Yes, this type of SPD dissipates spikes and surge to ground. DC devices designed to mitigate intermittent voltage spikes in a pv system is different than a typical AC surge protection device. Here is an excerpt from LSP: SPDs are applied to electrical systems to provide a discharge path to earth to save those systems’ components from being exposed to the high-voltage transients caused by the direct or indirect effects of lightning or power system anomalies. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Does off-grid solar confuse you? Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com Join our DIY solar community! #1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike: www.diysolarforum.com Check out my best-selling, beginner-friendly 12V off-grid solar book (affiliate link): amzn.to/2Aj4dX4 If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Solar. Low prices and great warranty, and they can take your entire house offgrid with their new Powerwalls: ts.la/william57509 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My solar equipment recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first): 12V/48V Lithium Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html Plug-N-Play Systems: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html Complete 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/complete-48v-solar-kits.html DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-friendly-air-conditioners.html Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar and Coupon Codes: -Current Connected: SOK, Victron and High Quality Components. Best prices and warranty around: currentconnected.com/?ref=wp -Signature Solar: Cheap Server Rack Batteries and Large Solar Panels: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Ecoflow Delta Official Site: My favorite plug-n-play solar generator: us.ecoflow.com/?aff=7 -AmpereTime: Cheapest 12V batteries around: amperetime.com/products/ampere-time-12v-100ah-lithium-lifepo4-battery?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Rich Solar: Mega site and cheaper prices than renogy! Check them out: richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Shop Solar Kits: Huge site with every solar kit you can imagine! Check it out: shopsolarkits.com/?ref=will-p -Battery Hookup: Cheap cell deals bit.ly/2mIxSqt 10% off code: diysolar -Watts 24/7: Best deals on all-in-one solar power systems, with customer support and distribution here in the USA: watts247.com/?wpam_id=3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Contact Information: I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers: Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :) DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

As an electrician I would just like to add that this kind of hook up makes troubleshooting much more pleasant and efficient. No you don’t have to use this you can just splice together anywhere you want as long as it stays together, but when you have to troubleshoot a problem you will appreciate this splice box. Oh, don’t forget to label your wires, and be logical.

Thanks so much for making this video. I’m currently building an all in one system with the LV6548 and I literally just bought the 4/2 combiner box yesterday. Very helpful. Thanks again.

Sorry, Will, I got a little bit caught up in my first comment that I forgot to thank you for this and all of your other great videos. I am happy that you are back to making more of them more often.

You're encouraging me to go DIY and build a complete system myself. All your "how to" guides are priceless, Will 👍

Thats simple ... thanks for the quick and easy explanation!

Thanks again, Will. I'm a little late getting to this stage in our PV system. I just ordered that 6 lead combiner box from Watts 24/7. It'll be great.

As Will is smart in many areas. I get it

I'm designing my first solar panel array for a course and this video is amazing :D

Thanks for the informative advice. @2:00 I just opened my small PV combiner box the same as in the vid and low and behold loose wires. Now thanks to you Will Not so loose wires😀

Good job Will The Watts247 panel combiner box looks excellent and I'm guessing is based on a European circuit panel design. The weatherproof housing electrical enclosure is a great idea.

Informative as always. When I first started out building my system on my channel I learned a lot from you. I continue to watch and subscribe. Thank you!

Just picked up a 6-1 combiner from watts 24x7- this thing feels rock solid- $238 shipped during Black Friday pricing. Glad I spent the extra $100 on this over plastic Amazon offerings- this thing is very confidence inspiring and will leave room to grow- currently getting pets together for my first 2,100 watt system.

I bought a WATTS 24/7 Combiner Box after seeing it on this video. GREAT product. Easy to install, professionally constructed and great support. Thanks for the recommendation - it sure made my life easier

This is the sort of project that I just have to jump in a do it. Hands on learner. Like when I built my first computer, my brain couldn't manage it until I had the components in hand... lol

This video is exactly what i needed! Thank you!

Thanks again Will for demystifying all of this stuff for us. You're awesome!

Free knowledge from a pro. Doesn't get better than that.

Such a wonderful video. Thanks for all the information across all your videos, it's a real service.

I find it interesting that a solar charge controller name has morphed to MPPT (maximum power point tracking). Great vid as always.

