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
BFL13 has it exactly right. He said… “In the OP's case, he has that freezer inverter load going all day, so his battery voltage is never going to get very high.” Exactly and is why I was originally going to connect directly to the battery without a controller. But after what if’ing it I decided why take the risk and decided to add a controller now since I expect to need one latter anyway.
He said… “He will do better with the solar than without it, but he is still going to be a generator and charger guy.” Again exactly right. And if I’m going to spend my money on some solar I not only want to maximize my return but more importantly I think I’m going to need all the amps I can scrounge up.
Then BFL13 said… “Sooo, as the OP has been saying, he has two things to do:
A. get some solar- simple portable (say two 120w for ease of handling instead of one heavy huge 240) on cheap PWM on a long wire for parking in the shade. Don't fuss about exactly how much it will do, just accept whatever it does for you any given day…. Exactly right again except that is not my nature “not to fuss.” And right or wrong all of the above is on order with only some minor differences. And as for cables I’m going to do like Tom M is doing and make up different length cables because I’m guessing there will be locations that 25 or 50 feet may be all I need to find sun. And right or wrong I’m going to get another roll of the cheap 2 wire #10 AWG wire like I already have and either make up a set of cables for each panel (hey I may be too lazy to set up both panels sometimes) or combine them into one if after some more garbage in garbage out stuff with those wire loss calculators tell me to.
B. get the biggest amp charger his generator can run (PowerMax 75,85, and 100 amper size are PF corrected so a Honda 2000 ought to be able to run one--I don't know for sure) This will probably be my next school of hard knocks. I’m going to try and get by with my 55 amp Iota and a portable. I have, right or wrong a 2K Champion and access to a 2nd one if I need it. I don’t know yet what it is capable of or what its limitations are but will start playing with it after I get my batteries all in.
Speaking of batteries, I think I read in a thread some time back but can’t find it now, that you should break in new batteries and suggestions on how to do it. If that is correct and any one can point me to it I would be forever grateful. And if anyone wants to make suggestions I will graciously accept them. I have 2 new T-105’s. I have charged them, run a recondition cycle, run an equalize cycle with a VEC1098 & put them on a battery minder since I brought them home. Do I need to do anything else before I start using them hard?
I have learned so much from all you guys it is unbelievable. Just know that each and every one of you are appreciated, even the guys that have not said anything because odds are I have read & learned something you have contributed in different thread.
Thanks everyone and
GO WSU!!!! :B
He said… “He will do better with the solar than without it, but he is still going to be a generator and charger guy.” Again exactly right. And if I’m going to spend my money on some solar I not only want to maximize my return but more importantly I think I’m going to need all the amps I can scrounge up.
Then BFL13 said… “Sooo, as the OP has been saying, he has two things to do:
A. get some solar- simple portable (say two 120w for ease of handling instead of one heavy huge 240) on cheap PWM on a long wire for parking in the shade. Don't fuss about exactly how much it will do, just accept whatever it does for you any given day…. Exactly right again except that is not my nature “not to fuss.” And right or wrong all of the above is on order with only some minor differences. And as for cables I’m going to do like Tom M is doing and make up different length cables because I’m guessing there will be locations that 25 or 50 feet may be all I need to find sun. And right or wrong I’m going to get another roll of the cheap 2 wire #10 AWG wire like I already have and either make up a set of cables for each panel (hey I may be too lazy to set up both panels sometimes) or combine them into one if after some more garbage in garbage out stuff with those wire loss calculators tell me to.
B. get the biggest amp charger his generator can run (PowerMax 75,85, and 100 amper size are PF corrected so a Honda 2000 ought to be able to run one--I don't know for sure) This will probably be my next school of hard knocks. I’m going to try and get by with my 55 amp Iota and a portable. I have, right or wrong a 2K Champion and access to a 2nd one if I need it. I don’t know yet what it is capable of or what its limitations are but will start playing with it after I get my batteries all in.
Speaking of batteries, I think I read in a thread some time back but can’t find it now, that you should break in new batteries and suggestions on how to do it. If that is correct and any one can point me to it I would be forever grateful. And if anyone wants to make suggestions I will graciously accept them. I have 2 new T-105’s. I have charged them, run a recondition cycle, run an equalize cycle with a VEC1098 & put them on a battery minder since I brought them home. Do I need to do anything else before I start using them hard?
I have learned so much from all you guys it is unbelievable. Just know that each and every one of you are appreciated, even the guys that have not said anything because odds are I have read & learned something you have contributed in different thread.
Thanks everyone and
GO WSU!!!! :B
