[RE-wrenches] Canadian Solar / MC4 connectors in a marine environment

[Mick Abraham]

Hello, Kirk~

Shoals makes a solar connector "clamshell" that might work for you. It's
intended to force an unlocking tool requirement atop old style MC3
connectors which otherwise do not lock. So...maybe it won't be big enough
to surround the bigger MC4 type connectors. Some sealant might be wanted
inside the clamshell.

Here's the factory link:

http://shoals.com/products/mc3-locking-clamshells/

...and if you need only a small quantity of these, google for shoals
clamshell & you'll find resellers.

The old MC3's with their rubbery gaskets may be better in a corrosive
environment, just a thought...so, Kirk, if you still have MC3 tooling plus
plenty of time...

The Wrench List is the Bomb!

Mick Abraham, Proprietor
www.abrahamsolar.com

Voice: 970-731-4675


>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Kirk Herander <vtsolar at icloud.com>
> To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Cc:
> Date: Mon, 06 Jun 2016 17:28:13 -0400
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Canadian Solar / MC4 connectors in a marine
> environment
>
> Hello,
>
>
>
> I am debugging a Florida ocean-side 35 kw array using 4 year old Canadian
> Solar panels, which I’ve never had a high opinion of, installed by others.
>
> I’ve discovered several not-so-good problems, such as low insulation
> resistance through the panels, ONLY when raining, early to mid-morning
> condensation, or by using the last resort of spraying the panels with a
> garden house and watching the SMA inverters shut down due to failing their
> self “Riso” (that’s the IRT) test creating a ground fault error.
>
> That aside, what’s just as interesting is that about 8 or 9 of the module
> interconnections were basically oozing the aqua-blue copper tarnish. I’ve
> never seen this in any installation before. Either the MC4s weren’t crimped
> and tightened at the factory well, or the connectors were seated poorly,
> although that doesn’t seem to be the case. BTW, I replaced all these
> dubious MC4 connectors and the ground faults still occur when the panels
> are wet.
>
> The bigger issue is the panel warranty, but is there anything on the
> market which could seal these connections, perhaps a type of “clamshell” to
> provide an extra layer of protection, which is removable if need be?
> There’s always glue-filled heat shrink, but ideally I don’t want anything
> permanent surrounding the connectors.
>
> Has anyone ever seen what I’m describing in a marine environment?
>
>
>
> *Kirk Herander*
>
> *Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC *
>
> *Celebrating our 25th Anniversary 1991-2016*
>
> *www.vermontsolarnow.com <http://www.vermontsolarnow.com>*
>
> dba Vermont Solar Engineering
>
> NABCEPTM  2003 Inaugural Certificant
>
> VT RE Incentive Program Partner
>
> 802.863.1202
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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