Solar Combiner Boxes

[a64pilot]

Does anyone use them to connect their panels? If not, why not?
Seem to be a simple, waterproof solution that would keep me from having to knock up something myself.
I need to connect four 250W panels in parallel to my Outback 80 and these combiner boxes seem to be the simple answer, some come with MC-4 connectors and fused or CB disconnects and even with some form of lightning protection.

[ErikFinn]

Hi a64 and thanks for bringing up this subject. While I unfortunately do not have first hand experience about combiner boxes for solar pv aboard boats, but I wanted to comment and write my thoughts. And I want to learn more and I'm hoping for pros to pitch in..

I have been reading just about all solar related threads on CF during the last few years and I don't recall anyone EVER talking about these things. Why? I believe the main reasons are cost and space. In a house you have plenty of space and the installation would most likely contain multiple panels making a CB a necessity, maybe also a legal requirement? But aboard a yacht? Well most yachties are so stingy they would never ever consider a 120 buck CB after they bought a 50 buck controller off of ebay "I just paid 50 bucks for a bloody controller, why the %@&₩% would I pay 100 plus bucks for some stupid box??". But someone who appreciates the advanced features and the quality of say an Outback or a Midnite would have a totally different approach.. But then there is the space requirement also..

My understanding is that for use aboard a yacht the CB offers an excellent solution to connect your multiple panels in parallel as a controller alone might simply not have (large) enough connectors for connecting multiple panels, a CB would make the task easy, safe and tidy.

Few links:

Outback Power Inc. - FLEXware Combiner Boxes

MidNite Solar Products

Furrhermore, I don't recall anyone having talked about Surge Protection Devices here at CF, regarding something like in the video attached below. Midnite have many excellent and professional videos on Youtube and I sincerely recommend anyone interested to take some time and view some:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vkeFYu...#watch_actions

Disclaimer, I am not a pro or otherwise knowledgeable regarding this subject, and I do not have any association with the above companies. But I do look forward to constructive discussion about the subjects. Thank you.

[ErikFinn]

I found member with a CB here:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1968206

[a64pilot]

This specifically was the one I was looking at
https://www.ebay.com/itm/131954740394
Not $100, but being waterproof and pretty small and having lightning protection, which may help or may not I'm sure, but it seemed to answer a few problems and allows me to plug my panels directly into the thing.

[Training Wheels]

Why not just use the multibranch connectors?

[a64pilot]

I have four 250W panels, I don't know what the losses are by using the multi connectors, and then all you have is fewer MC4 connectors and have not connected them and have no protection etc.
I was going to just get a couple of waterproof boxes to terminate the wiring, but think a combiner box is superior