High Amp weatherproof connection for Truck bed

[shade]

I found this old post by Maine Sail referenced in a few places, so why not here:

Making Your Own Battery Cables

From reading the rest of the thread, it looks like the wire market has changed in the past ten years. Ancor doesn't carry the price premium it once did, and Berkshire was bought out by Champlain Cable. He identifies the cable GenuineDealz sells as Pacer brand, or at least it was back then.

 

[john61ct]

still is

 

[shade]

Notice the name "Voodoo".
A form of make believe. Use this stuff and make believe its good for the purpose.
At least Voodoo had decency to print "CCA" in its 'specs.
Legitimate 'ExPo Guys buy wire and cable made by reputable manufacturers.

CCA? Thank you, no.

 

[DaveInDenver]

CCA? Thank you, no.

Yup, avoid.

CCA = copper clad aluminum. They plate an aluminum core conductor with copper. There are legitimate reasons why it's done, cheaper, lighter, allows you to solder to aluminum core and for some applications it's an acceptable compromise. It's fine if you know its aluminum wire and you use it as such and pay appropriately.

Mostly it's done in consumer stuff to give the illusion of higher quality. Sometimes it's not even aluminum but steel wire washed with copper. That is pure junk.

 

[PSea]

Yup, avoid.

CCA = copper clad aluminum. They plate an aluminum core conductor with copper. There are legitimate reasons why it's done, cheaper, lighter, allows you to solder to aluminum core and for some applications it's an acceptable compromise. It's fine if you know its aluminum wire and you use it as such and pay appropriately.

Mostly it's done in consumer stuff to give the illusion of higher quality. Sometimes it's not even aluminum but steel wire washed with copper. That is pure junk.

So this won't suffice for a 300w 24v panel? 12a?

 

[Bayou Boy]

Wha's wrong with the quality wire from the Genuinedealz? I know we all like to order from Amazon but sometimes there are things that are just better ordered elsewhere.

 

[shade]

So this won't suffice for a 300w 24v panel? 12a?

CCA wire is prone to breaking from vibration & flexing. Your application seems prone to both.

Wha's wrong with the quality wire from the Genuinedealz? I know we all like to order from Amazon but sometimes there are things that are just better ordered elsewhere.

Makes sense to me.

 

[PSea]

Wha's wrong with the quality wire from the Genuinedealz? I know we all like to order from Amazon but sometimes there are things that are just better ordered elsewhere.

well, I'd like something that's a bigger gauge, like 8awg, but has more flexibility to it, like a jumper cable. And that wire seemed to fit the bill. Haven't bought it yet. Wanted input. But that's why it interested me. I'm using this for a solar panel that I can set up at a distance from the trailer.

 

[john61ct]

Bay Marine sells on Amazon. Better to buy direct, but whatevs.

 

[Bayou Boy]

well, I'd like something that's a bigger gauge, like 8awg, but has more flexibility to it, like a jumper cable. And that wire seemed to fit the bill. Haven't bought it yet. Wanted input. But that's why it interested me. I'm using this for a solar panel that I can set up at a distance from the trailer.

8awg is probably overkill for any panel you are going to carry around. How many watts are you looking at?

Also, if you want something flexible like a jumper cable, just buy a jumper cable and cut the ends off. Replace it every year for $30-40 if you feel you need to.

 

[DaveInDenver]

8awg is probably overkill for any panel you are going to carry around. How many watts are you looking at?

He mentioned 300 watts, 24 V panels. I wondered the same thing. So about 10 to 12 amps at most.

I'd just do 12/2 marine, maybe 10/2 to get the drop a little lower. I don't think he said how far.

12/2 AWG Gauge Marine Wire Tinned Copper Boat Cable Flat Duplex Genuinedealz.com

12 AWG Gauge 2 conductor marine wiring is flat duplex DC boat wire Made in the USA and flexible with fine stranded tinned copper

www.genuinedealz.com

 

[Bayou Boy]

He mentioned 300 watts, 24 V panels. I wondered the same thing.

300watts is a ton to carry around. A ton.

Anyway, now that I think about it, the Pacer wire in 8AWG from GenuineDealz will coil in about an 8" diameter due to the tiny strand size. It doesn't get more compact than that.

 

[shade]

300watts is a ton to carry around. A ton.

Anyway, now that I think about it, the Pacer wire in 8AWG from GenuineDealz will coil in about an 8" diameter due to the tiny strand size. It doesn't get more compact than that.

I see the 10/2 available in flat or round. Is there much difference in the flexibility?

 

[PSea]

300w is one residential panel.
I plan to have two wire runs. One for 20' and the other about 50'. Trying to minimize voltage drop. Look at a wire gauge calculator. You'll see. ;-)

 

[john61ct]

Yes even a pretty small truck can get over a kW on the roof.

What expo-class vehicle's going to worry about a couple hundred pounds?