Wire Gauge Required Question

Almot wrote:

BFL13 wrote:
Based on all of the above, I am going with #8 or fatter wire from my two array contraptions to the controllers.

#8 is an overkill for 60ft with 230W panel - about 2 sizes over. #10 is adequate.

for BFL's case with 24V panels, I'd say anything bigger than #8 is getting into overkill and diminishing returns for ME. The difference between #8 and #10 for his case is noticeable, not a lot, but if you already have the #8 worth using. Anything smaller than #10 would start showing for me a noticeable, avoidable, and unnecessary loss. so #8 or #10 is kinda the "sweet spot".


But each user needs to decide when it is "good enough" "Good enough" for me may be overkill for someone else and "no where near adequate" for another person. Key is "are YOU satisfied with the end result?"

A big advantage of MPPT controllers is the ability to series up the panels and reduce the current to allow longer runs or smaller wire with small losses and not be bound by the panel current like a PWM controller.