Wiring suitcase solar panel

[jethro]

Hey guys, 
I have a 120w(60x2)Eco Worthy foldable suitcase solar panel kit with charge controller included.
The stock wiring is very small gauge,and runs to the end with cheap alligator clips. I'm not sure what gauge the wiring is. The solar panel wiring is hardwired (soldered) in the boxes on the back of each panel.  I'm wondering if I can change the wiring to mc4 cordage and solder the better wiring into the panels myself. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. 
Thanks
Jeff

 

[Trebor English]

 very small gauge,and runs to the end with cheap alligator clips

The solar panels are current limited.  You will get about 6 amps.  Replacing the wire with welding cable will give you about 6 amps.  Changing clamps for fancy connectors will give you about 6 amps.

If you had an MPPT controller that could step down a high voltage and increase the current a bit there would be a small advantage, 10%, to reducing the voltage drop.  That would allow a slight improvement while the sun is still low and the battery voltage is low. 

The long slow finishing of the charge at 14.4 volts will be unchanged.  PWM, MPPT, fat cable, it all depends on what the battery takes.  Be sure that your battery gets 14.4 volts for several hours.

 

[abnorm]

Welcome to the forum

What are you trying to charge/power...…..?

"120 watts"...…..Cut off the clips ………. add ring-terminals and attach directly to the battery (with wing nuts)…….KISS

 

[jethro]

Thank you guys so much for your replies. I thought I might add this bit of clarification. My desire is to transition to living in my Yukon. I already had this solar suitcase kit but I desire to get a better controller and install the controller inside the vehicle rather than leave it attached to the panels. I will Mount the panels on top of my vehicle. I just need longer wires to reach from the panels to inside the vehicle to the new charge controller. (Prob atl east a 30amp as I want to add more solar panels later)  The short wires that are currently being used are very short and soldered to the current panels. I guess I was just needing some advice on what would be the best wires to purchase and whether or not it would be okay for me to solder the new wiring into the existing panels after removing the old wiring. Please forgive me, as all this is new to me.  At present, all I will be using the solar for would be to charge electronic devices, such as my phone and laptop and possibly a 12volt fan or even a rooftop vent fan like a fantastic fan. Later as finances allow, I would add another 100-200w of panels and run a small compressor fridge. So I definitely need the correct wiring to add more panels at a later date. I'm sure you guys have seen these kits, but I'm attaching a couple of photos so you can see what I have. 
Thanks again for the helpful advise. 
Jeff

Ps...if the pics are pixelated please forgive me... the look so in the preview post but the forum wouldn't allow the full res pics to upload.

 

[B and C]

You would be better off selling this kit and starting from scratch. Adding more panels is not as simple as getting more and putting them in. The panels need to be matched or have separate controllers for the separate types of panels.

If you plan on have separate controllers later, you could solder to the panels BUT since you are asking if you can, I wouldn't bother. If you know your soldering skills, you already know if you can.

The two panels are wired in parallel now. You could put the splice with the new wire in a junction box on the roof. Most MC4 cables are 10 ga. The smaller the wire, the more voltage drop rou will get. My 2 100 panels on the roof are wired in series and connected to my charge controller with 10 ga wire. I couldn't fit anything bigger on the charge controller lugs.

Use the voltage drop calculator to see what your voltage will be at the end of the wire run at the controller. Remember to measure both the negative and positive wire lengths added together. Start reading here: https://www.bluesea.com/support/art...oosing_the_Correct_Wire_Size_for_a_DC_Circuit

 

[highdesertranger]

I agree with Brian. sell these and buy some bigger panels. but to answer your question yes you could put MC4 cables on it. highdesertranger

 

[Tom_M]

If this is a permanent install you do not need connectors. I would use crimped lugs to connect wires directly to panels. Install charge controller as close to your batteries as possible. This will keep the voltage drop between controller and batteries to a minimum. When you add additional panels try to get ones with the same voltage rating. I have three 12 volt panels connected in parallel, none are the same. This is working fine for me.