MC3 panels - MC4 connectors

[yellowvanman]

Just playing around with a starter kit and the panels have MC3 connectors I have a load of MC4 connectors and crimper. Is it OK to cut off the MC3 connectors on the panels and change to MC4?

I know i can get convertors but thats more cost!

 

[SolarCity]

Yeah, chop them off and put MC4s on. It's what we do all the time.

 

[SRE]

I asked our wholesalers about this cos it seemed a sensible solution - they reckon it voids the warranty ......

 

[SolarCity]

Hmm, I'd not considered that. Any excuse for them, I suppose.

 

[SRE]

I'd like to see them try to void the warranty but I can't afford to take the risk! Bought MC4 crimpers yesterday - £94 incl next day delivery, cheaper at Virtual Village but longer delivery time and I need them NOW!!!

 

[pembrokeshire]

MC4 seem better , the £200 MC3 kit looks like a "whatever the market will stand" price .We chop off and fit MC4's where needed .

 

[ESP]

What panels are you using? We've only ever come across MC3 on Sharp NU235 panels, which as far as I know are being discontinued now. Personally I find the MC3's cack and outdated but if it voids the warranties Id avoid cutting them

 

[SRE]

What panels are you using? We've only ever come across MC3 on Sharp NU235 panels, which as far as I know are being discontinued now. Personally I find the MC3's cack and outdated but if it voids the warranties Id avoid cutting them

Sharp 245's and the 180's in fact all the Sharp's I think - unless someone else knows different.. Just installed 2 x 3.9kkpw 245's with MC3's

 

[pembrokeshire]

Yes all Sharp here so far .......better the devil you know

 

[JNimports]

£49.99 + P&P for an MC4 crimper from us guys. No hard sell jsut the best pricing on the market. And the best pricing in the UK for the MC4 connectors.

Good luck with your installs !

[email protected]

 

[Markc]

Little tip.

Keep the MC3 you cut off and crimp a MC4 on to it. Next install you have your own home made converter lead.

We have, do and will cut off the MC3 as and when we need to, Sharp panels yes! or buy converter leads. OK it may give the manufacture a reason to void the warranty but only time will tell just how good these manufactures are when it comes to support regardless of what we do.

 

[SolarCity]

Little tip.
Keep the MC3 you cut off and crimp a MC4 on to it. Next install you have your own home made converter lead.

Brilliant idea!

 

[SibertSolar]

@JNimports - wow, that's extremely low pricing for your MC4 equivalent connectors. Are they TUV approved?

 

[JNimports]

The crimper does not have TUV but is extremely durable and reliable. My MC4 connectors are TUV £2.80 each and £18.99 for 10. We sell at wholesale prices.

 

[poheZ]

has anybody used sunclicks?

 

[SibertSolar]

@JNimports - sorry, I thought your price was for 10 pairs (£0.28/pair) which, of course, would be a lot cheaper than most manufacturer's costs. Apologies, that's why I asked if they were TUV approved. £2.80/pair is not a bad price I guess, compared to MC's OEM product anyway.

We also have a range of MC4 compatible connectors that we stock, including panel-mount versions. Fully TUV approved, can supply a TUV report showing mating compatibility with MC OEM connectors too if required. Our prices are also competitively priced.

@pohez - sunclix are the Pheonix Contact connectors that SMA have now incorporated into pretty much all their inverters. We can source/supply them but they are not cheap. They are designed to be a tool-less termination method and are very well engineered. Bit of a suppy issue with them in the early days of SMA adoption due to the fact that SMA pretty much secured all global stock from Pheonix to support their inverter production requirements! Not so much an issue nowadays though. Still see far more MC4 type connectors in use though. MC3 types are still phasing out but we can supply adaptor cables if anyone needs.