How To Make MC4 Connectors (For Wiring Your Camper Solar Panels)

MC4 Connectors are incredibly common on solar panels. Generally, on most solar panels, there are two wires coming off the back of the panel and terminating with a male and female MC4 connector. In order to extend these wires to reach your charge controller, you'll need to learn how to crimp MC4 connectors to make solar panel extension wires and this video will teach you how to do that.
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[@6mtzhp55]

Finally a video for how to assemble my MC4 connectors to my extension cables that doesn't go on for 5 minutes about their favorite kind of biscuit then films the assembly in a dark closet.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I do like biscuits, though.

[@coryulrich6489]

Omg, yes. You have described like 60% of my KZbin experience about content like this.

[@jesussaves6422]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@wade727nelson]

@@coryulrich6489 i.imgur.com/1IRQhxi.png

[@CheyenneRain-bh6ht]

Lmao

[@wfdTamar]

Good, but would've liked a bit on how much to strip and where the metal thing goes in the crimper.

[@wendybyrne1301]

Thanks Nate, I appreciate the simplicity of your instruction and the humor, too :)

[@banddirector24]

I wish I had seen this video before creating my BougeRV cables for my 8 RV panels (no instructions included). I wouldn't have made the mistake of putting male pins inside male connectors. Great video!

[@mywebidutube]

Male and female ends. Like the slow motion. Gives a teachable moment hidden in the middle of a science project

[@dgalloway67]

Great video! You just covered in 3:26 what many would take much longer. Short, complete and to the point. I love it. Was exactly what I was looking for as well. Thank you also for posting the links!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

[@allenmay8850]

Excellent video. I have a completed quite a few solar projects, and I have many I want to do in the future. Your video explained something I didn't know and made it simple to understand.

[@kencook2008]

Thank you. I’m actually going to put mine together today and need to make a couple short runs. Great videos.

[@ShowemRight]

Wow, you presented that in a bit over 3 minutes, and you did it all by starting at 1:20 minutes in that very short to the point video, awesome job.

[@ryanmfahey1]

Perfect timing for me. I have a Zamp SAE solar cap on my roof. The plug I have that fits it has no MC4 connectors on it, just bare wire. I was looking around last night for a Zamp compatible MC4 to SAE adapter and could find one. I woke up this morning to this video and realized I can just make one. Thanks!

[@CyberJ1]

Your video was the first search result for 'MC4 connector', and I am thankful for that. Very clear and concise instructions. Many thanks! Solid thumbs up from me.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

[@carltaylor4942]

Thanks. Clear and direct instructions. Just exactly what I need!

[@TimothyEdgin]

Thank you! I re-cabled my broken solar system and now it works. Electricians seems to be lost. I have now done it all-including taking a 240v hit that didn't hurt all that bad-just numbed the arm for an hour or so. So thanks for helping correct bad electricians work.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it helped

[@natek3954]

Wow! I’m glad you’re okay!

[@TimothyEdgin]

@@natek3954 It buffed out fine. Real men don't mind taking a 240v hit every now and then, it gives us a greater appreciation for the finer things in life, like breathing and not being dead. You would be amazed how much more you appreciate breathing after a nice knock the shit out of you shock....Gives you a whole new take on life. /s Please do not shock yourself to find meaning in life-it does not work....as soon as the memory of your near death experience recedes you are back to boring old world. Then you have to shock yourself again with more electricity to appreciate living again. Vicious circle. You will be doing 600 volts@ 200 AMPS in no time at al which gets really expensive if you know what I mean; I don't recommend it at all...The come down is not worth the high...

[@ucanlearnimmarketing8903]

Excellent series. In 3:26 minutes, you give more info than the other videos that are 99% brag and 1% show it to me and go on for 15 to 35 minutes. Well done, well done!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

[@escapefromzombieisland3690]

So much time between when I last did some, I had to watch another video about it. Even forgot what the tool looks like... Now I'll be able to find it. Don't get old.

[@BudBetz]

Great video Nate! You are such an articulate individual. I like it! Your videos are always top shelf!!! I’m a fan!!!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey Bud Betz, No problem! Glad it helped! :)

[@rustyscrib6071]

Thank you, you explained it perfectly!!

