MC4 to Cigarette Lighter Plug for Power Box

[dicque]

Hello!

I created an account here because I'm very new to the solar world and it seems like everyone here is quite knowledgeable! I have a question, so hopefully someone can help me here..

I purchased a 40 watt solar panel with a MC4 junction box. I understand that in order to run the panel to the charge controller, I need a MC4 jumper cable and need to cut off the end and strip the wires.

Instead of attaching the wires to the charge controller, would it be reasonable to use cigarette lighter plugs and receptacles between the panel and controller? I want to attach a male plug to the MC4 jumper wire on the solar panel, and fabricate a box containing a battery and the charge controller with a female input for the panel. Since I'm going to use cigarette lighter outlets for the equipment I want to power, it seems like it would make sense for me to use these same materials for the solar panel input.

Has anyone tried this before? Any feed back would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[Naptown]

First off dont cut the MC4 connectors off it will void any panel warranty.
Since the outlet (what you will plug appliances into to use. and the inpt from panel to controller will go to two different places I sould suggest using a different type of connector so they cannot be confused ever. At your panel wattage any type of automotive plug or connector can be used.

[dicque]

Thanks for the response Naptown! I ordered a 1.5 ft jumper cable that I'll be cutting in half since I don't want to mess with the panel's warranty. I'm going to cut the end off the jumper and use some sort of plug to connect the panel to the box.

I was thinking of using a label maker or a Sharpie "Solar Panel ONLY", something like that so myself or anyone else would _hopefully_ not get the input confused since I will have cigarette lighter outputs.

Since I want to use this power box for DC appliances and adapters for cell phones, I'm definitely using cigarette lighters for the outputs, but I'm not sure what else is available. What other type of plug would you recommend that I use for the solar panel input to the box to ensure this confusion doesn't happen at all?

[Wy_White_Wolf]

Why not use MC4 connectors?

They are readily available and you can get premade cables of various lengths.

WWW

[dicque]

Hi WWW

I'd like to use something other than MC4 because I understand these cables lock and require a special tool to detach. Since I'll be using this for camping and it may get moved around, cigarette lighter plugs seemed to make more sense since they quickly attach and detach. Basically, I'm considering lighter plugs sheerly out of convenience. I'd hate to be in the middle of the woods with a connected solar panel, and it turns out I lost the MC4 unlock tool, forgot to bring it, it broke, etc.. Unless I'm not totally understanding MC4?

[Wy_White_Wolf]

then I would use some automotive connectors like these

http://www.amazon.com/ACCEL-74812-Weatherproof-Electrical-Connector/dp/B001HQEUKC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1386878192&sr=8-3&keywords=Automotive+Electrical+Connectors

WWW

[dicque]

Weatherproof too, excellent! Thanks for the tip WWW!

[SunEagle]

Hi WWW

I'd like to use something other than MC4 because I understand these cables lock and require a special tool to detach. Since I'll be using this for camping and it may get moved around, cigarette lighter plugs seemed to make more sense since they quickly attach and detach. Basically, I'm considering lighter plugs sheerly out of convenience. I'd hate to be in the middle of the woods with a connected solar panel, and it turns out I lost the MC4 unlock tool, forgot to bring it, it broke, etc.. Unless I'm not totally understanding MC4?

I use MC4 connectors and while they do "lock" together the also easily come apart by pressing in the locking tabs on both sides. Almost like the plastic belt clasp on a back pack. You can purchase them already with male and female connectors on both ends for extensions or you can get them with a connector on one end (male or female) and the other end can be stripped and connected to a terminal block.

You can see them in the attached photo.

Behind PV panels.jpg

[bcroe]

I have had all manor of problems with cigarette lighter connectors; coming
apart, shorting out, over heating, etc. Not a good idea for any serious or
new ap.

The locking feature on MC4s is easily removed, leaving a nice waterproof,
polarized, and unlikely to short when apart connector. I do this for solar
test temporary connections. Bruce Roe