Hi, good video. Can you make a video on an off-grid system (battery + generator) that uses microinverters on solar PV? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Cool video =) I just started solar, and you read my mind, and broke it down. Thanks.

Never looked into PV combiner boxes before, really cool!

Approaching 500K Subs!

Could you attach Solar on one side, then a Wind Turbine on the other?

This is a really useful video. It's something I had not yet considered for my solar power installation. Thanks Will.

Thank you Will for the review, I just ordered the 4 × 1 Box from your affiliate link, I actually bought that Eco Worthy unit from Amazon, Have not used it yet but have had it too long to return it, I'm afraid to use it for fear of burning the house down now after seeing that review on it. Another waste of a $165

Very nice combination PV box.

answered my question.. i have one array of 1600 watts 24 volt system, I dont need one unless I add another array.

Will - The Eco-Worthy PV Combiner on Amazon is GREAT Unit and a great price. Please REVIEW it before calling it “bad”. I got the 4 String unit for my Boat and at $109. it’s just as good as what your showing there. With an extra 5 min work and and checking ALL their pre made connections it’s the PERFECT solution at a great price

Wow, you made a good vid at the right time.. i just search for this thingy box for my first solar project.. tq !

I'm lost on the talk of Parallel connections. Most videos show multiple "Series Strings" being run to a combiner box. One series sting per connection, that is why a 15 AMP fuse will work here. Are the "Parallel" connection where all the hot wires come together on the BUS Bar? Thanks, Joe

Make sure everything is UL listed to pass inspection. Many of those DIN rail units are NOT UL listed.

HOWdy DIYPwW-P, ... Thanks for the instruction / review on COMBINER BOXES COOP the WiSeNhEiMeR from Richmond, INDIANA ...

Is there something like a combiner box that works in reverse, one PV voltage source in and multiple parallel sources out? Thought process here, i'm using all in one standalone solutions with their expandable batteries. So I have several areas that I could use PV to decrease grid reliance. If I could have the array go into a combiner and one cable carry that to a distribution system for the PV voltage that would make design easier.

So the one question I never see answered on any videos or articles I've found on PV combiner boxes is whether or not inputs can come from solar arrays with different wattages. For instance an array of 100W panels and 200W panels. Cleary you do not want these tied together in series or parallel due to the power loss from the different wattages and people always talk about how you "never want to do this." Yet none of those same people mention a PV Combiner as a solution. What am I missing, as in my opinion I dont see any reason why a PV combiner box can't be used to join the outputs of different wattage panels yet nowhere have I found anyone talking about this as being a solution for just that.

off grid cabin with a 48v system. I'm going to buy a 4 string combiner box. My question is can each string consist of different panels. Example: first string has 4 -200w panels in series(total 800w) and the 2nd string has 2-300w panels is series ( total 600w)

Would you need combiner if RV has two separate house battery banks ?

Nice video 🖖 cool boxes, managing the cable stuff much better and cleaner 😊

I assume you would want homogenous strings (made of identical panels) to correctly optimize with the MPPT inverter best or you won't have per string optimized operation. Maybe that is fundamentally already understood when you begin talking about "parallel string" operations, but just wanted to highlight this if folks thought they could just randomly combine different count/brand panel strings. I think individualized MPPT converters per string make much more sense there in those non-homogenous setups?

Actually I just prefer doing it myself Midnite combiner box Midnite charge controller in the battery Bank period before I started with solar I watch Will's videos for about 4 months. Then I built my whole house system.

Hey how are you my man. I haven’t watched a video from you in a while. Trust you have been doing well. I run a charity in the U.K. I’m glad in eventually understand KWH and That has changed everything 😃😃😂😂😂 Yes for you it all makes sense but for us it’s not Thats easy. 😀

You should mention the surge protector device specifications and reliable brands in the market

15 A fuses on a 1 kW string means 67 V, no? So do you bump up the fuse for 48 V systems, lower the power or increase the volts? Or am I just missing something?

Blocking diodes. I'll have to research this more. Most late model panels already have them built in, yes? Isnt that standard/mandatory these days? So the diodes in the combiner boxes are an extra protection should the panel ones fail? Which would make sense. Is there a scenario where, if the panel diodes are in tact, theres still a chance of backflow, and the combiner box diodes prevent it? Again..I'll do more research, as I'm close to upgrading to 4 or 6 panels from just my single one right now.

