Best place for copper cables?

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lolcashcow
lolcashcow Solar Expert Posts: 118 ✭✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
Hi Guys,

I just bought a pure sinewave inverter and it recommends at least 0 gauge copper cable. Is there any good place for copper cables? There seem to be different types of cables out there. What do  you guys recommend? Or can I just get it from a local hardwere store? Would using 4/0 be over  kill? I am considering that instead of 0 gauge. Likely they will just be one foot long.
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  • Raj174
    Raj174 Solar Expert Posts: 795 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
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    Hi lolcashcow,
    The host of this site has 1 foot 2/0 battery cables for 12.81 each, find them here.... http://www.solar-electric.com/installation-parts-and-equipment/wiring-cables-and-connectors/hardware-wire/bainca.html
    4480W PV, MNE175DR-TR, MN Classic 150, Outback Radian GS4048A, Mate3, 51.2V 360AH nominal LiFePO4, Kohler Pro 5.2E genset.
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  • lolcashcow
    lolcashcow Solar Expert Posts: 118 ✭✭
    edited January 2016 #3
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    Raj174 said:
    Hi lolcashcow,
    The host of this site has 1 foot 2/0 battery cables for 12.81 each, find them here.... http://www.solar-electric.com/installation-parts-and-equipment/wiring-cables-and-connectors/hardware-wire/bainca.html

    The smallest I see listed is a 5 feet pair :(  No 1 Footers

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  • Raj174
    Raj174 Solar Expert Posts: 795 ✭✭✭✭
    edited January 2016 #4
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    Here they are..  http://www.solar-electric.com/installation-parts-and-equipment/wiring-cables-and-connectors/hardware-wire/bainca/bainca2awgx11.html

    By the way, which inverter did you get? Something around 24 volt 2000 watt? Just curious
    4480W PV, MNE175DR-TR, MN Classic 150, Outback Radian GS4048A, Mate3, 51.2V 360AH nominal LiFePO4, Kohler Pro 5.2E genset.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #5
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    Go too large, and the wires won't fit into the inverter's wiring port
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • vtmaps
    vtmaps Solar Expert Posts: 3,741 ✭✭✭✭
    #6
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    mike95490 said:
    Go too large, and the wires won't fit into the inverter's wiring port
    That wire also has to fit into the circuit breaker between the battery and the inverter.

    --vtMaps
    4 X 235watt Samsung, Midnite ePanel, Outback VFX3524 FM60 & mate, 4 Interstate L16, trimetric, Honda eu2000i
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  • lolcashcow
    lolcashcow Solar Expert Posts: 118 ✭✭
    edited January 2016 #7
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    Raj174 said:
    Here they are..  http://www.solar-electric.com/installation-parts-and-equipment/wiring-cables-and-connectors/hardware-wire/bainca/bainca2awgx11.html

    By the way, which inverter did you get? Something around 24 volt 2000 watt? Just curious
    I think it is 12v. I'm not sure if it is 24v. I got this one: http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-PROWatt-Inverter-Model-806-1220/dp/B002LGEMOQ/  Xantrex PROWatt 2000 Inverter

    • A/C Output: 120 VAC, 60Hz
    • Power Output: 1800 Watts Sine Wave
    • Input Range: 10.5 15.5 Vdc
    • Includes USB charging receptacle
    • GFCI receptacle
    I made an earlier thread asking about some brand names and Xantrex was the best one that I had listed. Others mentioned 3 more brand names, but the costs were x2 as much as Xantrex. My budget is kind of low so I am hoping the xantrex was a smart decision on my part :( I wasn't sure if spending x2 as much would be wise for me....

    mike95490 said:
    Go too large, and the wires won't fit into the inverter's wiring port

    vtmaps said:
    mike95490 said:
    Go too large, and the wires won't fit into the inverter's wiring port
    That wire also has to fit into the circuit breaker between the battery and the inverter.

    --vtMaps

    I didn't know this :( At least I already ordered the inverter and it suggests up to 4/0 wires so I am hoping since they are listed... that something like 2/0 will work? Should I go 4/0 to be safe? I always hear that you should use the thickest wires. I will also need a breaker in there. The person i am trying to copy says "The breaker trips at 150 amps. " so I will need a breaker of that size at least. The inverter can do 1.8k watts continuous so I guess 150 is a safe point? What about heavy starting loads though? I believe the inverter can handle a starting load of up to 3500 watts but will this trip the breaker because it is 150 amps? 

    This is the set up I am trying to copy: http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?t=13097

    It is going to be on my Nissan Leaf electric car :) and my other thread about the inverters is here

    http://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/350301/help-me-pick-an-inverter-out-of-these-brand-names-reliability?new=1

    Do breakers usually have a size of wires it can take up to?





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  • Raj174
    Raj174 Solar Expert Posts: 795 ✭✭✭✭
    #8
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    According to the manual, this inverter is capable of drawing 200 amps DC. Manual recommends a 250 amp breaker and 4/0 cable, from what I can tell. I recommend not buying the battery to inverter cables until you receive the inverter and check out what size terminal lug you will need..
     
    4480W PV, MNE175DR-TR, MN Classic 150, Outback Radian GS4048A, Mate3, 51.2V 360AH nominal LiFePO4, Kohler Pro 5.2E genset.
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  • lolcashcow
    lolcashcow Solar Expert Posts: 118 ✭✭
    edited January 2016 #9
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    Raj174 said:
    According to the manual, this inverter is capable of drawing 200 amps DC. Manual recommends a 250 amp breaker and 4/0 cable, from what I can tell. I recommend not buying the battery to inverter cables until you receive the inverter and check out what size terminal lug you will need..
     
    Great! Thank you! I did not know I should do that or that it needed that size breaker. I kind of skimmed over the online manual the other night. I saw the cable requirements but did not see thebreaker size :( Thank you for pointing that out ! Here is the manual though they call it the owner's guide http://www.xantrex.com/documents/Power-Inverters/PROwatt-SW/975-0529-01-01_Rev-C(Artwork).pdf and this is the manufacturer website with theproduct http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/power-inverters/prowatt-sw.aspx I also didn't know if I should go 2/0 or 4/0 though I kind of just wanted the biggest size :( Then again I do have to check if it will fit in the breaker but maybe with that size of a breaker it will be designed to take in big cable size?

    I've never bought brakers before but do I need to look out ofr brand names hre also?
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  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭
    #10
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    lolcashcow said:
    Raj174 said:
    According to the manual, this inverter is capable of drawing 200 amps DC. Manual recommends a 250 amp breaker and 4/0 cable, from what I can tell. I recommend not buying the battery to inverter cables until you receive the inverter and check out what size terminal lug you will need..
     
    Great! Thank you! I did not know I should do that or that it needed that size breaker. I kind of skimmed over the online manual the other night. I saw the cable requirements but did not see thebreaker size :( Thank you for pointing that out ! Here is the manual though they call it the owner's guide http://www.xantrex.com/documents/Power-Inverters/PROwatt-SW/975-0529-01-01_Rev-C(Artwork).pdf and this is the manufacturer website with theproduct http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/power-inverters/prowatt-sw.aspx I also didn't know if I should go 2/0 or 4/0 though I kind of just wanted the biggest size :( Then again I do have to check if it will fit in the breaker but maybe with that size of a breaker it will be designed to take in big cable size?

    I've never bought brakers before but do I need to look out ofr brand names hre also?


    YES,  one needs to be particular when specifying DC circuit breakers.

    Here is a Link to the real deal DC breaker that is rated for our type of use:
    http://www.solar-electric.com/installation-parts-and-equipment/midnite/cipr1/high-amperage-inverter-breakers/mnedc250.html

    That breaker needs to be in a box,  and think that is an F-Frame sized breaker.

    These DC breakers are often particular about mounting orientation,  as well ...

    FWIW,   Vic

    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
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