diy solar

diy solar

12v System, what wire should I get.

B

Bongerscc

New Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2024
Messages
22
Location
Amarillo Texas
First I wanted to list what I am using.





www.homedepot.com

Stanley Rolling Workshop Tower STST60500 - The Home Depot

Store all of your go-to tools in 1 convenient place with the Stanley Modular Rolling Tool Box. This 3-in-1 portable workshop solution includes a deep, extra-large bin for safe and convenient storage of
www.homedepot.com

www.homedepot.com

Stanley 23 in. 50 Gallon Mobile Tool Box 037025H - The Home Depot

50 Gal. capacity, suitable for large power tools and accessories. Large, heavy-duty metal latches with pad lock eyes. Unique tote tray sits conveniently on the pull-out steel handle, increasing the available
www.homedepot.com

For now I have not gotten the rolling tool box yet. The inverter and Battery are bigger than I thought and I might just buy another battery to double the compacity in the future. So I need to measure things out some.

I have read and read and read and my head hurts. If I understand right I need 4/0 cable from the inverter to the battery??? I have read that a 2000 watt inverter at 12v will put out around 170amps, but it can be a bit higher. I do not plan on using it that way but if I need to it would be nice. There are no good solar panels around here for sale used but I will be out and about this summer in CO. I will not always be using just these two small 100watt panels. I was really thinking of getting 30 feet of PV 8awg So I could run what ever I wanted in the future??? Is it better to do that or just go with 10awg???? Charge controller can handle 100v/50amps for now I know those 100 watt panels will not really tap in to it.

I was going to use 6 awg from the charge controller to the battery that is the max wire size that it can take. I have watched so many videos and looked at so many charts and they seems that they are going with small wire from the battery to the inverter, why is that?

Just trying to figure out the wire size for all the system. I am buying all the crimp tool and stuff so I can just do it my self.

Thank you for your input.
 
Bongerscc said:
I have read that a 2000 watt inverter at 12v will put out around 170amps, but it can be a bit higher.
Click to expand...
I tend to wire thicker, 4/0 for a 2000 watt inverter. The inverter will still deliver 2000w watts, even at the low voltage cutoff, so the inverter could draw 200 amps. but thit around 85% efficient, so it could pull 240 amps. For example, my RV AC pulls 1470 from the inverter, but with efficiency losses, my inverter pulls 1700 watts from the battery.
Bongerscc said:
I was going to use 6 awg from the charge controller to the battery that is the max wire size that it can take. I have watched so many videos and looked at so many charts and they seems that they are going with small wire from the battery to the inverter, why is that?
Click to expand...
I think this is a good idea, max wire size for the inverter.
Bongerscc said:
I will not always be using just these two small 100watt panels. I was really thinking of getting 30 feet of PV 8awg So I could run what ever I wanted in the future???
Click to expand...
There will be some difficulty finding an MC4 connector with 8 AWG wire. You may need to get creative on how you wire this.
 
Bongerscc said:
First I wanted to list what I am using.





www.homedepot.com

Stanley Rolling Workshop Tower STST60500 - The Home Depot

Store all of your go-to tools in 1 convenient place with the Stanley Modular Rolling Tool Box. This 3-in-1 portable workshop solution includes a deep, extra-large bin for safe and convenient storage of
www.homedepot.com

www.homedepot.com

Stanley 23 in. 50 Gallon Mobile Tool Box 037025H - The Home Depot

50 Gal. capacity, suitable for large power tools and accessories. Large, heavy-duty metal latches with pad lock eyes. Unique tote tray sits conveniently on the pull-out steel handle, increasing the available
www.homedepot.com

For now I have not gotten the rolling tool box yet. The inverter and Battery are bigger than I thought and I might just buy another battery to double the compacity in the future. So I need to measure things out some.

I have read and read and read and my head hurts. If I understand right I need 4/0 cable from the inverter to the battery??? I have read that a 2000 watt inverter at 12v will put out around 170amps, but it can be a bit higher. I do not plan on using it that way but if I need to it would be nice. There are no good solar panels around here for sale used but I will be out and about this summer in CO. I will not always be using just these two small 100watt panels. I was really thinking of getting 30 feet of PV 8awg So I could run what ever I wanted in the future??? Is it better to do that or just go with 10awg???? Charge controller can handle 100v/50amps for now I know those 100 watt panels will not really tap in to it.

