DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Lynx Wind Forum
HTML https://lynxwindforumhtml.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Solar Power
*****************************************************
#Post#: 2418--------------------------------------------------
wire gauge size from panels to battery bank
By: happygolucky Date: April 24, 2014, 8:45 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
there seems to be an argument/rule that the longer the run for
DC power the higher the gauge wire is needed this is true.. i
understand this but there has been some discussion on different
approaches to longer runs..an how to deal with them.. inverters
an batteries need heavy gauge wire an short tie in runs..i know
this, but i want to transfer power to the house now from garage
if i run it there or is there some magical way to make a long
run by the solar source..
HTML http://www.solarrvpanels.com/index.php/chosing-the-proper-wiring-for-your-solar-rv-panels/
in retrospect i have heard differing solutions.....make the
panel voltage the same as AC current 120-220v ??? an you can
run different wire..you lose energy with longer runs of DC wire
as a rule.. you can also use a inverter to get power to the
house?.or convert with a step-up 12v to 120v... an run different
wire..now i'm a novice an under stand some basic electrical
principles.. an to be honest i hate electricity it dangerous an
hurts.. if you do not know what your doing consult an
educate..building codes an house planing wiring etc ...i have
done..different wiring for DC an AC stranded verse solid.. an
you have to account for amps verses high voltage..when i run my
generator I use 10 / 3/30amp ga. from generator to AC outside
NEMA plug to the 100 amp service box inside..all code in he
house it is switched back to solid 12ga .threw 100 amp service
box an lockout..simple
in solar it is a little more complex we are dealing with DC now
straight source an run..an then a conversion to AC... i had to
pick a spot that is a long distance from my batteries an tie in
grid an service grid.. 150 feet, but i have an alternative to
run to the garage an then run to house via separate service
panel after converting to AC back to the house in another
service box an breaker..or figure away to run dc to house over
150 feet! ??? just leave it in garage on service board with DC -
AC separate components in one location at the garage an make a
short run to house seems logical 60 feet threw AC line to
another 60 amp breaker box inside house! ..pma wind will be so
much easier..to run.
any ideas on what to do with a 12v 3/ 100 watt panels for 300
watt array 66volts 18 amp dc solar set up for wiring?
i can run to my garage a 25-30 foot short run maybe with 12ga
solar wire ..10ga maybe better....an run to the house from there
once converted to AC not ideal ..... everything will be
connected to charge controller an battery bank an inverter at
the garage an convert back to AC run to house an leave some DC
at garage for charging... or ..i know crazy said roof mount ,
panels..but that was a big problem..
i hate to consult my electrician he got me for 300$ for
switching a few circuit breakers around an putting a lockout
switch on a 30 amp breaker used at that.. took 19 min. ouch an
he was family.. but it is code!
#Post#: 2419--------------------------------------------------
Re: wire gauge size from panels to battery bank
By: sut Date: April 25, 2014, 7:47 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Now I am just thinking LOL scarey thought I have herd about
micro inverters that are used at the solar panels but I am not
sure what they do or why they use them do a Google search on
them see what you find they may help ya
#Post#: 2420--------------------------------------------------
Re: wire gauge size from panels to battery bank
By: lynx wind Date: April 25, 2014, 8:10 am
---------------------------------------------------------
It may be possible to put the inverters at the panels, but I
have had very poor results with that. Moisture, humidity kill
the electronics quickly. How bad is the power loss with the DC
run? Maybe just live with it? Get the biggest wire you can
afford? Put the panels closer and or put the inverter in your
garage and then run AC?
#Post#: 2425--------------------------------------------------
Re: wire gauge size from panels to battery bank
By: happygolucky Date: April 25, 2014, 9:36 am
---------------------------------------------------------
reply to lynx number 2
lynx, i thought about what you said .. i need power to the
garage also.. . just wanted to have all power sources in one
location near grid tie in an other power sources.. for ease of
maintenance an monitoring it warmer inside in the winter..
i have seen junction boxes near panels maybe they are for
situations such as mine..may have a bus bar for different size
wire runs etc...an circuit breakers etc. i will do some more
research testing to see the loss factor..from different runs an
gauges but chart is pretty clear on the subject.
#Post#: 2427--------------------------------------------------
Re: wire gauge size from panels to battery bank
By: happygolucky Date: April 25, 2014, 11:46 am
---------------------------------------------------------
further investigation into pv/solar wiring it seems i have been
totally misguided an misinformed by others.. i see it says i can
use solid wire... that it is is a myth they say according to
many the skin effect it is the same for each wire application...
so i was wrong there is a loss for the length of run, but how
much is to be determined when connected.
using the stranded wire it is easier to work with when
installing in a conduit or in a junction box etc . as i said i
have seen so much BUNK..myth's or preferences.. i'm only dealing
with 66v an 18 amp on my 3 solar panels just charging battery
banks an may feed the grid later ..
i have 40' of 12ga stranded pv/solar cable rated for 30 amps to
use with a MPPT charge controller whis is rated for 50v max an
25 amps max..... the other is a PWM it s rated for 30 amp max
i have 80' of 12ga solar wire rated at 30amp
an i have 100' regular house wire 12ga solid copper rated for
30 amps
now i have to fit the wire end into a mp4 connector pin should
not be a problem.. one end will be naked +an - to control
charger..
