Essential 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
Cable Cutters
Everyone needs these cutters. These are incredible. I use them every day.
Required for every size system. Cuts any wire up to 1/0 cables. I do not use the strippers on these. These are good for cutting only.
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Everyone needs these cutters. These are incredible. I use them every day.
Required for every size system. Cuts any wire up to 1/0 cables. I do not use the strippers on these. These are good for cutting only.
Click here to purchase
Ratchet Cable Cutter
If you need to cut 2/0 or 4/0 cables a lot, use one of these. Most of the large heavy duty ones do not cut large cables unless you use a lot of force. This one can slowly ratchet through any size cable with ease. Really great tool.
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If you need to cut 2/0 or 4/0 cables a lot, use one of these. Most of the large heavy duty ones do not cut large cables unless you use a lot of force. This one can slowly ratchet through any size cable with ease. Really great tool.
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Wire Strippers
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
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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
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Small/multiple/odd wire strippers
Not as good as the strippers above, but great for odd ball wires. Also great for 6 AWG that do not fix into the strippers above, but too small to fit in the cable stripper below.
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Not as good as the strippers above, but great for odd ball wires. Also great for 6 AWG that do not fix into the strippers above, but too small to fit in the cable stripper below.
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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.
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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 to Purchase
Small Wire Crimpers
(22-6 AWG)
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 below for small wires.
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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 below for small wires.
Click Here to Purchase
Manual Crimper for Extremely Small Connectors
For non-standard/non-insulated or waterproof jackets, use these.
These are my go to manual crimpers for small wires under 12 AWG.
Click Here to Purchase
For non-standard/non-insulated or waterproof jackets, use these.
These are my go to manual crimpers for small wires under 12 AWG.
Click Here to Purchase
Automatic Crimper
Perfect crimp everytime and this is my favorite model. Most people need this for 10/12 gauge wire.
Large Wire Crimpers
(6-4/0 AWG)
Budget DIY Friendly
Crimper
I bought this for a crimp testing video and I use it all the time and I have been recrimping every system and cable I own. The voltage drop across cables when crimped with this tool is the lowest of out of my collection of crimpers. It is incredible. And it is the only budget one that can crimp all the way up to 4/0! I just love this thing. The crimps are perfect.
If this thing breaks tomorrow, I will buy the same one. I am not using any of my other crimpers any longer. I hate using hydraulic crimpers, and the leverage ones are huge. Just get this. I hope they sell this thing for a very long time.
Click Here to Purchase my favorite with 4/0 dies (out of stock often)
Other sources for the same crimper:
Click here to purchase
Click here to purchase
The biggest difference between these models is the die set. Most of them do not come with 4/0 dies, but if you need 4/0 dies, just order them below:
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If you need this crimper for extra large cables (anything bigger than 4/0), buy this version:
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If this thing breaks tomorrow, I will buy the same one. I am not using any of my other crimpers any longer. I hate using hydraulic crimpers, and the leverage ones are huge. Just get this. I hope they sell this thing for a very long time.
Click Here to Purchase my favorite with 4/0 dies (out of stock often)
Other sources for the same crimper:
Click here to purchase
Click here to purchase
The biggest difference between these models is the die set. Most of them do not come with 4/0 dies, but if you need 4/0 dies, just order them below:
Click Here to Purchase
If you need this crimper for extra large cables (anything bigger than 4/0), buy this version:
Click Here to Purchase
Corded Heavy Duty Electric Crimper
Not for everyone, but this thing is incredible. It is not cordless and it is very heavy, but you can use large industrial Temco dies with it and it works perfect. If you have a workshop with a crimping station, this thing works great.
The die set that comes with it is not for AWG!! It is in MM. Do not use with AWG lugs!
Click Here to Purchase the Crimper
Click Here to Purchase a Single 4/0 Die
Click Here to Purchase the Temco Industrial AWG Die Set
Hydraulic Crimper
I do not like manual hydraulic crimpers. They take a lot of effort. But it will give you a fantastic crimp and I have tested it with my voltage drop test setup. This one worked as well as the more expensive ones. The major downside is that it takes a bit of effort to do every crimp, but if youre only doing one system, this is a great option.
Most budget crimpers CANNOT crimp 4/0! This one can and it works great.
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I do not like manual hydraulic crimpers. They take a lot of effort. But it will give you a fantastic crimp and I have tested it with my voltage drop test setup. This one worked as well as the more expensive ones. The major downside is that it takes a bit of effort to do every crimp, but if youre only doing one system, this is a great option.
Most budget crimpers CANNOT crimp 4/0! This one can and it works great.
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Industrial High Leverage Crimper
I still love this thing. Super fast and easy to use, but these days I am using electric only. I have crimped thousands of cables with this crimper, but electric is just better.
