Extend Solar Panel Wires and Connect to Energizer
At 22:51 in
The cows are destroying the fences...so I'm building this!
What happens here
The solar panel comes with relatively short power leads. To ensure proper connection to the energizer inside the box, the leads need to be extended. Cut the red and black wires from the solar panel leads. Using heat-shrink terminal connectors (blue for positive, possibly black for negative, or just two blue for continuity), splice in additional lengths of red and black wire to extend the leads. Ensure each splice is securely crimped and then sealed with a heat gun to create a waterproof connection. Next, drill a hole in the back of the storage box for the extended solar panel wires. Insert a rubber grommet into this hole to protect the wires and prevent water intrusion. Pass the extended solar panel wires through the grommet and connect them to the appropriate terminals on the energizer (red to solar positive, black to solar negative). Secure the wires inside the box with a zip tie to prevent them from being accidentally pulled out.
Goal: Connect the solar panel to the energizer for charging.
Tools and materials
- Cordless Drill — Drilling a hole in the storage box
- Drill Bit — Drilling the wire pass-through hole
- Heat Gun Milwaukee — Shrinking heat-shrink connectors
- Plastic Storage Box Northern Tool — Enclosing the battery and energizer
- Ratcheting Crimpers Wirefy — Crimping connectors onto wires
- Solar Panel — Generating electricity to charge the battery
- Wire Cutters/Strippers — Cutting and stripping insulation from wires
- Black Insulated Wire — Extending the solar panel's negative lead
- Heat-Shrink Terminal Connectors — Splicing wires and creating waterproof connections
- Red Insulated Wire — Extending the solar panel's positive lead
- Rubber Grommet GB Electrical — Protecting wires and sealing the hole in the box
- Zip Tie — Securing internal wires to prevent accidental disconnection