Solar - junction box and diodes

[Johny London]

Just thinking about how best to bring my solar cabling into the boat - I've seen it going into mushroom vents but I'm doubtful I'll be able to run it inside the roof space without taking half the ceiling down - it's a few metres. So I looked for waterproof junction boxes and found some for solar panels - with diodes already inside. That set me a thinking regarding blocking diodes and whether I need them!

So, before I order the cheapest little plastic box with a grommeted hole, perhaps I could ask what others have used and whether diodes are necessary!

ta

[Alan de Enfield]

Waterproof Deck-Gland

 

[WotEver]

35 minutes ago, Johny London said:

before I order the cheapest little plastic box with a grommeted hole...

Don't wait, just buy one

No, you don't need the diodes. 

[chubby]

I ran my cables through the furthest rear mushroom vent . I had to take apart my ceiling to then pass the cable back thru into the engine room of a modern style trad . Pulling apart my ceiling was the most daunting part of the installation but in the end it was a doddle and saved me alot of hassle fitting waterproof glands etc . The panels were then fitted above the mushroom vent and its completely waterproof. From vent to engine room was about 5 ft so not much ceiling to dismantle though . Had the job involved taking down lots of ceiling i wouldn t have tried . 

cheers

[Dave Payne]

I picked up one of these...

https://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/store/category/1360/product/30824.aspx

Then ran trunking from to the solar panel to protect the cables.

[Jak]

I also have one of these. Works well   .