Where to buy Tinned copper solar wire

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by moseriw

As far as I know all copper wire in the US is tinned

That is far from true. Have you been to the home center lately? Hardware store? Auto parts store?

[George DuBose]

Originally Posted by rwidman

"So far as I know there are many ways to skin a cat."


Yep, you can use Romex from the Home Center. It is wire and will last a while.

Excuse me, someone DID mention Romex. ...and that is what the PO used to run power to his home style refrigerator when I bought Skylark. Couldn't open the fridge on starboard tack...

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

George, nobody suggested using Romex on a boat

Correct. I mentioned it only as a wrong way to wire a boat. A way that would seem to work for a few months. A way that a hack would wire a boat.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by George DuBose

Excuse me, someone DID mention Romex. ...and that is what the PO used to run power to his home style refrigerator when I bought Skylark. Couldn't open the fridge on starboard tack...

See my post above. Apparently, you missed the sarcasm.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by thinwater

I think you need to explain what solar wire is. We think it is just tinned wire.

Sound like a sales gimmick to me. Add solar and cost?

[knockabout]

dedicated solar wire is usually aluminium / you can buy tinned marine wire (paired or single) on ebay

[jeepbluetj]

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

My the way, is anyone else here not impressed with MC-4 connectors? Sure, they're the industry standard, and I suppose they actually work reliably, but the contacts seem flimsy to me, and the crimping tabs are small and lightweight. The housing is nice, though.

They definitely seem engineered to a price point. Guessin they were designed with the idea they'd be connected/disconnected once or twice in their lifetime.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by billzona

Hi All,

i am installing NEW solar to my Tayana 42 along with new arch and folding davit. I purchased 3 Solara 140w rigid Marine grade panels with Victron 75/15 MPPT controller. Now on to the wiring. I am shopping for bulk 10 gauge Marine Grade Tinned copper solar wire. I can only find one source via Google, Coastal Climate Control. NO OTHER RESULTS for marine grade wire. Surely you guys have purchased marine grade solar wire by the foot??? Kindly pass along your tips.

Aside from using marine grade tinned wire, Just regular Duplex will work.

More important to me it looks like your choice of MPPT controller is to small. You've got enough in panels to generate approx 22-24AMPs of power, but a controller that maxes out at 15 amps of output... You're losing close to 9 amps of power (1 whole panel)

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by George DuBose

Anybody familiar with ABYC standards?

Electric cables on a boat whether power or sail is subjected to frequent shock loads and vibrations. There are ABYC specifications about how to safely support cable and wire runs.

As I recall, Romex is single strand and not tinned, exactly what one doesn't want on a boat.

Romex Wire Applications
Romex® SIMpull® Type NM-B cable may be used for both exposed and concealed work in normally dry locations at temperatures not to exceed 90°C (with ampacity limited to that for 60°C conductors) as specified in the National Electrical Code. NM-B cable may be run in air voids of masonry block or tile walls where such walls are not subject to excessive moisture or dampness. Voltage rating for NM-B cable is 600 volts.

Romex® SIMpull® Type NMD90 cable may be used for both exposed work in dry locations or concealed work in dry or damp locations. The maximum allowable conductor temperature is 90°C. The minimum recommended installation temperature is minus 25° C for two-conductor cables, and minus 10°C for three-conductor cables (with suitable handling procedures). Material should be properly stored above 0°C for 24 hours prior to installation. The maximum voltage rating for all intended applications is 300 volts. Consult the Canadian Electrical Code for further information related to applications.

This is EXACTLY what one DOESN'T want on a boat.

...and not all wire sold in the US is tinned.

Threads that advise using cheap, non-marine standard materials to save a few pennies are really amusing to read. When my and my family's safety is "on the line", the last thing I think about is saving a few cents.

Romex is 110 house wiring, solid strand two conductor with a ground. Should not be permitted close to a boat.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Romex is 110 house wiring, solid strand two conductor with a ground. Should not be permitted close to a boat.

Again, the sarcasm was missed.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by rwidman

Again, the sarcasm was missed.

No sarcasm. If your house is subject to s lot of movement and vibration don't use Romex. Maybe this is the sarcasm or wire your car with it.

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by pcmm

Aside from using marine grade tinned wire, Just regular Duplex will work.

More important to me it looks like your choice of MPPT controller is to small. You've got enough in panels to generate approx 22-24AMPs of power, but a controller that maxes out at 15 amps of output... You're losing close to 9 amps of power (1 whole panel)

His panels are 25.1v @5.58a. Will work fine.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by DotDun

His panels are 25.1v @5.58a. Will work fine.

Actually its not 420 watts MPPT'd down works out to approx 30amps ( before effeciency losses) he'd be loosing nearly half the potential output! While the controller can handle the watts input, you're loosing a lot of potential output. Its better to have a controller with "Spare capacity" than one that is overworked. Just my thoughts

[jcapo]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

... cause all panels I have seen come with several feet of PV wire attached to them

Unless the panel has a proper junction box like my Kyocera panels. Seems to me that those connectors exposed to weather is not a good idea.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Cadence

No sarcasm. If your house is subject to s lot of movement and vibration don't use Romex. Maybe this is the sarcasm or wire your car with it.

Exactly.

Non-tinned THHN stranded wire is permitted by the USCG, but not solid. Finely stranded wire is required on engines.

Heck, I've seen solid wire crack inside conduit. It does not like repeated flexing.