[@rjl9707]

Thank you for this explanation, simple yet necessary to understand...; I bought 50' x2 black/red 10ga wires to perform my own connections. Thanks.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

[@lavernedofelmier6496]

Short and to the point with a bonus on the birds and bees. Thanks

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@redlefevre5448]

Well done series, im binging the whole Playlist. I'm competent in wiring but I genuinely appreciate your videos as you've taught me a few things. Thanks!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

[@Alpha-ms9nj]

Another great and timely tutorial. I ordered those parts and cables to make another set of SCC wires for a separate part of my house and switching the connectors and using the right pins would have thrown me off. Thanks for all of these great and informative videos for noobs like me.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it helped

[@miloh.9194]

Your videos are always so helpful! Thank you for all the great content!!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

[@livingthebestlife8]

I have to tell you your video made clear about the male and female wire thingy- I did not pay attention to that and just put long and short ones mixed up after an hour to do serials and parallel for my solar panels NO light on my mppt. It was extremely frustrating. Now I have to cut all of them out and redo them all PLUS another shipment from amazon for new connectors. Thanks very much for this very important point. Also about how much wire to strip. quarter to 1/2 inch -

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Ah, yes. That's an easy one to get backwards. I actually fixed a system over the weekend with the same issue.

[@Deeceesadventures]

I don’t have a camper but I watch the whole series to give you some views and hopefully learn something. I usually try to comment a few times on videos I appreciate

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey DEECEE's ADVENTURES, Thanks so much! Cheers!

[@xlamontx]

Good stuff, as always. Thanks Nate.

[@aaronyoungs4870]

this video was exactly what i needed - thank you so much

[@adam091080]

Thank you really! For someone who has no experience with electrics and is doing her van- connecting a power station instead of doing full electrics - I found I still needed to know a few things - like this! at the very last minute 48 hours before leaving and hooking up the fridge with essential special Katkins frozen food the nearly toothless rescue animal companion! whew!

[@coreyhattenstein]

Son when one cable loves another cable something special happens. 😁

[@Curtster1962]

Exactly what I needed and not a bunch of extra fluff…. Gracias!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

[@sicardmd]

Thank you. This was simple and clear.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nosaltiesandrooshere7488]

👍 Danke fürs Hochladen! 👍 Thanks for uploading!

[@uet7417]

Good info in a short amount of time, well done and thank you!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks! 🙂🙌

[@zephyr59710]

Great, in your video we can see the right male in which side, thank you !

[@TheMcBrowns]

SUPER HELPFUL - Thank you!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

[@Mystictours]

Thank you, most helpful!

[@guedi55]

Quick and concise - thanks

[@winginitwithjohn8451]

Binge watching, these are great videos. Thanks

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

[@charlesa6280]

Thank you so much brother. This is very helpful, very informative. 👍👍👍

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

[@travisadams4470]

This is exactly what I needed... and I giggled

[@mikemewes1250]

Great video, very easy to follow.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@legacyfather]

Bro your content is gold, thanks!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

[@woodwalking7577]

I agree with the other comments, too the point, clearly explained & filmed, thank you.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

You're very welcome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@nuance2317]

Liking and subscribed. Timely content as I am building my first solar project. 🙂🙃🙂🙃🤓

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Welcome aboard! Hope this stuff is helpful! 😀👍

[@leotheliontruthseeker1013]

great knowledge thanks for the help

[@CraigThorne]

Back in the day, the gender of the connector, was based on the conducting that was used. BTW i've subscribed, and love these vids. Nice job!

[@jeffgriggs6470]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

No problem, glad it helped. 😀👍

[@ScarmackProductions]

Excellent video and love the humor

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thank you kindly!

[@Bubba6399]

LOL! Wait male and female ends? Huh?? Love these videos you make. Very clear and professional. Thank you!

[@bradfordpalmer2298]

This very well may be enlightening for "confused" young individuals. Lmao.

[@Bubba6399]

@@bradfordpalmer2298 lol! Gotta start somewhere.

