I have done some searches and found a LOT of information but I'm having trouble zeroing in on one definitive answer. Forgive me if this has been answered 1000 times.
I have 6 x EG4 (48v 100AH) batteries connected to 4 x 5000es inverters. I am pushing 160 amps to the batteries when charging. Right now each inverter has #2 connecting to battery busbar in battery cabinet. That is fine but I am having balancing issues. The cables all connect to the top of the busbar and the batteries charge and discharge at different rates based on distance from the cables. As much as 10% over a full charge cycle. Going from 30% in the morning to full, the top 2 will be 100% then 3-6 will be 93% 92% 91% 90%. I would like to bring them closer. I have flipped the busbar in the battery rack on the negatice side and plan to hook the power that way but cables are too short. The plan now is to get 2 busbars to hook the inverters to and one cable from the busbar to the batteries. Still hooking positive to top and negative to bottom. All that to ask this... What size wire would be proper for 160amps constant. I typically push 160amps for several hours each day to fill batteries. The charts seem to say 2/0 for 200 amps (wiggle room). Other places say smaller is fine. I don't want to waste money but also don't wanna do it over or start a fire.
The real problem I have with the charge difference is that 160amps for 6 batteries is fine but when 2 finish before the rest now I am pushing 160 amps to 4 batteries. So on and so forth.
Bonus points if you can tell me the best size chunk of copper to use for the busbar. I'm thinking 1/2 x 1.
Would I be better off using 2x #2 cables from each battery busbar to each invberter busbar. Have 2 negative from the battery to the negative busbar. it it's a 12" busbar then have each cable go to each end of the inverter busbar. Do the same for the positive. I already have some #2 that might be enough if that is an acceptable solution.
Thanks All
I have 6 x EG4 (48v 100AH) batteries connected to 4 x 5000es inverters. I am pushing 160 amps to the batteries when charging. Right now each inverter has #2 connecting to battery busbar in battery cabinet. That is fine but I am having balancing issues. The cables all connect to the top of the busbar and the batteries charge and discharge at different rates based on distance from the cables. As much as 10% over a full charge cycle. Going from 30% in the morning to full, the top 2 will be 100% then 3-6 will be 93% 92% 91% 90%. I would like to bring them closer. I have flipped the busbar in the battery rack on the negatice side and plan to hook the power that way but cables are too short. The plan now is to get 2 busbars to hook the inverters to and one cable from the busbar to the batteries. Still hooking positive to top and negative to bottom. All that to ask this... What size wire would be proper for 160amps constant. I typically push 160amps for several hours each day to fill batteries. The charts seem to say 2/0 for 200 amps (wiggle room). Other places say smaller is fine. I don't want to waste money but also don't wanna do it over or start a fire.
The real problem I have with the charge difference is that 160amps for 6 batteries is fine but when 2 finish before the rest now I am pushing 160 amps to 4 batteries. So on and so forth.
Bonus points if you can tell me the best size chunk of copper to use for the busbar. I'm thinking 1/2 x 1.
Would I be better off using 2x #2 cables from each battery busbar to each invberter busbar. Have 2 negative from the battery to the negative busbar. it it's a 12" busbar then have each cable go to each end of the inverter busbar. Do the same for the positive. I already have some #2 that might be enough if that is an acceptable solution.
Thanks All
