ProMaster City roof rack, pv, solar water, fan

[VanTalk00]

The roof rack on my build is pretty much finished.  Here are some pix.  A youtube video explains the construction.

front view

rack frame

rack with tubes

top view

other top view

 

[JohnnyM]

Nice work!

That is just beautiful -- I wish my stuff were that neat.

Way ta go

Johnny

 

[maki2]

Jim, it is looking great. You have put a lot of effort into the design and construction.

But eventually because you are going to be connecting and disconnecting those solar panels fairly often you should consider changing to a much better type of connector that will give you a superior quality reliable connection that is still easy to engage and disengage but won't come apart even a little bit if a power cord gets pulled on or from vibrations. Those fittings are "Anderson" power pole. Here is a good company to get them from. You will need to decide the amperage rating you need for your system. https://powerwerx.com/anderson-power-powerpole-sb-connectors
It is also a good plug system for connecting your portable fridge to 12 volt power. The 12volt accessory type of plugs that come on those fridges are not very reliable connections and portable fridges are fussy about having good connections.

 

[VanTalk00]

I actually hate those MC4 pv connectors and would change them in a heartbeat for something easier to work with and more secure.  Can you be a little more specific?  Are these the connectors you're talking about?

https://powerwerx.com/anderson-powerpole-connectors-15amp-unassembled

It's not clear from the diagram how they work.

Thanks!

 

[highdesertranger]

I use Anderson Power Poles for a lot of things. there are hundreds of you tube videos about how they work, how to install them, etc, etc. keep in mind Anderson's are not waterproof. they do make a boot that makes them somewhat water resistant.

MC4's are waterproof, I really don't see why people hate the MC4 connectors.

highdesertranger

 

[bullfrog]

I don't like taking the MC4s apart, even with the tool I still have a hard time but I don't have much practice so that just might be the problem!

 

[highdesertranger]

taking them apart is not the easiest thing to do but it's not the hardest either. I do it without a tool. highdesertranger

 

[bullfrog]

If it was easy they probably wouldn't be waterproof! LOL!!!

 

[maki2]

the Andersons have an easy to insert and remove clip that will hold the two end connectors together.
https://powerwerx.com/powerpole-connector-retention-clip.

Waterproof connections are of course great to have but the reality is that in RV parks and other places where you plug in to the 110 volt power those connections are not water proofed either. Water resistant covers will suffice.