Recommended Tools for building
High-quality solar power system's
Do not buy cheap tools. You will thank yourself for years, and building a system will be MUCH EASIER.
(I make a commission for purchases made through the links below)
(I make a commission for purchases made through the links below)
Cable Cutters
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Cable Cutters
Everyone needs these cutters. These are incredible. I use them every day. Required for building solar power systems of any size. Click here for a cheap price |
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Klein High Leverage Cutter
For cutting large gauge wires. This tool will last forever. Can cut anything. Usually I can get by using the cutters on the left for most wires in solar systems, so this one is not really required unless you are building huge systems. Click Here to Purchase |
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Hakko Micro Cutter
Great for trimming small solder joints/ wire strands etc. Super useful to have around Click Here to Purchase |
Wire Strippers
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Precision Wire Stripper
Highest quality stripper I have owned. If you want to do a perfect job, use this. Great for solid and stranded wires. Perfect strip, every time. 10-22 gauge wire Click Here |
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Small/multiple/odd wire strippers
Not as good as the strippers to the left, but great for odd ball wires. Click Here |
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Large Gauge Cable Stripper
Remove insulation on all large gauge wires up to 4/0 gauge! Lots of low quality strippers available. Avoid them and get this one. Dial works nicely and gives a perfect strip every time. Click Here |
Standard Size Crimpers
(22-6 AWG)
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Work Horse Crimpers
My current favorite. The indentation and leverage is great. I can crimp up to 6 gauge, but I would not crimp anything under 16 gauge with them. Use the crimpers on the right for small wires. Click here If it's out of stock, the Klein equivalent is just as good (but doesnt have the same rubber grip). Click here |
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High Leverage Manual Crimper
For non-standard/non-insulated or waterproof jackets, use these. These are my go to manual crimpers for small wires. Click Here |
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Ratcheting Crimper
Works well for standard size crimp connectors up to 10 gauge wire Does not work that well w/ waterproof connectors. Use the crimpers above instead. Click Here |
Large Size Crimpers
(6-4/0 AWG)
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Good ol' Fashion Hammer Type Crimper
Can crimp up to 4/0 gauge wire and it works great! This is the lowest quality large crimping tool available, but will give you a perfect crimp everytime. Click Here to purchase |
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Industrial High Leverage Crimper
My absolute favorite! Takes minimal effort to crimp large lugs. The crimps are not as beautiful as the hydraulic crimper below, but they are solid. Update: I have used it everyday for nearly a year. Absolutely love this tool! I have it on my workshop desk 24/7. Click Here to purchase |
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Hydraulic Crimper
This will give you the prettiest and strongest crimp around. The only downside is changing out the dies, and the hydraulic system can leak over time. They can also break if you crimp large lugs for a few years. Very time-consuming versus the high leverage tool above. If you are perfectionist and have lots of free time, get this. Click here to purchase |
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3 point crimper
Industrial grade and expensive. I love the crimp this creates on wires larger than 2 gauge. But I do not like using it on 4/6/8 gauge wires. I actually prefer my other crimpers, but this is a high quality tool that is dependable, so it is hard to not mention. It will not break like the hydraulic tools, and its easier to use than the hammer type. Click Here to purchase |
Heat Shrink and Heat Gun
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High quality heat shrink
with Adhesive Protect large and small terminal connector joints with heat shrink. Simply slip some on and heat it up with a heat gun. Click Here |
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My favorite multimeter
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I use it every day and it is amazing! Must-have tool for solar. Buy the autoranging model:
Click here to purchase |
My favorite Clamp meter
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This tool will allow you to see how much current in ac or dc is going through a wire. I cannot stress how important this is. I use it every 30 minutes or so while building systems.
Also, it is great for general diagnostics. Want to check if there is a parasitic load on your car battery? Use this meter and find an answer without removing your battery cables. It also has a voltage meter and does everything the meter above can. I prefer the meter above for desktop testing of circuit boards because the readout is awesome And so many other uses. Every electrical DIY'er needs this tool. Combined with the multimeter above, you are set. You will wonder how you lived without one of these once you have one in your tool bag. The one pictured can handle 400A of DC: Click here for a cheap price on amazon If you plan to work with systems using more than 400A, buy this clamp meter: Click Here |
Budget clamp meter: NJTY DC 1000A Clamp meter
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For the price, you cannot beat it. I still prefer the quality of my klein meter up above, but the NJTY can measure up to 1000A and is nearly half the price. Not a bad deal!
Great budget priced clamp meter. Click here to purchase |
Soldering Iron
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Cheap Adjustable Power supply
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I have not been able to kill this PSU. It is great for charging lithium ion batteries w/ bms. Just ensure the output voltage is set before you connect a battery.
If you want to spend more, expect to spend $400+. This one works great for manually charging individual lithium cells, and higher voltage batteries. Click here for a cheap price |
Other Tools that you probably need
My dad and I have broken a lot of tools over the years. Milwaukee are the only ones that hold up. I highly suggest spending the extra money and sticking to the fuel series milwaukee. It will save you money in the long run.
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My favorite small impact gun. If you do not have it, buy it. You will use it everyday
Click Here for a cheap price |
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The best cordless jigsaw around. I bought some other ones, and they always break/loosen after a few jobs. This one lasts for ages, and it's at a good price!
I use it to cut various plywood for mounting components, and even 2x4's daily. I even use it to trim branches on the trees in my backyard. I love this thing. Click here for a cheap price |
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Cut through walls, pipes, wires and anything you wish. Great tool. You can also open up battery cases and see what's inside, and how badly you got ripped off by an unknown seller on aliexpress.
Click Here for a cheap price |