Just saw this in 2023. You're knowledge time and helpfulness lives on!

@RVwithTito

Жыл бұрын

Great. Thanks! Glad it's still helpful. Just made a bunch the other day :)

My husband and I just made several of these connectors thanks to your great video. Thanks.

What a great tip, Brian. The most elegant DIY projects aren't always the most involved, but those that provide a professional result for less money. And this is one of the best of all, where the end result actually exceeds the quality of a factory-built part by customizing the cable length for each application. Clean, easy and better than the more expensive option. Perfect!

LOVE the Simplicity of your teaching videos! Not too fast, not too slow. Keep up the good work!

Note that the weather proofing insert between connector body and connector nut has a preferred orientation i.e. the soft rubber goes toward the body side of the connector not the nut. Also it needs to be rotated on the cable while applying light pressure against the body until the correct alignment occurs and seal drops into correct position. The connector nut can now be tightened knowing the seal will expand correctly against cable and body completing the weather proof seal. Best video on this I've seen.

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the additional info!

@DougFenrich

4 жыл бұрын

@@RVwithTito HOW WELL IS YOUR SOLAR PANELS HOLDING UP? I just found some flat roll of these solar panels on CL and they seem easy to put on... just glue??? ??? ???

Thank you Tito for taking the time to make this video and burning through some mc4 materials in the process. I've just purchased my first set of panels and plan to make my own cable runs just as you've demonstrated. Thanks!

Thanks from the UK, very helpful.... it's appreciated.

@RVwithTito

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped.

This is exactly what I did. Way cheaper to make your own and it looks better as well. Great Job! -Thomas

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

Yup. Once you have the parts and tools on hand, then it's easy to just make what you need.

I watched this video at the perfect time. I was just about to order solar cables to install panels on the roof of my van. I will just order the wire and connectors and make my own so they are custom sized. Thanks for making this look so easy.

Put the cap part on before you crimp it makes a "slightly" easier job. Thanks for the great video.

I just stumbled across your videos while looking into solar vids and you're so easy to understand, i feel like i've struck gold

@RVwithTito

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you found the channel. Welcome!

We're definitely thinking of doing solar on our new old RV. Your videos are a great help!

I'd never have tried without this great video. Thanks! AND, what a great campsite!

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bob. It's pretty simple as you've seen.

I think this is the first time I have ever seen a video with more than 20 thumbs up without a single thumbs down. Thank you! This was informative and also a very well made video.

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it 👍👍

THANK YOU! I followed your instructions and every cable came out perfect. I had been nervous about making my own MC4 cables after reading the learning curve in making good crimps. A $15 MC4 crimp tool (looks similar to the one you used in the video), plus your instructions made even the very first crimp come out nice and tight. Was cheaper to make my own cables, even after buying a cheapo crimp tool, than buying pre-made cables that would be too long anyways. Really nice to be able to cut the cables the exact length, making for a much tidier and cleaner-looking install.

@RVwithTito

Жыл бұрын

That's great! Nice job. Now you'll always just buy bulk cable. I just made a few the other day too.

I don't often comment....but you are a good presenter! Well done. I am presently hooking up a new solar panels at our cottage and had not worked with MC4 connectors before. NOW I KNOW!

Very clean job. Thanks for the demonstration. Keep Having Fun.

Another great, no nonsense, very useful how to video from you Tito. Thanks

You are a natural teacher! I look forward to your videos

Hi Brian. You make the most useful and technically competent RV videos on KZread. Thanks for sharing!

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Joe. You are too kind.

What a great backdrop for your videos! It's hard to ignore all that beautiful scenery behind you and pay attention to what you are demonstrating :-) I always enjoy your videos and learn a lot. Thanks

@RVwithTito

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback. Sorry for the distraction :)

I always learn something from your channel. Keep sharing. Thank you.

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Joe. Glad to share.

Those people who were crimping against the cable sleeve and not the inner (which causes the coupling to sit too far down in the housing), are very thankful for this video. Not me of course, I always know exactly what I'm doing without reading any instructions...

hey, thanks for this video. it was good, you talked very well into the camera, and had very informative info. i had bought most of this stuff to do my own rooftop solar stuff ( and havn't got to the install yet) but needed a little more info. like you said , i need to do my own stuff to keep it all clean and overall save money. again the way you narrated into the camera was good compared to many other videos where everyone stalls a lot, no important info and says um a lot. good job thanks

@RVwithTito

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great feedback. I'm glad you found the info helpful. Good luck with your project!

Hahaha! I love it when you say that this is great “if you want to create your own Solar System”. Really great video. Thanks.

@RVwithTito

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Great job explaining that... very Professional. Thank you.

@RVwithTito

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

Another great video and great timing as I am about to do the same with our RV but on a smaller scale.

Great video for me, as I'm wiring up my rig for solar. I had no idea how to do that! Thanks!

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

+Steve Knobler Pretty easy with the right crimper.

Hi Brian, This video is great advice. Although you may need to buy a tool or two I have found you will save money in the long run. Thumbs up and happy travels, Lou

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

+RV Habit Thanks Lou!

