My 120 watt panel is going to be portable and I think it will be easier to roll and unroll this marine wire that has both wires in an outter sheath rather than 2 PV cables...any reason this would not be OK?, and is 12/2 really all I would need for 30 foot run ??...tia

Yah, any old flexible extention cord should work.

PWM controller?If I did the math right for 30 feet of 12 ga cable you will get almost 8% drop if you get 10 amps out of the panel, so a full volt drop. It's a bit on the high side but should not hurt you much if PWM for a controller.Jim

HiTech wrote:PWM controller?If I did the math right for 30 feet of 12 ga cable you will get almost 8% drop if you get 10 amps out of the panel, so a full volt drop. It's a bit on the high side but should not hurt you much if PWM for a controller.JimI am looking at this controller...http://www.ebay.com/itm/MPPT-10A-Solar-Regulator-Charge-Controller-12V-24V-Autoswitch-Solar-Panel-PKE/290881799183?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D8678238556598550759%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D290881799183%26

120w panel is closer to 7.5 amps Isc.I calculate 0.735v drop but again should not be an issue.If you go close to 100' you will need #10.

If you do MPPT you are giving up some of the benefit with 12 ga wire.Jim

10/2 tinned marine wire for solar panel? | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jun 28, 2013
I like black extension cord - a lot more flexible than 10/2 marine duplex wire. Solder and heat shrink the terminations and it'll last for many years.
HiTech
Explorer
Jun 28, 2013
:)
SCVJeff
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
Why not just use 10ga Monster Cable, or its equivalent? It's super flexible zip cord and Oxygen free so electrons go faster.. :)
time2roll
Nomad
Jun 27, 2013
The #10 is only $7 more than the #12
Although I still might get the 12 for less bulk.
mena661
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
RJsfishin wrote:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-FT-10-AWG-GAUGE-ZIP-SPEAKER-WIRE-RED-BLACK-STRANDED-COPPER-POWER-GROUND/230953372520?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D8682251348448179976%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D330882961833%26

Why the expensive marine wire. This is what I'm using, and it is very flexable.
X2, marine wire is way too expensive.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-FT-10-AWG-GAUGE-ZIP-SPEAKER-WIRE-RED-BLACK-STRANDED-COPPER-POWER-GROUND/230953372520?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D8682251348448179976%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D330882961833%26

Why the expensive marine wire. This is what I'm using, and it is very flexable.
HiTech
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
If you do MPPT you are giving up some of the benefit with 12 ga wire.

Jim
time2roll
Nomad
Jun 27, 2013
120w panel is closer to 7.5 amps Isc.
I calculate 0.735v drop but again should not be an issue.
If you go close to 100' you will need #10.
RV_daytrader
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
HiTech wrote:
PWM controller?

If I did the math right for 30 feet of 12 ga cable you will get almost 8% drop if you get 10 amps out of the panel, so a full volt drop. It's a bit on the high side but should not hurt you much if PWM for a controller.

Jim

I am looking at this controller...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MPPT-10A-Solar-Regulator-Charge-Controller-12V-24V-Autoswitch-Solar-Panel-PKE/290881799183?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D8678238556598550759%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D290881799183%26
HiTech
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
PWM controller?

If I did the math right for 30 feet of 12 ga cable you will get almost 8% drop if you get 10 amps out of the panel, so a full volt drop. It's a bit on the high side but should not hurt you much if PWM for a controller.

Jim