Wire Sizing for Installing Solar Panels / Wind Generator

[MarkJ]

I used the same size as was coming out the back of the solar panels... plus a 'lil bit

[Bash]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I used the same size as was coming out the back of the solar panels... plus a 'lil bit

This is precisely why you're out on a cruise while the rest of us are examining charts.

This include wire sizing charts, apparently.

[Cletus1219]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

You could install either an Outback flexmax or Xantrex XW charge controller, and wire the panels in series. Then a smaller wire size would be fine.

Not sure what you gain here other than saving the cost of using larger wire at the expense of considerable loss of output when your series-wired panels are shaded by your mast, radar pole, clouds, or what ever. Go parallel with #6 wire and call it a day. I have 500 watts of solar panels wired up this way into an Outback Flexmax controller, and it kicked out 199 amp hours a few days ago. I went six days without running my engine or generator to top up the batteries.