Klinky

Hi guys,
Just an update - I finally got some time to use the megger to insulation test my PV array. It failed instantly on 250v so there was an obvious problem. I climbed up on the roof & after unbolting one side of each panel I could lift up the side of the panel containing the connectors. What I found wasn't a pretty sight. 2 strings of 6 x 420w 36VOC panels, wired in series. The MC4 connectors between each panel were fine but the extension cables coming into the house were just wrapped wire with insulation tape & both the positive & negative connections were completely burnt up on one of the strings & obviously making contact with the chromadeck tin roofing! I'm going to get some MC4 connectors & join them correctly but in the meantime I soldered the connections (with solder & a lighter) & covered with heat shrink tubing. Everything is working perfectly now & no more faults on the inverter!
 
Thanks for your input, I probably would have broken down & called out a solar guy if it wasn't for your suggestions! If you ever find yourselves in sunny Mutorashanga, Zimbabwe, right next to the middle of nowhere, I owe you a beer!

Hi guys,
Just an update - I finally got some time to use the megger to insulation test my PV array. It failed instantly on 250v so there was an obvious problem. I climbed up on the roof & after unbolting one side of each panel I could lift up the side of the panel containing the connectors. What I found wasn't a pretty sight. 2 strings of 6 x 420w 36VOC panels, wired in series. The MC4 connectors between each panel were fine but the extension cables coming into the house were just wrapped wire with insulation tape & both the positive & negative connections were completely burnt up on one of the strings & obviously making contact with the chromadeck tin roofing! I'm going to get some MC4 connectors & join them correctly but in the meantime I soldered the connections (with solder & a lighter) & covered with heat shrink tubing. Everything is working perfectly now & no more faults on the inverter!
 
Thanks for your input, I probably would have broken down & called out a solar guy if it wasn't for your suggestions! If you ever find yourselves in sunny Mutorashanga, Zimbabwe, right next to the middle of nowhere, I owe you a beer!

Hi guys,
Just an update - I finally got some time to use the megger to insulation test my PV array. It failed instantly on 250v so there was an obvious problem. I climbed up on the roof & after unbolting one side of each panel I could lift up the side of the panel containing the connectors. What I found wasn't a pretty sight. 2 strings of 6 x 420w 36VOC panels, wired in series. The MC4 connectors between each panel were fine but the extension cables coming into the house were just wrapped wire with insulation tape & both the positive & negative connections were completely burnt up on one of the strings & obviously making contact with the chromadeck tin roofing! I'm going to get some MC4 connectors & join them correctly but in the meantime I soldered the connections (with solder & a lighter) & covered with heat shrink tubing. Everything is working perfectly now & no more faults on the inverter!
 
Thanks for your input, I probably would have broken down & called out a solar guy if it wasn't for your suggestions! If you ever find yourselves in sunny Mutorashanga, Zimbabwe, right next to the middle of nowhere, I owe you a beer!

Hi guys,
Just an update - I finally got some time to use the megger to insulation test my PV array. It failed instantly on 250v so there was an obvious problem. I climbed up on the roof & after unbolting one side of each panel I could lift up the side of the panel containing the connectors. What I found wasn't a pretty sight. 2 strings of 6 x 420w 36VOC panels, wired in series. The MC4 connectors between each panel were fine but the extension cables coming into the house were just wrapped wire with insulation tape & both the positive & negative connections were completely burnt up on one of the strings & obviously making contact with the chromadeck tin roofing! I'm going to get some MC4 connectors & join them correctly but in the meantime I soldered the connections (with solder & a lighter) & covered with heat shrink tubing. Everything is working perfectly now & no more faults on the inverter!
 
Thanks for your input, I probably would have broken down & called out a solar guy if it wasn't for your suggestions! If you ever find yourselves in sunny Mutorashanga, Zimbabwe, right next to the middle of nowhere, I owe you a beer!