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Looking for Recommendations on What Wire to Buy for 160' from PV Panels to Battery

phall777

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Apr 3, 2022
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Hello, I bought Will's book hoping to find what recommendations to use for a 160' run (where the sun is on my land) to the batteries (in the house). But the book only goes up to 22'. Watching Will's videos I see that I need Marine grade (outside) copper wire ONLY. And that I will need Marine Grade copper tinned lugs. But what gauge wire do I need? I am looking at buying the Bluetti AC-300 for supplying as much power to my home as possible for off grid living.

Thank you for your kind consideration and answer(s) to my query.

Here is a link to the system since many have requested it:

https://www.bluettipower.com/products/ac300-2-b300-3-pv200?_pos=4&_sid=a113dc738&_ss=r
 
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You need to specify a few things.

1) How many volts will the wire carry?
2) How many amps will the wire carry?
3) What kind of installation is it? Is this above ground or below ground wiring?

I don't know any of the specifics in Will's book, but marine grade stuff is normally only needed where corrosive issues are present, and even then, its a convenience so you don't have to take other precautions. Generally, unless you're in a corrosive environment like a boat or a tropical location with high humidity, marine grade anything is a bit over-kill and just adds extra expense.

You need to answer questions 1,2 and 3 for anyone to give you a reasonable answer or guidance. Without that information, its like saying "I need directions to a place" without telling us what the place is...
 
An easy way to answer the questions about voltage and amperage is to tell us details about your solar panels. Post the full specs of your panels and tell us how many you have and how they are arranged.
 
There is a Voltage Drop Calculator that the users of this forum recommend using:


Note: As an example, I'm using the following wires for my solar instalation:

#10 AWG between the PVs and the Combining box, (150V 12A) distance between 25 and 50 ft for each string.
#6 AWG between the Combining box and the SCC (150 V 24A) distance 150 ft.

3/4" PVC conduit between each PV and the Combining box.
1" EMT conduit between the Combining box and the SCC.

You should also inlude a Ground wire.
 
An easy way to answer the questions about voltage and amperage is to tell us details about your solar panels. Post the full specs of your panels and tell us how many you have and how they are arranged.
I am looking at the following configuration from Bluetti (LINK BELOW) as it should go a long way in getting me off grid. It is not yet purchased. I am just trying to figure out if I can reasonably do a wiring configuration to go with it since the sunshine on my property is 160' away. I hope this answers your question as I am a perfect newbie. I mean brand new. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR KIND HELP.. https://www.bluettipower.com/products/ac300-2-b300-3-pv200?_pos=4&_sid=a113dc738&_ss=r
 
You need to specify a few things.

1) How many volts will the wire carry?
2) How many amps will the wire carry?
3) What kind of installation is it? Is this above ground or below ground wiring?

I don't know any of the specifics in Will's book, but marine grade stuff is normally only needed where corrosive issues are present, and even then, its a convenience so you don't have to take other precautions. Generally, unless you're in a corrosive environment like a boat or a tropical location with high humidity, marine grade anything is a bit over-kill and just adds extra expense.

You need to answer questions 1,2 and 3 for anyone to give you a reasonable answer or guidance. Without that information, its like saying "I need directions to a place" without telling us what the place is...
1) How many volts will the wire carry? Please forgive me I'm so new I don't know how to get this information. I am trying to figure out exactly what wires I need to buy.
2) How many amps will the wire carry? I still have to purchase the wire. Trying to make the right decision. I came here for advise to know what wire I should buy. I hope that answers your question.
3) What kind of installation is it? Is this above ground or below ground wiring? Not sure yet. But Will did do a video saying to ONLY use marine grade outside. That's why I said "marine".

Below is the link for the system I want to buy. Very simple and already done for me except the wire from the battery to the solar panels 160' away. :)

 
There is a Voltage Drop Calculator that the users of this forum recommend using:


Note: As an example, I'm using the following wires for my solar instalation:

#10 AWG between the PVs and the Combining box, (150V 12A) distance between 25 and 50 ft for each string.
#6 AWG between the Combining box and the SCC (150 V 24A) distance 150 ft.

3/4" PVC conduit between each PV and the Combining box.
1" EMT conduit between the Combining box and the SCC.

You should also inlude a Ground wire.
Thank you so much for the Voltage Drop Calculator. It will indeed be valuable. So you ARE actually using #6AWG at a distance of 150'. Bluetti says to use MC4 Connectors. And Will says there is much junk on Amazon. The MC4 Connectors I did find on Amazon only go down to #8AWG. Does anyone know if Will has on his website recommendations for the #6AWG MC4 Connectors and 160' lengths of the #6AWG wire? I'm brand new here. Forgive me please if I'm being redundant or not making much sense. I'm learning as fast as I can. :)
 
If you don't know how to get the information, ask an electrician :·)
If your brother-in-law isn't an electrician ;·), you can ask here, but you would have to give people enough data to work it out.
Such as, specifications on the panels. And proposed number of them.

Hint: if you put enough panels in series, you can get pretty much any voltage. The more voltage, the less amps. The less amps, the less the wire gauge is relevant. Especially since, say (for the sake of discussion) you have 1000V, and a 10V drop over 160'. You're left with 990V, which is not relevant :·)

So, state proposed panels (hint: the blue handles do nothing to increase performance ;·) specs.
From panels to battery, to work out performance over distance, one would just need the data on the panels. The battery specs would help, but not be essential.
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STOP! DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING. I swear man you are about to POTENTIALLY make a multi-thousand dollar mistake.

