Solar Panel Combiner Box

[davidz71]

I have a question concerning the combiner box I received from AM Solar. I figure they are closed for the holidays and I am about to mount the combiner box under the refrigerator roof vent. I received the combiner box with 4 weatherproof strain relief connections, two of which are pictured are installed in the pictures shown. My question is, are the other two for the connecting box under the solar panel or are they for the additional one or two panels I could mount in the future?

[john hd]

is there a knock out on the panel?

if so i would say you need one on each end of the cable. and the plugs on the junction box is for future use or a larger system.

john

[davidz71]

Hi John,
Thanks for the reply. There are four knockout areas wich look to be the same size as on the combiner box. I tried to knock out one with a screwdriver while supporting the panel box from inside. You could the one I was hitting flex but would not break free. I drilled a hole in the center of one large enough for the cable but am concerned that I'm not "doing it right". Like you, I am thinking that the other two strain relief connections go onto the panel connection for support.

[john hd]

craig

if you do not have a knockout die try drilling a little larger hole until you can get a needle nose in there to rock the slug out. sometimes the slug is not cut all the way around and just indented.

short of that a hole saw works too! a uni bit in a drill works fast also.

i would use the strain relief fittings on both ends because of road vibration and the possibility of the metal edges sawing through the wires.

john

[davidz71]

You've talked me into it John. I think I have a small keyhole bit around here somewhere that may be the right size. If not I'll work it out with a drill bit and pliers.