Concerned about wire sizing (Newbie warning)

[NoMoreGreen]

When we set up campsites using the 220 watt Ecoflow bifacial solar panel, we often have to place the panels 10-15 feet away from the camp site. We store the glacier and river 2 pro inside the tent.

We also use a renogy e.flex 220 watt panels.

The xt60i connector is 12 gauge wire and a bit over 8 feet long.

When I build PV cables I use the same wire every time. 10 gauge pv wire rated for 600v.

So with the panel pushing 18 volts, 220 watts, + another 220 watt from the renogy panel if I run them in series. So call it 440 watts and 18 volts connected in series this puts me roughly at 24.5 amps.

15 feet run at 25 amps puts me at 10 gauge wire. My concern is I can’t control the Ecoflow xt60i connected being 12 gauge wire. How do I correctly address this wire and amperage? Do I need to learn xt60i connectors and build my own cables now to plug into the ecoflow devices?

 

[sunshine_eggo]

When we set up campsites using the 220 watt Ecoflow bifacial solar panel, we often have to place the panels 10-15 feet away from the camp site. We store the glacier and river 2 pro inside the tent.

We also use a renogy e.flex 220 watt panels.

The xt60i connector is 12 gauge wire and a bit over 8 feet long.

When I build PV cables I use the same wire every time. 10 gauge pv wire rated for 600v.

So with the panel pushing 18 volts, 220 watts, + another 220 watt from the renogy panel if I run them in series. So call it 440 watts and 18 volts connected in series this puts me roughly at 24.5 amps.

Panels don't push. Charge controllers pull.

Panels in series will run at the Imp of the lowest Imp panel.

You're describing two panels in series. Only their voltage adds, not their current.

15 feet run at 25 amps puts me at 10 gauge wire. My concern is I can’t control the Ecoflow xt60i connected being 12 gauge wire. How do I correctly address this wire and amperage? Do I need to learn xt60i connectors and build my own cables now to plug into the ecoflow devices?

Household 12awg is rated for 20A. This is a limitation of the insulation, which is typically rated for 60, 75 or 90°C. Some insulation is rated for 105° (marine application) and 200°C (silicone), and can carry more current, so it just depends on the specific wire.

Does the wiring have anything printed on the insulation?

What is the maximum PV current the Ecoflow can use? I have seen many models limited to 15A, so it doesn't matter what the panels can do, the unit will never draw more than 15A.

 

[Supervstech]

If you are placing the panels in seires, meaning one panel connected to the other positive of one panel connected to negative of the other panel, then the positive of that panel connected to the wire feeding the controller, and the negative of the first panel also feeding the controller (DC input/xt60i).

If however, you are connecting the positives of each panel to the positive of the xti and the negatives of each panel to the xti, you are putting the panels in parallel, and the amps do increase.

I think the ecoflow devices can take 60V, so series is the best way to wire them.

 

[NoMoreGreen]

Panels don't push. Charge controllers pull.

Panels in series will run at the Imp of the lowest Imp panel.

You're describing two panels in series. Only their voltage adds, not their current.



Household 12awg is rated for 20A. This is a limitation of the insulation, which is typically rated for 60, 75 or 90°C. Some insulation is rated for 105° (marine application) and 200°C (silicone), and can carry more current, so it just depends on the specific wire.

Does the wiring have anything printed on the insulation?

What is the maximum PV current the Ecoflow can use? I have seen many models limited to 15A, so it doesn't matter what the panels can do, the unit will never draw more than 15A.

Thanks for the correction on the amps not adding. That is indeed an oversight as I am looking at this this evening.

The wire says

(UL) pv wire 2x10 awg 90c wet or dry 600v sun res -40.

Again, thanks for pointing out the oversight of pushing power vs pulling. The Ecoflow devices are indeed limited to 13 amps max.

Thank you supervstech for pointing out my mistake of calling it series when it should have been parallel. Still trying to memorize these terms correctly. I do however understand why series would be better. Probably should have started this post not during holiday season.

The way my brain was processing this task was to build to the max of the panels and distance requirements. However, using correct math, and a different logic maybe better.

 

[Supervstech]

Thanks for the correction on the amps not adding. That is indeed an oversight as I am looking at this this evening.

The wire says

(UL) pv wire 2x10 awg 90c wet or dry 600v sun res -40.

Again, thanks for pointing out the oversight of pushing power vs pulling. The Ecoflow devices are indeed limited to 13 amps max.

Thank you supervstech for pointing out my mistake of calling it series when it should have been parallel. Still trying to memorize these terms correctly. I do however understand why series would be better. Probably should have started this post not during holiday season.

The way my brain was processing this task was to build to the max of the panels and distance requirements. However, using correct math, and a different logic maybe better.

If the amps are limited to 13, in parallel, you only get 234W
In series you get twice as much. 13A x 18V is 234, 13A x 36v is 468W.
So, if you have voltage headroom in the charger, but amperage limits, you use higher voltage to get as much wattage into the system from the solar.