I agree with SW. I can’t say just for sure, but that connector looked a bit small for the total size of your solar array. Even if an appropriate size, a bit of moisture, or corrosion, or a poor crimp will cause some resistance which will cause heat. This is the most dangerous kind of failure, as a fuse or breaker won’t help. Replace the connector with an appropriate sized part, use use electrical contact preservative like a dialectic grease or an electrical anti-corrosion spray. A very thin coat on the wire end before crimping and a thin coat on the mating surfaces of the connector. Seal the connectors in heat shrink, the kind that’s lined with hot glue to seal the connection. Great videos btw.
Those connectors are not rated for such current from the look of it. Probably they have melted due to the connector corroded little bit, then started heating -> more resistance -> more heat effect. Just wild guess, but I'd replace all of those with propper ones.
Just great to watch you start to explore this place you have been headed to for so long. So much sea life compared to what you are used to. The tropical weather, the people. Please keep them coming when time and mood allows, I enjoy your journey. Stay safe.
Enjoying your show, love how together you two are as a couple... can't wait to see how you explore this region of the world over these next months, one of the best areas in all the world as the beauty and possibilities are endless.
Great video guys. I love Martinique ! I did the opposite on my Tayana 42. Moved the autopilot head control unit from the cockpit back rest bulkhead and mounted it by the wheel . Happy travels and maybe see you out there as I'll be heading towards Caribbean from Dominican Republic in the fall
Hay guys, I'd like to congratulate you on a successful crossing. Wow, you are living your best life. Keep up the good work 👍 SV Kiwi Lady Opua Bay of islands New Zealand 👍
Thanks for another great video! I have really enjoyed following your adventures and look forward to each new episode. I was a bit alarmed to see your overheated PV wiring. The failure was most likely caused by the type of connector you have used, which looks undersized and is probably imposing too much resistance. That is what caused it to overheat. You should really remove all similar connectors and replace them with proper crimped-on solar connectors. These are cheap and easy to find on places like Amazon, but should also be readily available where you are. Also check your cables. It looks like you have used standard ELV power cable. This type of cable is not really suitable for PV installations, which require double sheathed multi-stranded copper cable. The voltage from a PV array can be quite high, and standard cable types may not be up to the job. Good luck, hope you get it all sorted.
I want more videos.....after bingewatching all of your adventures in the med it is so hard to have to wait so long all the time. your videos have such a calm vibe, really love it!
Did you stop in Dominica? We visited in 2019 and although still recovering from the hurricane the previous year it was beautiful. There were virtually no tourists there because the airport is so tiny.
So Dominica was our favourite..! Believe it or not there were still virtually no tourists even this year - I think most sailors tend to skip it or don't spend long there. Can't wait to share our videos from there 😄
