Solar voltage drop calculations, new question
Using a calculator:
I like this one
When figuring wire size from panels to controller for "12v" panels in parallel and PWM controller, we should use 20v as our input, right??? I see writeups where people use 12v or maybe 14v in their calculations. That doesn't seem right. I have 21v give or take at the input side of my controller. The open circuit voltage in other words.
For MPPT controller I would think 18v would be the proper input into the calculator. Correct me if I'm wrong. Of course from the controller to batteries you still use 14v.
The benefit of using the higher voltage is that you find less loss for a given wire size. Maybe you don't need as big of a wire. Etc.
Edit: Guess I was wrong, see below. Well, it's good to learn. :)
2nd edit: See below.
I like this one
When figuring wire size from panels to controller for "12v" panels in parallel and PWM controller, we should use 20v as our input, right??? I see writeups where people use 12v or maybe 14v in their calculations. That doesn't seem right. I have 21v give or take at the input side of my controller. The open circuit voltage in other words.
For MPPT controller I would think 18v would be the proper input into the calculator. Correct me if I'm wrong. Of course from the controller to batteries you still use 14v.
The benefit of using the higher voltage is that you find less loss for a given wire size. Maybe you don't need as big of a wire. Etc.
Edit: Guess I was wrong, see below. Well, it's good to learn. :)
2nd edit: See below.
