Portable panels wire size
Hey guys, I need some help. Would you consider giving me some advice please? I’m putting together a portable solar panel setup. The panel’s will be the following. Max Power: 140Wp Open Circui...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
You would be better off with #10-4. I.E. 4 conductors that are #10. Use two for positive and two for negative.
Otherwise, do it right and use #4-2. (or #6-2).
Let's accept 27% voltage drop.
17 x 0.73 = 12.41 volts. Not much charging is going to happen.
If you go to 50 feet then voltage drop is halved.
17 x 0.86 = 14.62 volts. This is a more workable number. A case could be made to have no controller and just a diode to prevent the current running backwards.
Personally I'd spend more and get an MPPT controller and use high voltage panels. It will cost more--but it will work in a far superior manner.
You would be better off with #10-4. I.E. 4 conductors that are #10. Use two for positive and two for negative.
Otherwise, do it right and use #4-2. (or #6-2).
Let's accept 27% voltage drop.
17 x 0.73 = 12.41 volts. Not much charging is going to happen.
If you go to 50 feet then voltage drop is halved.
17 x 0.86 = 14.62 volts. This is a more workable number. A case could be made to have no controller and just a diode to prevent the current running backwards.
Personally I'd spend more and get an MPPT controller and use high voltage panels. It will cost more--but it will work in a far superior manner.