Will would be upset visiting where i work, its cut and paste engineering paired with unskilled labor and ran by fresh out of college prep interships as leadership. Its a real mess in motion but they are a 20 billion dollar company, its hard to digest but they design and make these fancy electrical componets and highly priced electrical systems that will shows here for mere pennies.

Is there a type of "combiner box" available that can primarily utilize power from solar panels (when sunlight is available) and supplement its output with grid power (as a secondary source) only when the solar current is insufficient to meet the required output?

Video has been up for 36 minutes and has 5 dislikes. Those carbon people took Wills comments to heart. 😂😂

Why shall I use one fuse for the positive terminal and another one for the negative terminal ?

Will you know the 280ah cells - they have new ones 320ah now - just built a pack for my RV with a blue tooth 120amp BMS - then this morning I find they manufacturing a 420ah cell that's just 7mm thicker - think they are the way forward for RV's and power walls - love your channel

If you were putting panels on a better positioned outbuilding, and running the power back to a house, where is the combiner best positioned relative to the DC to AC transformer? If you had multiple arrays, how do combiners interact? This is why I'm not allowed to operate anything more complicated than a toaster.

1:01. Very GOOD. SPEAK.

Is there a device that will divert excess solar power to a particular load like a heater without affecting normally used devices?

the label for DC output is opposite of the breaker's label. should I follow the label or the breaker?

How are those diode for protection connected to the curcuit? And what is the diode spec?

For the most part, I rarely understand anything that you say, but you are obviously quite knowledgeable about Solar Power. I have done some research, and decided that a Bifacial Solar Panel was my best option. 400 watt , It’s going on top of a 1996 Chevy Astro Van. As I am Retired, I need to work with what I have. Yes, I will be living in the Van full time, and traveling as much as I can afford. I can not afford half a dozen $1,000 batteries. So what would you suggest ? Also I will be needing an Inverter, and a couple of other things I have heard you mention. I would much rather have too much, and not need it, Than to need it, And not have it. Thank you in advance for your advice, Respectfully, Tom Vickers

I fully understand the apprehension some have for all things electrical. But as a professional panel builder that looks elementary at most. 😊

So, do you mean to joint the parallel connection through this box, rather than connecting the panels in parallel together before plugging into this box. For example, 1 panel is rated for 8.87A So, if I joint 5 panels together, that would add up to 44.35A. And you mentioned that each fuse is only 15A. Which is not enough for the parallel string.

Great product and review mate

Will do you have a video showing how to use or wire twin or stacked inverters

I’m shocked at what’s in there. You make it look easy though. I have an all in one box at the moment, but I will build another system. Maybe using wind, as I am in Wales U.K.

I use 3 x 230W panels in parallel because in series the voltage is too high. Each panel is about 6A. Do I need any current protection? So far I used MCA splitters and that’s it.

Parallel modules: diodes or fuses? Do both get hot? (E.g. 15A fuse at 12A continues load)

I had forgotten all about these jewels... A thread on the forums just reminded me just when I was about to look into combiner boxes. A premonition?

You do not need to fuse the negative side of the PV arrays, only the positive sides. Not sure why your box has fuses on the negative sides. The negative sides can be used for ammeters and shunts.

Dude! Awesome thank you.

What are the key differences between standard combiner boxes and combiner boxes for a microinverter system?

hey great videos can you make a video or help me to connect an enphase 3 controller 8 k watts solar system connected to the grid.

Please help to find blocking diode

if you have paralells, mostlikely DC coupling. and all component must be at DC rated respective of the V will run on the system (but go higher V won't hurt) Anyway good ones.

Another great video. On another subject, have you tested any small grid tied micro inverters. I was interested in something between 200 watts to 1 kw.

Excellent i will be ordering one of them.

With a combiner box can you have different wattage and volts on different strings

Sorry newbie question. Do the outputs of the panels of each individual string need to be the same? For example one string with 200w panels and the other string with 300w or volts and amps.

I have 4 inverters, 4 PV array strings. Should I feed 4 solar string separately to 4 inverters or I have to combine them first with a PV combiner box then split them out to 4 and feed to inverters?

