Howdy,

Any recommendations for terminating the wires from PV strings to wire runs? I need some form of terminal block to connect the wires from the PV's to the wire runs that connect to the Suntie inverters. I will need to terminate #6 stranded wire. Since I am using Suntie's and not the Sunnyboy, a combiner box is not required nor a fuse box, but I still need some effective way to make connections from strings of (3) Kyocera 158's.

Thanks for the ideas,

Alan

I assume the 6AWG will be in PVC conduit , so at the PVC entrance box , just use a Blue wire nut or Solder/Tape the splice from #12 to #6 AWG

Hi Henry,

I guess my question then is what constitutes for a PVC entrance box? I having trouble envisioning how I make a weather-tight connection from the plug-in connector on the back of the PV panel to the box. I thought about soldering the wires as you mentioned along with using a blue wire nut, but I wasn't sure if that met NEC code. That's why I was considering some form of terminal block.

Yes, you are correct, I will be using PVC conduit back to the house from the rack.

Thanks,

Alan

The Entrace Box , which I'm sure is the wrong name is typically an LNB , that has two or more round opening for the PVC pipe/fittings and a seperate cover with a gasket. The can be as small , just bigger than the pipe it connects too , or as big as you need , by using PVC work boxes and drilling holes as need be ... A trip to Home depot electrical department will answer your questions ... Also , wire nuts , in a protected enviroment are code compliant.


Heres two examples

http://www.solar-guppy.com/Solar4.jpg
http://www.solar-guppy.com/GP_DEBUG.JPG

Thanks Henry!

Just curious if any overcurrent protection is required when wired like this. Henry - you found those boxes at Home Depot? If any like that at our local stores, they're well hidden. I'm going to be needing some like that!

The Current is the same regardless of the number of panels in series and the fuse/breaker is at the inverters combiner board.

AJ was just wondering how to transistion from 12 awg MC connecters to the 6 awg home run wire , wire nut are code compliant in a sealed box/lnb

Look in the home depot electrical department where they have all the grey pvc parts ...

I've never seen the grey work boxes in our local stores... have to ask if they could order some up.

I have a question on combining Sanyo HIT 167 or 180 panels in an array with the Suntie.

My array will be organized as either a 2x9 or 3x6 physically. Since each panel has an MPP of 51-54 volts, all panels will have to be in parallel. Since the combiner box in the Suntie will accept six strings, I want to combine three panels in parallel and bring one pair of #6 to the Suntie. Each of the six strings will be a total of less than 10 amps which I understand in within the limits of the Suntie. Will it be proper to combine three panels in parallel without individual fuses on each panel, or will I have to fuse each panel?

To be code complaint , you need to fuse/breaker each panel at the point they are combined .. So on the roof , you will need a combinor box.