LYNX... an jerrym your right 10ga would be ideal solution for
everything an growth..... but i only have 3)100 watt 12v
nominal voltage panels ) an want to split them into 2 small
circuits.......one 12v nominal 100 watt low voltage for
charging 12v batteries... an the other 2 panels in series
charging in 24v for deep cycle 12v batteries in series 24v
not mixing batteries..... the other is just a single panel for
car batteries for lights running off LJL SC...
have you used 12ga house wire? for solar.. and would it work
according to this it will..with such a small array..we are
talking about the max output of all the above ratings .. on 2
separate charge controllers. an 2 battery banks
HTML http://www.thesolarplanner.com/steps_page9.html
#Post#: 2430--------------------------------------------------
Re: wire gauge size from panels to battery bank
By: lynx wind Date: April 25, 2014, 3:17 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I use 12 gauge wire that is used for outdoor lighting. I get
good wattage into our house grid. It's free energy so I don't
worry about every last watt. My panels look like yours and are
rated at 130 watts each. I have seen about 225 max from two
panels on the best sunny days with less than perfect
orientation. 60 watts in the morning on a cloudy day.
Some of the losses are at the GTI that runs about 85% efficient.
#Post#: 2431--------------------------------------------------
Re: wire gauge size from panels to battery bank
By: happygolucky Date: April 25, 2014, 3:33 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
your right.. ;D i was just doing some reading on wire an they
said you could use both wires ..but experience in low watt an
voltage romax 12ga was better than stranded ,did not break
apart.. that larger stranded was for easy bending on short runs
from battery to inverters.. so i think i'm good with running
12ga .romax up to 40' - 80 ' good for 30 amps an 3% loss..i will
not see that big voltage yet>40' is better to the garage but
cold hard on batteries an me. i would like to put it in the 400
Sq.ft space behind the panels not being used but for storage
long story..with all the windows..
#Post#: 2432--------------------------------------------------
Re: wire gauge size from panels to battery bank
By: nessprojects Date: April 25, 2014, 5:21 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
You are never going to get away from the fact that you need the
thickest wire possible.
1....You could run 2 or 3 lengths of house wiring connected
together at each end to stop the voltage drop.
2....Run the solar to your garage and battery's then convert up
to higher voltage to feed house.
Options with this might be to have your inverter switch on in
the evening using the solar controller, if this is not available
on the controller or you wish to switch it on at your own
convenience then maybe a radio controlled switch that can be
switched on from the comfort of your house.
Maybe this would help but everyone has different setups. I only
have about 50ft of 30 amp cable on my 12v battery from the shed
to the house but boy does that drop power when I start running
about 60w. The battery only has to drop to about 12.4v but the
inverter in the house starts to complain and sounding its alarm.
#Post#: 2433--------------------------------------------------
Re: wire gauge size from panels to battery bank
By: happygolucky Date: April 25, 2014, 6:17 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
when you say 50 foot of 30 amp cable are you talking 12ga
house wire.. cause that's what i have.an it works just make
sure you ground you panels..i have a 40 foot run to garage
stationary or a 80 foot fixed to house with permanent pole
mount...
but i work my best when someone says no! :'( with God all
thing are possible.....
plan B > unit is now mobile. 3 different ways pic one like
you see here... i can do this any time use it tomorrow....an the
tricycle ahh has a nice plate to mount to remove seat an extend
handle bars..with wheel to turn, an big rubber wheels ;D ...all
i have to do is mount 1.5"pole on top an move in position an
anchor, an the third is tire filled with concrete below... with
pole sticking out ..when its dark role it up..disconnect an put
it away for the night can't get stolen.... track the sun twice
a day or once it dose not matter....i am near the house or
garage now full sun... very short run..the panel weigh's 66#
with frame 75# +- it is light an easy to move.. an i have 3
controllers..an lots of wire.... now i can use the pole for an
PMA wind turbine 8)
you can stake all mobile poles down with anchor wire an a ring
harness all ready made..!
thank you lynx for the push ... i work best under stress !
an as i said > necessity is the mother of all inventions.. ;D
sometimes you do get lucky ;)
#Post#: 2434--------------------------------------------------
Re: wire gauge size from panels to battery bank
By: happygolucky Date: April 25, 2014, 6:31 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
tricycle needs a slight modification very slight yes very
easy...to mount solar array... an make it mobile for earth day!
late but yet it is done..save a tree! was the 22 of April..used
tire with pole in concrete for stationary units, but also
mobile.. ???
*****************************************************
DIR Next Page