Quick-Connects - The good, the bad and the ugly [RE-wrenches]

Mark Frye markf at berkeleysolar.com
Sun Sep 30 13:11:19 PDT 2007


I think one should be very careful about the "ratings" achieved under 
the Photon test.  What does it really matter what the contact resistance 
is after 100 make/break cycles?

In the long run I think we will all be sorry to see the MC2 go.

MPF

Joel Davidson wrote:
> 
> Jay, Thank you for your feedback. Anyone else want to ring in?
> 
> At the Long Beach show, Multi-Contact was promoting their PV-KST4 
> (female), 
> PV-SBT4 (male) and PV-SSH4 lock clip.
> 
> The September 2007 issue of Photon International has a detailed article 
> about their module connector testing. Scores ranged from (1.4) very 
> good, to 
> (2.5) satisfactory, to (3.5) sufficient, to (6) poor. Tyco Solarlok 
> (1394461 
> and 1394462) scored (2.0) good. The old non-locking M/C (KST3 and KBT3) 
> scored (2.5) satisfactory, the locking M/C scored (3.1) satisfactory and 
> 
> most Chinese connectors scored poorly.
> 
> The good/bad news, depending on your politics and your purse, is that 
> the 
> Chinese PV manufacturers will get better. They are moving up the 
> learning 
> curve faster than the Japanese did and copying almost everything they 
> photographed at the show. The bad news is connectors are another part 
> that 
> will fail in the field. Use the highest quality connectors and spend 
> more 
> time putting connectors on properly and inspecting their assembly and 
> installation. Don't let the California incentive 10-year turnkey 
> warranty 
> bite you. I strongly recommend that someone other than the assembler or 
> installer check all shop and field connectors and connections.
> 
> Joel Davidson
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jay Peltz, Peltz Power" <jay at asis.com>
> To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
> Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2007 9:11 PM
> Subject: Re: Quick-Connects - The good, the bad and the ugly 
> [RE-wrenches]
> 
> 
> >
> > Hi Joel,
> >
> > I have used MC2, MC4, Tyco.
> >
> > I like the new Tyco: you can open the junction box and install new  
> > leads 
> > if needed.  Also the metal connector seems very solid. Also  will take 
> > various wire insulation thickness.
> >
> > The MC4, has a very flimsy metal connector, I don't like it at all.   
> > Only 
> > pro is that it'll take various wire insulation thickness  really  
> > easily.
> >
> > The MC2, I know its not long for this world but sure liked this one. 
> > Solid metal connector, flexible, small,
> >
> > jay
> >
> > peltz power
> >
> >
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> >
> >
> > 
> 
> 



Berkeley Solar Electric Systems


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