The second Eco-worthy MPPT came today.

Jim, I would ask them what the insulation specification/rating is since that determines where it can be installed safely.

Good idea Ken but know these are portable panels. I'd replace the panels for a matched set if I ever mounted them and go with more suitable wire too.

JiminDenver wrote:
Good idea Ken but know these are portable panels. I'd replace the panels for a matched set if I ever mounted them and go with more suitable wire too.

Then you probably want a UV stable insulation.

Here is a link showing the properties Wire Insulation Properties

EDIT: Here is a better pdf Download

Zip cord is likely to degrade with UV exposure and become brittle. How fast?? don't know. And heat will make it brittle also. So.... it may not be the best choice even if it is free.

We are out only a week or two at a time but even then, if I'll need to replace it in time, it is money down the drain now. I'll look for a better option or just go with the solar cables I'm using on the first system. Twice as expensive but will last.

Thank you for the replies.

BFL

What are you using as a connector for the run to the batteries? I bought lugs for 4 awg but will have to rework them to fit in the slots on the controller.

BTW

I think I know why it got here so fast. The return address is in Ca, not China. So it must be shipping from there as it shipped on the 3rd and I had it the 6th.

On the EcoW terminals, I found the screw down on top part too small but was able to shove #8 in the holes underneath the terminals and the screw goes down there far enough to hold the #8 in place and gives good contact to the underside of the terminal.

The #8 wires are about 18-24 inches long and end in clamps (50a type bigger ones that will clamp on my copper pipe extensions from the battery pos and from the Trimetric shunt.

I use the clamps so I can swap over to my other battery bank with some extra wire and give it some of that fine EcoW if ever my RJ special quits. I have the same thing on the RJ special (this time via #10 pigtails) so I could use the RJ special over to the other bank if the EcoW quits. I can also put both controllers to work on any one of the banks. I like redundancy and max flex.

Thank you BFL, I think I'll skip the lugs then.

I agree with the versatility of the two systems and redundancy. I went with two Eco-w so that they would match up when both were on one bank. I'll test that theory as soon as I get the rest of the gear needed. I bet 30a will push that big ol 8-D around better than 12a did.

Probably won't apply, but a lesson from one of my set-ups last summer using two 20a controllers:

You can save wire going from array-controller by, instead of running two separate long wires all the way to two controllers, you parallel the two arrays near them, run one fatter wire over to the trailer, then put a Y in the fat wire and go to each controller from the Y keeping each leg the same as possible.

Each controller won't do exactly the same amps as would be ideal, but their total amps comes out the same as running two separate long wires all the way.