Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
As I posted in the other thread, I went ahead and got the HQST foldable 100w solar panel with the PWM controller attached.
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Works fine but I need to tweak it a bit and so I'm soliciting some input from the experts here. :sombrero:
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I need to make a cable that runs from the controller (which is mounted on the back of the panel) to the truck or trailer (I'm going to set it up so I can use it on either one.) My T@B already has an SAE connector attached to the battery, but my understanding is that it was specifically made for ZAMP solar panels and for some weird reason is wired "backwards" from most SAE plugs.
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My plan is to switch the wires on the built-in SAE so it is no longer backwards and will work with other accessories (like a battery tender, etc.) Then I will make a cable to run from the PWM controller (mounted on the solar panel) to the truck/trailer.
.
My questions are: 1. What gauge of wire should I use? I Had some old 10 gauge wire in my toolbox and man, was that tough to work with! Too thick, too stiff, and I couldn't attach the wires to the SAE plug by twisting and taping (I don't have a soldering iron - yet.) I would rather use a smaller gauge wire - maybe 12 or even 14 gauge - just for light weight, flexibility and ease of working with it. But would 12 or 14 be too small and cause too much loss of power?
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Second question, if I go with 12 or 14 gauge wire, what should be the max length? Obviously, the longer the wire is, the easier it is for me to park the trailer or truck in the shade and put the solar panel in the sunlight. But, again, I understand that having a wire that is too long will cause me to lose power through the wire length. So is there a formula for figuring optimum length? Ideally I'd like to have at least 20' of wire, that should allow me to offset the panel no matter where the sunlight is.
.
Thanks in advance for any help! :ylsmoke:
.
Works fine but I need to tweak it a bit and so I'm soliciting some input from the experts here. :sombrero:
.
I need to make a cable that runs from the controller (which is mounted on the back of the panel) to the truck or trailer (I'm going to set it up so I can use it on either one.) My T@B already has an SAE connector attached to the battery, but my understanding is that it was specifically made for ZAMP solar panels and for some weird reason is wired "backwards" from most SAE plugs.
.
My plan is to switch the wires on the built-in SAE so it is no longer backwards and will work with other accessories (like a battery tender, etc.) Then I will make a cable to run from the PWM controller (mounted on the solar panel) to the truck/trailer.
.
My questions are: 1. What gauge of wire should I use? I Had some old 10 gauge wire in my toolbox and man, was that tough to work with! Too thick, too stiff, and I couldn't attach the wires to the SAE plug by twisting and taping (I don't have a soldering iron - yet.) I would rather use a smaller gauge wire - maybe 12 or even 14 gauge - just for light weight, flexibility and ease of working with it. But would 12 or 14 be too small and cause too much loss of power?
.
Second question, if I go with 12 or 14 gauge wire, what should be the max length? Obviously, the longer the wire is, the easier it is for me to park the trailer or truck in the shade and put the solar panel in the sunlight. But, again, I understand that having a wire that is too long will cause me to lose power through the wire length. So is there a formula for figuring optimum length? Ideally I'd like to have at least 20' of wire, that should allow me to offset the panel no matter where the sunlight is.
.
Thanks in advance for any help! :ylsmoke: