what size wire do I need
oadkins
Registered Users Posts: 19 ✭✭
I have 14 100 watt panels what size wire do I need from charge controller to 800 amp hour battery bank
Comments
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What is the Vmp/Imp ratings of the panels (assume Vmp~17.5 volts?).
What is the voltage rating of the battery bank (12/24/48volts)?
How far do you want to run the wires from the array to the battery shed/charge controller?
Roughly, were will the system be installed (nearest major city)?
-Bill
Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset -
12 volt system 10 feet from controller to battery bank
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oadkins said:12 volt system 10 feet from controller to battery bank
1400 watts of panels ÷ 11.5 volts = 122 amps.
That 122 amps does not take into consideration controller losses, so your actual current will be a bit less. You should size the wire and the circuit breaker to be 125% of the max operating current.
I don't know about any controllers with that type of capacity, or that even have terminals to handle the heavy gauge wire you would need. A 1400 watt solar array should be used with a 24 or 48 volt system.
--vtMaps
4 X 235watt Samsung, Midnite ePanel, Outback VFX3524 FM60 & mate, 4 Interstate L16, trimetric, Honda eu2000i -
Do you have a choice of charge controller (I.e., 60 amp PWM, 80 amp Outback MPPT, etc.)?
-Bill
Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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