kelabar
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Post by kelabar on Sept 15, 2020 16:32:09 GMT 10
I have a storage battery under the bonnet in a vehicle. Usual procedure is to connect two PWM solar panels to it along with a 600W inverter. Currently have an Anderson plug permanently wired to the small (6mm?) NB terminals but it is flopping around loose. One panel is connected to this. The second panel and the inverter both use alligator clips. This works but is a pain. My desired setup is to have a 3-way splitter directly wired to the battery and permanently mounted in the engine bay. This would be always powered and have three connectors for Anderson plugs so the required number of plugs can just be clicked in. Something like this: But this wiring is a bit messy and it is not very dustproof. Ideally there would be a sealed block with three connectors in it that could be firmly mounted in the engine bay. It would use one common feed for all the connectors. And have dustcaps. Does anything like this exist? These are a few examples from a search. Neither are very rugged IMO. Also saw this one. Anyone know if they are all connected to each other? Not the best but may be an option. At this stage it looks like I'll need to make up one like the first image and mount it in a junction box or something and hinge the junction box lid for easy access. Any other ideas? Ideally looking for one wire to connect the battery and connector with three easily accessed plugs coming out of the (fairly) dustproof connector.
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Post by Joey on Sept 15, 2020 18:16:28 GMT 10
Are the rubber dust caps for the anderson plugs not sufficient enough to keep the dust out? Only drama with them inside a box, is that when the wires are plugged in then dust can get in sort of defeating the idea.
Anderson plugs are very durable and hard wearing, hence why they are used all the place on mine sites for jump start terminals.
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kelabar
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Post by kelabar on Sept 15, 2020 20:28:24 GMT 10
Dust is the bane of my existence. It builds up on everything and I really don't like washing down electrics even if they have been waterproofed. The plugs will only be used when the vehicle is parked. It is when driving that the dust covers everything. So if the connectors are sealed away then they will keep clean. Yeah, they probably don't need this level of protection but it makes things easier, cleaner and more compact. I have seen the dust/water covers for the plugs (there are a few different types for front and back) but am not sure how effective they are. And looping the doubled wires from plug to plug probably won't do much for their effectiveness. Maybe goop them up where the seal isn't good. Dunno. I also like the idea of having a fixed feed (busbar is the jargon maybe?) for all three connectors. Much simpler with less wiring. I use fuse blocks of this type and they are excellent. Was hoping there is something similar for Anderson plugs. I did find these in two or three plug sizes but they spread out too much. Stacked would be more compact but stacked ones only come in twin plug format AFAIK.
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Post by Joey on Sept 16, 2020 8:33:28 GMT 10
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kelabar
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Posts: 399
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Post by kelabar on Sept 16, 2020 11:10:44 GMT 10
Nice, thanks. A few options there. Maybe stack three of the last one or have three of the flush mounts coming out of a junction box. They also have these but currently out of stock: Not sure but it seems like you can strip the wire and screw it in place, not needing to crimp or solder it. Could be handy for testing or low amp usage.
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kelabar
Senior Member
Posts: 399
Likes: 469
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Post by kelabar on Oct 14, 2020 11:15:51 GMT 10
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