I was going to use 6 awg from the charge controller to the battery that is the max wire size that it can take. I have watched so many videos and looked at so many charts and they seems that they are going with small wire from the battery to the inverter, why is that?

Just trying to figure out the wire size for all the system. I am buying all the crimp tool and stuff so I can just do it my self.

Thank you for your input.
Click to expand...
1/0 awg is minimal for 12 volts 2000 watts. I would use 2/0 awg and a 200 amp fuse to the inverter.
 

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Bongerscc said:
First I wanted to list what I am using.





www.homedepot.com

Stanley Rolling Workshop Tower STST60500 - The Home Depot

Store all of your go-to tools in 1 convenient place with the Stanley Modular Rolling Tool Box. This 3-in-1 portable workshop solution includes a deep, extra-large bin for safe and convenient storage of
www.homedepot.com

www.homedepot.com

Stanley 23 in. 50 Gallon Mobile Tool Box 037025H - The Home Depot

50 Gal. capacity, suitable for large power tools and accessories. Large, heavy-duty metal latches with pad lock eyes. Unique tote tray sits conveniently on the pull-out steel handle, increasing the available
www.homedepot.com

For now I have not gotten the rolling tool box yet. The inverter and Battery are bigger than I thought and I might just buy another battery to double the compacity in the future. So I need to measure things out some.

I have read and read and read and my head hurts. If I understand right I need 4/0 cable from the inverter to the battery??? I have read that a 2000 watt inverter at 12v will put out around 170amps, but it can be a bit higher. I do not plan on using it that way but if I need to it would be nice. There are no good solar panels around here for sale used but I will be out and about this summer in CO. I will not always be using just these two small 100watt panels. I was really thinking of getting 30 feet of PV 8awg So I could run what ever I wanted in the future??? Is it better to do that or just go with 10awg???? Charge controller can handle 100v/50amps for now I know those 100 watt panels will not really tap in to it.

I was going to use 6 awg from the charge controller to the battery that is the max wire size that it can take. I have watched so many videos and looked at so many charts and they seems that they are going with small wire from the battery to the inverter, why is that?

Just trying to figure out the wire size for all the system. I am buying all the crimp tool and stuff so I can just do it my self.

Thank you for your input.
Click to expand...

It’s very hard to go wrong if you use the biggest wire a device is designed for or that will fit properly..
You will benefit a lot if you decide to grow from where you start at…most people grow once they wade a bit further in the water…plus you future decisions will be more easily made..and they will better decisions as you will have learned a lot doing it.
 
chrisski said:
I tend to wire thicker, 4/0 for a 2000 watt inverter. The inverter will still deliver 2000w watts, even at the low voltage cutoff, so the inverter could draw 200 amps. but thit around 85% efficient, so it could pull 240 amps. For example, my RV AC pulls 1470 from the inverter, but with efficiency losses, my inverter pulls 1700 watts from the battery.

I think this is a good idea, max wire size for the inverter.

There will be some difficulty finding an MC4 connector with 8 AWG wire. You may need to get creative on how you wire this.
Click to expand...


I found this web site, I know that I am not using 55 amps yet, but just wanted to buy what works for the future. Spend the money now and do not have to worry about it later on, was my thought.

www.windynation.com

8 Gauge (AWG) Solar Panel Extension Cable Wire with Solar Connectors

Windy Nation's solar panel extension cable is an excellent addition to your solar equipment. You can choose between 8 gauge, 10 gauge, and 12 gauge solar cable and several length options. Your cable will arrive terminated with WNI PV solar connectors. 100% Made in the USA Photovoltaic module...
www.windynation.com
 
I tend to agree with JRH .... but would also stress the importance of using quality lugs and crimp tools. Doing everything possible to make sure you have a good connection. Fuse based on the wire you are using.

Connections are the cause of problems way more often than the wire itself.
 




Something like this. That 4/0 cable is going to kill me, and the ends are high as well, lol.

