Solar cable thru fridge vent
Planning out my solar system and I see most go thru the fridge vent. Are you drilling a hole from the side and running cable down shaft or using fittings? I read that you stay on opposite side of fl...
Forum Discussion
DAS26miles wrote:
Question, what are maximum amps and length for 10 and 12 awg with 5% loss for 12 volt ?
Can you use 12 awg directly from panels to branches 5 feet away and then use 10 awg to the controller?
Your max amps will be shown on the panel specs. For PWM controller - you didn't specify but I assume that it's PWM - you use panel Isc for amps. The "ampacity" of #10 wire - max amps it can conduct safely - is 30A, as I recall.
Use V-drop calculator separately for #12 pigtail and #10 extension cable, the one in my link or any other similar calculator. Add both V-drop numbers.
Yes, you can use #12 pigtail with #10 extension if total V-drop is within the norm. All panels come with #12 pigtail (if there is a pigtail), even big 280W panels.
You CAN have #8 extension cable if you have to. Unlimited Solar have it, good quality and reasonable cost. It's recommended to stay within 2-3% V-drop, but, like I said, PWM and MPPT have different requirements and you didn't say what controller. Or - what panel(s).
To avoid pains of thick cable, there is an option to go series connection and MPPT controller. Especially if total panels area is over 180W-200W.