I am new to all this but I am seeing major red flags in your post. Do more research, watch some more videos, search for topics on here. I am new myself and realize already some things I have done wrong.

You need to understand that there is different voltage systems. For running wire long distances you probably want a higher voltage solar system so that you can run smaller wire.

I dont know much about that system you have chosen but the simple fact that yoy do not know the voltage means you should pause and learn more.
 
If you don't know how to get the information, ask an electrician :·)
If your brother-in-law isn't an electrician ;·), you can ask here, but you would have to give people enough data to work it out.
Such as, specifications on the panels. And proposed number of them.

Hint: if you put enough panels in series, you can get pretty much any voltage. The more voltage, the less amps. The less amps, the less the wire gauge is relevant. Especially since, say (for the sake of discussion) you have 1000V, and a 10V drop over 160'. You're left with 990V, which is not relevant :·)

So, state proposed panels (hint: the blue handles do nothing to increase performance ;·) specs.
From panels to battery, to work out performance over distance, one would just need the data on the panels. The battery specs would help, but not be essential.
-
 
You’re doing good asking. The most important advice is….don’t buy anything yet…don’t. No batteries, no panels, no controllers, etc.

There is a lot to learn and we want to help you avoid mistakes.

You may find, after leaning some stuff, that there are other, better options, than you understand today. 160’ is a long way and may be expensive.
 
You’re doing good asking. The most important advice is….don’t buy anything yet…don’t. No batteries, no panels, no controllers, etc.

There is a lot to learn and we want to help you avoid mistakes.

You may find, after leaning some stuff, that there are other, better options, than you understand today. 160’ is a long way and may be expensive.
Thank you Blue Dog for your kind reply. Here it is; It is a solar generator (already set up for the most part EXCEPT the wires.) With the inflation we're facing since it is the #1 generator out there today, the cost may skyrocket in a few months or overnight or with the supply chain issues, it may become totally unavailable at all. Further we have an out of hand/mind government who wants to cut everyone off from services that does not agree with them. I need to move now. Basically, if I can just get some good recommendations on high quality wire and MCP connectors that would be great. :)
 
Not sure if this is correct, as I am a newbie as well. I also agree with Bluedogs advice also.
I used info for panels on the link you shared.
 

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Not sure if this is correct, as I am a newbie as well. I also agree with Bluedogs advice also.
I used info for panels on the link you shared.
Thank you so much. That was exceedingly kind. Some of the terminology on the calculator was foreign to me so I was unable to complete it myself. :)
 
Thank you so much for the Voltage Drop Calculator. It will indeed be valuable. So you ARE actually using #6AWG at a distance of 150'. Bluetti says to use MC4 Connectors. And Will says there is much junk on Amazon. The MC4 Connectors I did find on Amazon only go down to #8AWG. Does anyone know if Will has on his website recommendations for the #6AWG MC4 Connectors and 160' lengths of the #6AWG wire? I'm brand new here. Forgive me please if I'm being redundant or not making much sense. I'm learning as fast as I can. :)
I used MC4 only to connect the VP to the combiner box (10 AWG - 25 to 50 ft for each string).

There is no MC4 between my combiner boxes and my Solar Switch (box) located near my SCC (6 AWG - 150 ft).
 
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Hello, I bought Will's book hoping to find what recommendations to use for a 160' run (where the sun is on my land) to the batteries (in the house). But the book only goes up to 22'. Watching Will's videos I see that I need Marine grade (outside) copper wire ONLY. And that I will need Marine Grade copper tinned lugs. But what gauge wire do I need? I am looking at buying the Bluetti AC-300 for supplying as much power to my home as possible for off grid living.

Thank you for your kind consideration and answer(s) to my query.

Here is a link to the system since many have requested it:

https://www.bluettipower.com/products/ac300-2-b300-3-pv200?_pos=4&_sid=a113dc738&_ss=r
160’ is a long way to run DC current without significant voltage loss. My recommendation would be to locate your inverter/battery shed close to the solar panels and run 6AWG AC cable to your home. Make sure batteries are heated if temps fall below 33 degrees. AC has much less degradation over distance than DC which is why Edison lost and Tesla won electrifying America. I am running 880 watts of panels 15 feet to my controller using 8AWG.
 
160’ is a long way to run DC current without significant voltage loss. My recommendation would be to locate your inverter/battery shed close to the solar panels and run 6AWG AC cable to your home. Make sure batteries are heated if temps fall below 33 degrees. AC has much less degradation over distance than DC which is why Edison lost and Tesla won electrifying America. I am running 880 watts of panels 15 feet to my controller using 8AWG.
Just a note on this... I'm debating an install that requires almost the same amount of distance. Currently the cost of 6AWG AC cable is astronomical and the thickness makes the install more difficult (at least from a DIY perspective. Hiring an electrician to actually run the cable just adds to the cost). I can get 6AWG PV cable for about half the cost and do it myself.

That being said, I'm still weighing the pros and cons of both :)
 
160’ is a long way to run DC current without significant voltage loss. My recommendation would be to locate your inverter/battery shed close to the solar panels and run 6AWG AC cable to your home. Make sure batteries are heated if temps fall below 33 degrees. AC has much less degradation over distance than DC which is why Edison lost and Tesla won electrifying America. I am running 880 watts of panels 15 feet to my controller using 8AWG.
I spent most of the day yesterday reading user manuals and trying to get a handle on this. Most of the references I came across said that the loss would only be around 3% and that that would amount to if the normal charging is 4 hours then it would take 4 hours and 40 minutes. If I am wrong please correct me. I'm getting ready to hit the purchase button, but am sooo very new at this. Thank you. :)
 
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