Fantastic. You answered all my questions. I have old panels with c3s, so putting on mc4s today.

@RVwithTito

2 жыл бұрын

Great. Glad it helped

Wow 😮 Thank you Tito that’s what I’m going to do when I Upgrade my system next month. Super helpful...

Very helpful video. I'm just getting started with a modest solar set and your video's have been great!

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

That's great to hear. Good luck with your projects.

Thanks so much Tito - I'm actually sitting in my Sprinter on Goodyear Lake in upper NY state following your directions - its working!!!!! Warmest regards Jennie

@RVwithTito

4 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Good luck.

Was looking for this explanation ahead of purchasing the bits n bobs just to be sure, great quality and beautiful backdrop for a video.

@RVwithTito

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Terrific info Brian and that looks like an amazing campground!

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yeah we really enjoyed it there. It seemed like a cool spot to shoot a video. The rest of the park was just so so, but we really enjoyed that campsite and climbing around on the rocks.

great tip (i think): for my portable solar setup, mc4's were the bane of my existence, needing the tool to get them apart every time i tore down. i considered andersons and sae's, but then lightbulb idea: i took a utility knife and chopped off the locking prongs on the mc4's, so now i can easily push together and pull apart, while maintaining the waterproof and tight connection.

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

That's one solution :)

@dcsj6837

6 жыл бұрын

@Nunya- Do you leave cables affixed to your battery? I'm getting a portable setup (suitcase) and I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this so I'm not constantly pulling my battery tray out. Also what length of cable run is reasonable without losing much power through the cable.

Tito, this was very helpful. I am a neophyte with solar panels but plan to help install them on my MH. Thank you.

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped you out.

Thanks for your video. I'm going to change my panels from Series to Parallel and need to make some jumpers. Your way is the most efficient!!

@RVwithTito

5 жыл бұрын

Pretty easy to make these. Good luck.

Thanks , I finally re-made my connecting cables from alligator clips to MC-4 for my two 100 Watt Solar Panels on the patio . Your video helped ! And my one remaining operational Goal Zero 1000 Watt Yeti (out of three) was happy getting the increased input ! If you know someone that can help me ' wake-up ' the other two Goal Zero 1000 watt Yeti's . . . . (non-op / won't wake-up) would be so happy ! ! ! Thanks , take care , RH

@RVwithTito

3 жыл бұрын

Great job 👍👍

Well put together. Have a wonderful day.

Best location for a cable assembly video ever :)

Thanks for the concise explanation!

@RVwithTito

5 ай бұрын

You're welcome.

Don't twist the connector when tightening the water proof gland you are twisting the connector inside. Tighten the gland on the wire insulation so you get a compression of the rubber seal without twisting the wire.

thank you sir, for sharing this very informative video. now I know how to make one...Thanks be to God.

Looks good. Two things (I have seen others do this): Soldering the crimped connection point and using adhesive heat shrink over the connector and wire when done. May have to use two different sizes of adhesive heat shrink tubing since the size difference of the MC4 connector and 10 AWG solar wire is wide. I did that with my 12-2 landscaping wire solar cables and they have weathered fine. Hope all is well guys. Nice looking video and backdrop! 🏜

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the suggestions Chris.

@TechMech42

6 жыл бұрын

Agreed Chris. I usually solder all crimp connections if feasible to protect against corrosion, and always choose heat shrink over electrical tape.

@sammyflorczak8800

5 жыл бұрын

You shouldn't solder crimps as this can cause failure in the connection.

@sammyflorczak8800

5 жыл бұрын

@Wick Disaster How did you get "never solder anything" from "shouldn't solder crimps"? haha. If you solder crimps then the solder flows up the wire and reduces the flexibility. It will then be more likely to fail at that strand/solder junction. My understanding is that it is very bad practice.

@sammyflorczak8800

5 жыл бұрын

@Wick Disaster Are you even replying to my comment? Because what you're literally saying makes no sense..

Excellent short presentation

Merci pour cette vidéo très instructive. Merci pour le partage.

Thanks, have the mc4 tool and had no idea that it was also an opener; thx.

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

At first glance I thought you meant bottle opener. Haha.

Crisp clear video and very instructive steps!

@RVwithTito

4 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped. Thanks for the feedback.

Great video! Lots of close up camera shots... thanks.

Darn you made that simple. I''m starting to put solar panels at my house and bought a bunch of MC-4's. Figured I'd try one to make sure I could do it and being a ham radio person, thought it would be like one of our ham cables. I've worked and worked and said a few cuss words, hope GOD forgives me. You made that so simple I'm ashamed to be called a ham. Thanks for such a great video, appreciate it..

@RVwithTito

4 жыл бұрын

No worries. I won't out you to the Am Radio peeps. Glad to help :)

Thank you for this video, and for showing closeups of the crimping tool in use. They have two videos on the Renogy site that are pretty awful and unclear!

@RVwithTito

4 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Glad to hear it helped.

Superb and simple presentation.

I learned things I didn't know! Thanks!

Very helpful. Thank you.

Thanks for another great how to video!

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it. Hope you give it a try.