[@samisrour3129]

Thx lot for this tutorial dear

[@ProfessorMurray]

Nice video, thanks.

[@captbobsadventures4420]

Great job

[@theangrycamper]

You are a great teacher!!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks!

[@davidhopkins]

Thanks. Super clear.

[@Raul28153]

thanks. I was going to chop the connectors off my solar panel and start over with connections I've used before. The link you have even tells us what wire to use; which is kind of a threshold matter for using these things.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it helped!

[@Electronzap]

Good demonstration

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks! 🙂🙌

[@TheUnofficialMaker]

Short 'n Sweet, Informative, thanks.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

[@everybodyzuncle303]

Great and informative video!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

[@Buszzbait69]

Thanks for all the Videos on Solar..Ive learn so much just with your teaching. "Question on the MC4 connectors. I have 2/ 170 Watt Panels going to a 30A Zamp Charge Controller which is located in the bathroom in my 5th wheel, then from their to my cargo area where the battery bank is at.. I want to disconnect that Zamp controller and replace it with a Victron 75/30 Charge controller and install it in a further location up front in the cargo area of the 5th wheel. Could I just disconnect the in/out from the Zamp controller and connect them together with MC4 connecters and from their using that extension to the new Victron charge controller?

[@ifferl8781]

Do you have thoughts on Sae 2-pin solar panel - &+? I wonder if should replace this connector with an mc4, or the Ec8 that is the input of a power bank I plan to use.

[@unconventionalforager6389]

Saving this channel

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks! 🙂🙌

[@actiondan08]

Great video, definitely deserves to have zero dislikes 👏

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey Daniel Weaver, Thanks so much! Cheers!

[@djcasper69]

well done , thank you so much.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

[@Oversteezy_egg]

wonderful video!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

[@vannemocilac274]

I tried to connect my 2 one hundred watt panels to each other, in series, but they wouldn’t connect all the way. I contacted Rich solar and haven’t heard back yet. I’m thinking maybe they weren’t assembled right. Connecting the extension wires to the other positive and negative clicked tight. So I was happy (and giggling) to know this info is here, if I break one taking it apart, I can fix it. Empowering.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

[@PyrateRumRunner]

Do you have suggestions on installing a plug in the wall of your RV? I’d like to plug my portable solar panels into the trailer and have the interior wiring connect to my solar battery (eco flow delta).

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

Thanks COOP ...

[@leo-polletronnier33]

Thanks that will be usefull for tomorrow

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

[@luskindy]

Short and straightforward with mid credit scene 😂

[@Max14163]

The O-rings on my male connectors make it VERY difficult to click the connectors together, so I just wound up removing them. Is there some kind of tool I can use to push connectors together WITH the O-rings still in place?

[@jesseporter5652]

Awesome video. can you tell me are you attaching the female Mc4 onto the positive wire going to the charge controller...essentially going positive to positive?

[@carrottop3454]

What brand of crimper do you use or recommend? I didn’t see it in your lists.

[@rudyg.4294]

Great video Nate. I like that you take the time to teach. Quick question, do I need to install a sun-saver charger between the panel and RV? Or because I’m going through the RV plug, it regulates itself? Thank you in advance.

[@DeanTheDoctor]

I'm not sure what you mean by RV plug. Most RVs before 2015 are not really set up for solar, but if connecting a solar system (18v-22v) to your battery, (12.8v-13.2v. SLA/Lifepo4) you'll need some sort of regulator, step down converter, or charge controller to set and limit the appropriate voltage for your battery chemistry, even if they have a BMS. 🙂🌎☀️

[@vegas1134]

Thank you

[@SolOSombra]

Thanks, got it. 👍🏼

[@ocddiycaraddict8653]

Thanks very much,just can u let us know how many milimeters should the wire be stripped back to fit in the crimp connector etc? And can the mc4 connectors once made be easily disconnected from bak of panel connectors in future if want to make leads longer?

[@DustyKorpse]

Great vid 👍

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thanks! 😀👍

[@AC-pg9ws]

Do I need the BougeRV crimping tool for this or will a regular wire crimped work?

