Quote:
Originally Posted by Autosnap
I think I was concerned about pushing 800w in 12v from the solar controller. I know it'll never actually get there so I went with 60amps, so you think I need to go with 4awg?
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I forgot to address this question.
The MPPT solar controller will manipulate the volts, amps and watts coming from the solar panels to give the battery bank what it needs for the most efficient charging. It wouldn't be uncommon for your controller to put out more amps than the collective amperage (~40A) coming from the panels. However, 6AWG wire should be quite sufficient.
On my system, I fused my solar panels with inline MC4 fuses at each panel.
https://www.amazon.com/BougeRV-Contr...00&sr=8-2&th=1
I also installed a PV circuit breaker between the solar panels and the controller, mainly so that I could turn off the current from the panels to the controller for maintenance purposes. Like, if you ever shut off your battery switch, you want to shut off the solar first. Then (when your done) turn on the battery switch first, then the solar breaker. The solar controller needs to read the battery voltage first. Doing it wrong can damage some solar controllers.
You are going to need some special tools for this project as well. You'll need cable cutters (for the 4/0 wire), wire strippers, 6AWG-4/0AWG Hydraulic Cable Lug Crimper (or it's cheaper manual counterpart), heat gun, Ferrule Crimping Tool Kit, heat gun.
I find using wire end ferrules on the smaller wires (10G and smaller) to be extremely helpful for the cleanest, easiest and best connections when inserting wires into devices like the solar controller, PD charger, fuse panel, ATS,,,, anywhere that you have a bare wire end. The ferrule just crimps on the end of the wire so that you don't have straggler wire strands. It makes the whole job so much easier and faster.
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