Quote:
Originally Posted by akmacs
Fortunately those temps don't happen much in the Anchorage area over the winter and not at all some years Because I don't know the location of the controller but wouldn't it be easier for access to use a connector of some type inside rather than the roof?
|
MC4s are a common weatherproof connector for solar panels. The best location for such a connector is near the panel, so that it's easier to replace the panel if necessary. No need to pull any wiring or reseal an entry point.
They mount the controller on the face of an interior overhead cabinet, but the exact location differs depending on the trailer model. The connections to the controller are screw terminals on the back. You wouldn't want to unscrew them unless you were replacing the controller or the entire wire. All you're trying to achieve here is to isolate the panel from the controller, since it's still producing electricity and sending it to a controller that has nowhere to put it.
That brings up another issue, with different recommendations depending on whom you ask - and that is whether or not to cover the panel when disconnecting it. I'm on the side of covering it, if only as a safety measure to make it stop producing power, and eliminate any chance of electrical shock. I've no idea if it hurts the panel to leave it uncovered when disconnected, but I know that covering it won't.