Splicing AWG 6 to AWG 12?
I figured out that by running AWG 6 right from the panel, instead of existing AWG 12, the power losses will be cut in half. Only don't know what is the best way to splice #12 to #6 without junction b...
Forum Discussion
I went for perfection with my solar setup and ran 4ga from the controller to the batteries and 10ga from the controller to the panels. It was a pain to do and more expensive and the end result is a setup where my batteries are at 100% within the first 2 hours of daylight. With a 10% current loss the 120 minutes of charge time would instead be 132 minutes. What did I gain in being at 100% by 10:00 AM versus being at 100% at 10:12 AM each day?
Appreciate too that the current carrying ability of wire is largely a function of the area of a cross section of the wire. Going from 4ga to 2ga wire size does not provide double the current capacity but rather an increase of about 59%. Conversely going using 4ga instead of 2ga decreases the current carrying ability of the wire by about 37%.
It seems that the manufacturers undersize the wiring for solar and the average RV owner oversizes the wiring to the same degree if not more.
Appreciate too that the current carrying ability of wire is largely a function of the area of a cross section of the wire. Going from 4ga to 2ga wire size does not provide double the current capacity but rather an increase of about 59%. Conversely going using 4ga instead of 2ga decreases the current carrying ability of the wire by about 37%.
It seems that the manufacturers undersize the wiring for solar and the average RV owner oversizes the wiring to the same degree if not more.
