Solar charging

[Cuppa]

My next question was. What about voltage drop through cabling? But its been mentioned. Cuppa, thats another thing i know I have to change on my panels. Do you have and recommendations of where and what to buy? Plus is using aligator clips still o.k to use?

This link should assist Mudski. http://hobohome.com/news/?p=581 The link has been around for a few years but the needed info still holds true.

You will see that the cable sizing depends upon length & the wattage of the panels. For your 190w & say 10 metres of cable you will need at least 9.5mm2 of copper. This equates to to 6 B&S (or 6 AWG) as the next size up that is readily available. 8 B&S (thinner than 6 B&S) would be ok if you keep your cable run to 8 metres. (Probably what I'd do in your situation)

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/aw...uge-d_731.html

You will be surprised how heavy the cable is, but remember it's sizing is about reducing voltage drop, not about it's current carrying capacity. Aim for no more than a 0.3v difference between the output measured at the panel & at the end of the cable.

For the sake of a just a few dollars fitting a 50amp Anderson plug to the end of your cable & to your vehicle (going to battery & regulator) you will get a much better & more secure connection than using alligator clips. Whilst you're at it fit the same at the other end of the cable & to the back of your panel.

Mount the regulator as close to the battery as possible & if you can afford it, get one that has temperature compensation, preferably via a probe that goes to the battery. Even more important if the battery is somewhere subject to extremes, like under the bonnet, & the regulator elsewhere.
Not sure I'd want to put a regulator under the bonnet, so would need to include the distance of cable between battery & regulator in the total distnce of cabling from the panels when working out cabling size. If you just went with 6 B&S it may be a bit of overkill, but you'd be sure you had things covered.


Because of where I live I buy most of my stuff online. Ebay is my friend. eg. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10-METRES...ht_1223wt_1342

Haven't used them but Jay-Dee in Bayswater have all you need & a downloadable catalogue. http://jaydeeautocables.com.au

I bought genuine Anderson plugs after hearing stories of premature corrosion on the connectors of copies (Genuine have a silver coating). Corrosion will give head scratching problems if it becomes a problem.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ws/eBayIS...ht_4649wt_1108 2 pieces per connection.

Cuppa