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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Triplett CableCut
Everyone needs these cutters. These are incredible. I use these everyday. Required for most projects. Click Here to Purchase White label version if the above one is out of stock, click here |
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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 instead. 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. They work better on smaller connectors though. Preferably under 14 gauge. Click Here |
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Ratcheting Crimper
Works well for standard size crimp connectors up to 10 gauge wire A required tool for any system. Does not work that well with waterproof connectors. Use the red crimper to the right instead. Click Here |
Large Size Crimpers
(6-4/0 AWG)
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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 |
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Industrial High Leverage Crimper
My new favorite! Takes minimal effort to crimp large lugs. The crimps are not a beautiful as the hydraulic crimper below, but they are solid. Click Here |
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Hydraulic Crimper
If you need to do a lot of large cables, and need a perfect crimp every time, use this. It 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. Very time-consuming versus the high leverage tool above. If you are perfectionist and have lots of free time, get this. Click here |
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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 |
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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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, 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. Click here for a cheap price on amazon |
Soldering Iron
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Cheap Adjustable Power supply
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I don't like this one actually. But it's the first one that I have not broken. All the other ones burn out after a few weeks.
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 |
Other Tools that you probably need
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The impact gun in this combo kit is the best thing in the world. I used the first generation model for 6 years, every day! And my dads a mechanic and uses it every day. You should also get the other drill it comes with for concrete anchors for mounting inverters. Great set. You will love it.
Click Here |
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The best cordless jigsaw around. I bought some other ones, and they always break after a few jobs. This one lasts for ages, and its a good price!
Click here |
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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 |