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Tidying up hobby size solar controller connections.

Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2023 10:38 pm
by Mr Gus
This has puzzled me for a long time but not formed into proper thoughts..

Where solar charge controllers are concerned...

Why do we rely on a mere screw to hold cable firmly in place? ..why no secondary clamp? (such as holding the cable on a 3 pin plug)

I hate the idea on my hobby controllers of just stuffing the bare cable in & screwing down, compared to other steps taken such as mc4 connectors elsewhere in the chain.

Is there a solid bar insert that can be used available to which I can solder cable strand to & do a better finish?


Banana plugs for hi-fi end to end, not so for solar. 🤔

Hope I've not asked this before!?

Re: Tidying up hobby size solar controller connections.

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2023 3:45 am
by Stinsy
A screw terminal is perfect for forming a permanent or semi-permanent electrical connection, ferrules are becoming standard for screw terminals on stranded cables. Screw terminals are being superseded by lever (or push-in) terminals. However none of these are designed to carry the weight of a heavy cable. The cable should be supported by appropriate clips.