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I still love this thing. Super fast and easy to use, but these days I am using electric only. I have crimped thousands of cables with this crimper, but electric is just better.
Click Here to purchase
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. I have cut open the crimps many times and they look great!
UPDATE: I tested cables made with this crimper and even though the crimper looks perfect when you cut it open, it was not! The resistance was a lot higher than the other crimpers. I do NOT recommend using this one. I understand this might be all that people can afford sometimes, so I will leave it here. But I am not using this crimper any longer.
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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. I have cut open the crimps many times and they look great!
UPDATE: I tested cables made with this crimper and even though the crimper looks perfect when you cut it open, it was not! The resistance was a lot higher than the other crimpers. I do NOT recommend using this one. I understand this might be all that people can afford sometimes, so I will leave it here. But I am not using this crimper any longer.
Click Here to purchase
Torque Wrenches and Screwdrivers for
Electrical Terminals
If you are working with DC or AC electronics, you need a torque wrench AND screwdriver. There are lots of budget options on the market today, but it is crucial to tighten copper and aluminum to the proper torque spec. If not, the connection will loosen with time and can cause a fire. I have a lot of torque wrenches and screw drivers, these are my favorites:
Most terminals are rated in Nm or In Lbs. This torque wrench is perfect for this application. The quality is fantastic for the price and I love it.
Click Here to Purchase
Click Here to Purchase
There are a lot of these available, but this is the original. Best bang for your buck and I still use mine a lot. Easy to adjust and just works. The head holds on to bits nicely and if you need extra torque, the included attachment helps a ton.
For the money, you cannot beat this one. If you go cheaper than this, you may regret it.
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For the money, you cannot beat this one. If you go cheaper than this, you may regret it.
Click Here to Purchase
Want to spend some money? This is the fluke of torque screwdrivers. Made in germany and a perfect tool. No better than the one above it in my experience, but the bits and locking mechanism are fantastic. It is designed to work with electrical connections, and once you have it, you will reach for it more than the others. Solid device.
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If you want these high quality german made bits without the torque screwdriver, click here for their standard kit
Click Here to Purchase
If you want these high quality german made bits without the torque screwdriver, click here for their standard kit
Heat Shrink and Heat Gun
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.
Use marine grade heat shrink only! The adhesive inside is fantastic for offgrid system connections.
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with Adhesive
Protect large and small terminal connector joints with heat shrink. Simply slip some on and heat it up with a heat gun.
Use marine grade heat shrink only! The adhesive inside is fantastic for offgrid system connections.
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My Favorite Budget Voltage/Clamp meter
This is the cheapest clamp meter that can do inrush current. Never had an issue and it gives me the same results as my $800 meter. If you do not want to spend a lot of money, this is the way to go.
If you want to spend some money, get Fluke
This is what I use every day. They are super expensive, but dang do they work! Most engineers and electricians that have a fluke will run them for 20+ years. I have dropped mine and use it daily, never had an issue.
The reason I bought a fluke is for doing inrush and graphing current readings on a graph for my videos. Instead of setting up a whole system with a shunt and recording and graphing everything out, I can just clamp this on a wire and instantly know what is going on. It has been a god send.
If all you need is a basic DC clamp meter, they have this model:
Click Here to Purchase
If you want what I use every single day, this is what I use:
Click Here to Purchase
The reason I bought a fluke is for doing inrush and graphing current readings on a graph for my videos. Instead of setting up a whole system with a shunt and recording and graphing everything out, I can just clamp this on a wire and instantly know what is going on. It has been a god send.
If all you need is a basic DC clamp meter, they have this model:
Click Here to Purchase
If you want what I use every single day, this is what I use:
Click Here to Purchase
Thermal Imaging
I use these everyday. Might be overkill for a solar system, but once you have one, you will use it often for hvac, automotive, insulating a house and so much more!
Once you finish building a system, you can easily check all the connections in seconds.
I was using a klein thermal camera for some years, but this one is superior! Works so well and the pixel density is amazing.
Click Here to Purchase
Once you finish building a system, you can easily check all the connections in seconds.
I was using a klein thermal camera for some years, but this one is superior! Works so well and the pixel density is amazing.
Click Here to Purchase
Soldering Iron
Cheap Adjustable Power supply
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.
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.
My favorite small impact gun. If you do not have it, buy it. You will use it everyday. This is the one you need if you are doing electrical work. The other impacts they make strip everything out. This thing is perfect for metal screws and more.
Click Here for a cheap price
Click Here for a cheap price
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.
The fuel version is worth every penny. I run this tool daily.
This is what I used to cut batteries open quickly.
Click Here for a cheap price
The fuel version is worth every penny. I run this tool daily.
This is what I used to cut batteries open quickly.
Click Here for a cheap price