Do I have to setup the battery bank, 12v, 24, or 48v, according to the panels connection, series/ parallel in the combiner box?

Is there a 4 string combiner box with 4 independent breakers? I want to be able to shut off each string separately

Now does the combiner box make everything parallel with putting every thing in the box, I watched a video on another site and he 4 panels into a series/parallel and looked like he was putting them in a combiner box. I’ve been studying this off you and noticing a bunch of different ways to hook them up

Can solar panels with different volt or amp outputs be wired into one box because there’s no “back feeding” as stated?

Great video! Very informative and new, for me. Thanks!

So the wood box on amazon with glued in breaks aren’t that great . Lol

I'm not understanding the single series string. My panels are 395wstts put out 37volts and 10.1amps. so 2 panels in series would already be over the 15 Amps of the fuse? I bought the lvc6048 and the amp max going in is 27amps. My panels put out 10amps 395wstts and 39volts. So if I just connect 3 panels to this box isn't that to many to run to my inverter.

Thank you sir, it available in the Philippines?

Can u connect 220V one array the other 100V array to a combiner box what will be the DC out value?

Great video thanks... Can you hook up 6 solar panels into the small combiner box?

Hi, what about if it go fo rv installation? No earth? How to connect it?

useful information do you have the schematic diagram thank you

Will, Et Al - Purchased Sig Sol E0000 Kit, Watch you and David, you guys are the best. MY PROBLEM: if pnls are 400W (48Vdc therefore 8.3Adc, Trying to install the palet-o-pnls (qty:30) and pnls are photon controlled batteries then max is 3 pnl in parallel or MC4 (10/12/14 awg) of 30 Adc gets violated. Is the only answer a combiner box with a pallet-o-pnls ending up as 10 strings with cables all over the roof to conb box??? I must be missing something !!! Plz educate me so I can help others...Thx Steve

Even if you have 2 mppts on a MPPSolar, and you have 2 strings, you can just connect each string to each MPPT input, still no need for a combiner right?

They should pre-install mc4 inputs

If someone can answer because I'm new to pv systems , what's the purpose of a second output in a 4 in 2 out combiner box ?

Hi Will, thanks for your videos, they are very helpful. I have (20) 400 watt 48v solar panels that will feed into two eg4 6000xp all in one's. I plan on having two feeds, one to each AIOs. So, 10 panels per AIO unit. I was planning on having four series strings of five panels. Two series strings will be connected in parallel for each AIO unit. My question is: should I use a combiner box to combine the two series strings in parallel? This way each AIO will have 250 volts and 4000 watts. Any other suggestions?

Can i use the 6-2 combiner box for two mpp solar lvx6048 inverters, 3 strings of 6 panels on each inverter?

Why are there diodes in the dashboard? The diodes are built into the PV modules.

It is actually annoying that they are now making all of these combiner boxes with fuses for both the positive and the negative lines when the fuses are overcurrent devices and only electrically need to be on one side of the circuit. Either positive or negative but not both. The fuse holders also should not be used to break the circuit under load because they don't quench the arc so if the breaker has to be flipped first it really makes no sense to have positive and negative fuse holders. It adds more failure points and a greater potential for a problem down the road. Also, if you get any combiner box make sure you have backups for every component in them because all it takes is one lightning strike nearby even a quarter-mile away and you might have to replace surge suppressors and fuses.

Hello Will? It's God. I'm building my first solar system and have some questions--do you have a few minutes?

I'm about to connect the rest of my solar I'm lost tho have 10 260 watt with 100a charges 3 of them so 3 panels for each but how does this work with only 2 cables coming out the combiner?

do they make these for battery banks? or can this be used for a battery bank like say you have 16 12 v batteries connecting them in parallel and series to make 4 48v batteries?

Hi Will, Your videos are terrific. Appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experiences. Really liked your "I'm Burned Out" video. You should do more like that. Want to hear more about your hobbies and stuff. Why not give us a tour of Vegas? Where do you hang out? Mount the camera to your bike and go for a ride. Let's meet your friends. Take a break from the technical and let us see what Will does for fun.

I have 4 100W array. Can it go from the final panel direct to the charge controller or should I order one of these? I dont plan to expand the system