without a fuse to disconnect it from the rest.

As for not meeting code, well that is another story.

Here is a picture of my combiner box set up for 5 parallel panels. Currently there are only 4 panels wired into it.

Thank you so much SunEagle; I've decided to go with tHIS combiner box: Midnite Solar's MNPV6 . Now im curious as to what size breakers I would need & does this combiner box include a bus bar or is that sold separately.? Below is a picture of my panel's specs,. Also do I purchase 5 pairs of mc4 extension, perhaps 5 ft to make the connections from the panels to the combiner box?

[Pyana1]

I'm assuming maybe 12 amps? 5 panels 250 watts, all tied in parallel ; I've got another silly question: why breakers instead of fuses ?

[bcroe]

I'm assuming maybe 12 amps? 5 panels 250 watts, all tied in parallel ; I've got another silly question: why breakers instead of fuses ?

If you are running panels that big, you definitely need some over current protection. You could
use 5 fuses or 5 circuit breakers. The general rule is, the maximum voltage for DC circuit
breakers is limited, so systems with a lot of panels in series need fuses. Your low voltage
system could use either properly rated device. Bruce Roe

[SunEagle]

I'm assuming maybe 12 amps? 5 panels 250 watts, all tied in parallel ; I've got another silly question: why breakers instead of fuses ?

based on the panel nameplate it states that 10 amps is the maximum fuse setting for each panel. Fuses or breakers work as long as they are rated for the DC voltage