[@noahriding5780]

Do you also have a video that goes over changing the diodes on the back of solar panels? thanks.

[@popatop75]

i have a jackery 500 and big regret now, do you have a video on how to connect a off brand solar panel to it instead of buying there Proprietary panel, help please thank you

[@stormer6364]

Nice video , i have a question what size wire did you use ? And is there a number on the crimp tool that relates to the wire size you're using? Best Regards

[@BTNomad]

Today was my first time adding the MP4 connectors, and I struggled to find the right sized crimper head thingy. How does one know what size to use? Also, what is the orientation for the crimp? I didn't know which way the opening should face in the crimper. 🤔

[@noahriding5780]

If you don't have crimpers, can you secure the metal pins still with just vice grips or other plier tools? Thanks.

[@wendygerrish4964]

Thanks Nate. I wonder how much do you strip the wire before inserting it into its contact pin to crimp? Also, I'm changing from c3 connectors to these c4s . I didn't know there were such things as c3s, but if you come across a perfectly working older panel, you might run into a few. I've read about different wire sizes fitting, or not fitting into the gizmo too, but I doubt if I'll ever incounter any of those.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

About a quarter to half inch.

[@Nguyening_music]

If you have MC3 solar panels, can I just strip the MC3 and make mc4 like in this video?

[@glenntaylor5638]

Just want to know where exactly on the inner connector pins do you crimp the wire using the special hexagonal crimping pliers. Do you solder the feed wires first?

[@Lensvision-fg4vd]

Thanku.... sir....

[@tonyjohnson1068]

What brand of crimp tool do you use . some stuff I buy on line is junk and I want to get a good one.

[@johnh6978]

I have Goal zero panels. I want to use them on an RV build. How can I hook them up to a mppt. They have their proprietary end on them. Do I need a special adaptor or can I just cut them off?

[@RollingAroundwNicknAmanda]

Are you trimming the cables that come with the panels or just zip tying the extra?

[@SlackersIndustry]

Is a pv-sy02 connector same as mc4, my panel came with risen twinsel pv-sy02 connector, need to extend the line and convert to Anderson conector. Thanks

[@halimahh6840]

Is it a good idea to use MC4 4Y connector with only 2 solar panels? Can I leave 2 more MC4 unoccupied? Or just use the MC4 Y connector while there are only 2 panels? Because I'm thinking of adding 2 more panels in the future. So, I was thinking of whether to buy just MC4 Y connector or simply buy the MC4 4Y connector at once. Currently I own just 2 solar panels

[@pierrelucbouchard]

Hi ! Thanks for the video. I want to make sure that the mc4 connectors are installed on regular (multistrand) wire, like a 10awg. Just because I saw wire described as pv on it. Thanks

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Those wires would be installed on the roof, so they should have a PV rated insulation. The wires themselves are, indeed, multistrand wire.

[@LarryRichelli]

I am new to this, My crimper has 2.5mm, 4mm, and 6mm. Which one of these do I use to do what you did in this video. Thanks

[@foofooblenda734]

still a great video

[@kelhawk1]

You say both the cut and strip videos are in the description below, but not on my page. There is a link that takes me back to this video, but I saw nothing about strip length for MC4 connectors.

[@markweatherall7437]

Hey buddy, are MC4 connectors suitable to extend 12v cable to a leisure battery?

[@dillonmccormick2511]

Thanks brotha.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey Dillon McCormick, No problem! Glad it helped! :)

[@hsidder]

Super helpful, thank you. Newbie question - I have 10 Awg silicone electrical cable, would that be safe to leverage for a solar extension cable less than 6ft?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Does it have UV protection and rated for solar panel applications? If yes; go for it. If no, use solar panel wiring.

[@auturk]

Brilliant

[@NurseSarahBarker]

Brilliant video thanks my newest solar panel hasn’t got any cables connected to it at all! Do you have a vide how to connect those please?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I don't have a video on that, no. Sorry! That's a pretty uncommon deal you've stumbled across. Surely the user manual gives some guidance.