Nice and simple. I am gonna make my own cables. Keep it up

@RVwithTito

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do!

Nice, effective demo...thanks !

Thanks for the great info. Jack

Excellent tip! I make my own Ethernet cables for the same reason.

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I do the same with my CAT5.

Great video! Thanks!

Exactly the info I was looking for. Thanks!

@RVwithTito

2 жыл бұрын

You bet!

Great video. Very good explained. I like more information about the box you use to test panels. Thanks.

Great instructional video. Thanks!

@RVwithTito

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Pretty simple isn't it?

Thanks Brian.

thanks mate, great advice for a solar charger newbie, cheers

I would love for you to show how you made the tester box. Getting ready to install my Solar Panels in the next couple months.

@alecbosse6425

4 жыл бұрын

I would love to see that as well.

@thamer9600

3 жыл бұрын

Also me 🙏🙏♥️

@warkennj65

3 жыл бұрын

Same with me.

@RadiantJasmin

Жыл бұрын

I'd would like to see it as well

Thanks for this video. If you are using a protective cover over the MC4 cables, please let us know what that is?

Thank you. Very easy to install

Very valuable demo! Thank you!

@RVwithTito

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

very helpful, thanks.

Great video. Thanks for the help.

Great Video, may I suggest explaining that the Female metal connector goes into the plastic Male housing when assembled. And vise versa for the other side Thanks

@Mavivieos

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for clearing my confusion.

That was a good video, thanks. I am going to be wiring in my solar to the charge controller in the next week or so and I now realize how much easier this is going to be then I thought. What about showing us your solar panel tester? I nicked the back of one of my panels with a drill bit the other day and I would like to be able to test and compare the out put.

Merry Christmas to You and Yours.

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

+Hoss Thank you so much for the wishes. Merry Christmas to you too!

Thank you! Bill

Great and informative as always - thanks :)

is it ik to remove the little red rubber ring on a mc4 connecter to make it snap in better?

Boom. That was a quick $100 to Amazon on the recommended wiring and tools. (I hope you get a commission off those links!) I'm happy to know that the job will be done right. And when it's time to relax and have some fun, there will be no worries about the solar infrastructure and wiring. This is my second install on a recently purchased RV with the components from the original installation and a few major upgrades to Battleborn and Victron. Buh bye Interstate and Morningstar. Yeah Baby!! Retirement is on the horizon......

@RVwithTito

3 жыл бұрын

Haha Boom! Yes I do make a small commission on those. Thanks! I've gone through the same transition and always have solar cable and the parts to make cables. 👍👍

After watching your video I purchased order mc4 connectors on eBay, I guess I got a really good deal, I bought 20 pairs that's 40 connectors the 20 pairs for only $12! I just received them in the mail a few days ago! I guess I suggest look on eBay for cheaper connectors because you said you got 5 pairs for $9 that's a lot of money on Amazon, just a suggestion check eBay if you're buying new connectors later,

@RVwithTito

5 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a pretty good deal. Thanks!

Very helpful, thank you.

@RVwithTito

3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome.

Great Vid, thanks for that!

Nice clear instructions, thanks for sharing.

@RVwithTito

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Added to my RV folder for future reference. Awesome video.

@RVwithTito

6 жыл бұрын

Glad you found it helpful. Thanks.

Just for your information, you are supposed to use both tools when tightening the compression glands one is to hold the body of the connector, as you were doing, and then you use the open serrated end of the other one on the nut and tighten it until the jaws flex open and it slips round the nut then you have the correct torque. Tightening by hand is inconsistent and not nearly tight enough to ensure it is weatherproof.

Great vid! thanks for sharing. I'm currently working on a solar set up. I need about 100cm outside cable, then 500cm inside to the controller, I was thinking to use 2.5 speaker cable for inside . What connectors would you recommend , they dont have to be waterproof as that part would be inside.

Great video. Thank you.

@RVwithTito

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

Thank you a lot, very useful.

Great video!

thanks man ! it was a good and informative video

Thank you 👍

Hi, is there a video of what to do with cables and connectors on top of an RV? I'm new to this and I'm gonna add another 100W panel.

Tito, Thank You very much!

@RVwithTito

3 жыл бұрын

Welcome!

Thanks for the info!

@RVwithTito

3 жыл бұрын

You bet!

Excellent video on making a MC4 connection. Thanks Brian :-) Is there a way to take out the pin again from the MC4 connector housing after it has been inserted? I crimped the wire too long inside and now it doesn't snug fit with a click!

I REALLY want to know more about your Tester Box!

Great! Thank you very much.

Can you make a comment, or a video, about using this kit to make solar panel extensions? I've got a couple folding panels and portable power supply on the way and I want to make a 20-30' extension to go from the panels to the power supply. If I have a branch connector, I still need two cables to go to the panels right?

any idea if #10 tip is different than #8? PV commercial project Im using #8 for conduit fill, ampacity- but the inverter takes only #10 DC input. Perhaps need to splice to #10? thanks!

At about 4:50 i was like why not just use pliers??? The I saw how it cured and wrapped that connector. And I went Ahhhh! Man I love learning stuff :)