CB
 
Bongerscc said:
I found this web site, I know that I am not using 55 amps yet, but just wanted to buy what works for the future. Spend the money now and do not have to worry about it later on, was my thought.

www.windynation.com

8 Gauge (AWG) Solar Panel Extension Cable Wire with Solar Connectors

Windy Nation's solar panel extension cable is an excellent addition to your solar equipment. You can choose between 8 gauge, 10 gauge, and 12 gauge solar cable and several length options. Your cable will arrive terminated with WNI PV solar connectors. 100% Made in the USA Photovoltaic module...
www.windynation.com
Click to expand...
I was going to suggest you try there.. they will make them up for you in 8 ga…I am not vouching for anyone except that they sell them and seem to have a good reputation…I have bought a lot of wires connections crimps and accessories items from them but never custom size cable… not many places carry them . I wouldn’t have worries about buying them there..everything I have gotten from them was fine.

J
 
Bongerscc said:




Something like this. That 4/0 cable is going to kill me, and the ends are high as well, lol.

CB
Click to expand...

I’m Gona be honest here… and many will disagree with me or key my car ….but you are fishing to close to the bottom on some of this stuff…

I’m not aware of a good 39 dollar hydraulic crimper……I have 6 of em and 4 of em suck....( looks at temco crimpers)

I am not aware of a box of 180 real quality copper lugs of decent size for 14 dollars…yeow.!
check out temco or Selterm or Ancor or some others…

If you dont by good stuff at first you will have to stop remove, replace , repeat all your labor and become a heavy drinker in the process .

We all have to stay in some budget in purchases but buying good hurts once ….buying bad hurts more than once and everyday you have to look at it laying on your work bench

Be patient and think logical and budget wisely ….ya can’t turn chicken S*** into chicken salad…

Haaa…good luck..

J.
 
I here you. I was looking at a different battery, and got this one, It is twice what I was going to pay, same with the inverter. One reason I was looking at 8awg PV wire VS 10awg. Cost more but it will do what I want now and later on as well. I will see what I can do. Just trying to do what I can and all. Thank you and putting stuff in my save later cart and other on the internet.
 
Bongerscc said:
I here you. I was looking at a different battery, and got this one, It is twice what I was going to pay, same with the inverter. One reason I was looking at 8awg PV wire VS 10awg. Cost more but it will do what I want now and later on as well. I will see what I can do. Just trying to do what I can and all. Thank you and putting stuff in my save later cart and other on the internet.
Click to expand...
I’m going through the same in a large addition to my system…

Simply put, I just want more things than I have money for …it’s not fair.

I hate having to act like an adult …sensible , prudent and financially responsible…

I miss the 70’ , 80’s and 90’s ….when everything was fun and possible.
 
I here that, 100%. Things cost so much now and yes we get paid more but man, oh man. We are taxed on everything you can think of ever witch way you can think of. I am 46 and I have never seen stuff cost so much. I remember things always being abundant and now not so much. Time to play and win the lotto, lol.
 
Bongerscc said:
I found this web site, I know that I am not using 55 amps yet, but just wanted to buy what works for the future. Spend the money now and do not have to worry about it later on, was my thought.

www.windynation.com

8 Gauge (AWG) Solar Panel Extension Cable Wire with Solar Connectors

Windy Nation's solar panel extension cable is an excellent addition to your solar equipment. You can choose between 8 gauge, 10 gauge, and 12 gauge solar cable and several length options. Your cable will arrive terminated with WNI PV solar connectors. 100% Made in the USA Photovoltaic module...
www.windynation.com
Click to expand...
There’s always the discussion of same brand MC4 cables.

Likely windy nation is selling stabuli 8 AWG MC4 cables or Amphonel h4 cables. Both are UL listed, but only if you plug into the same brand and not mix and match, despite them fitting.

To me a better way is parallel panels to a combiner, and attach the 8awg there. Both methods will work, but one will be to code.
 
This system is really for me to go camping with out in the middle of now where. I will be running my cpap machine on this most of the time and really not much else. I am looking for compacity, and plan on expanding in the future. One reason I did not go with prebuilt systems. This is just going to be a portable system.
 
Bongerscc said:
This system is really for me to go camping with out in the middle of now where. I will be running my cpap machine on this most of the time and really not much else. I am looking for compacity, and plan on expanding in the future. One reason I did not go with prebuilt systems. This is just going to be a portable system.
Click to expand...
You can plan on 20 lbs per 1 kWh of power field lithium, and 25 lbs for a solid portable 100 watt panel. I’ve found this to be limiting on my build.
 
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