High Amp weatherproof connection for Truck bed

[shade]

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. ;-)

Is the 20' fixed, and the 50' the cord used for dismounted positioning?

 

[PSea]

Is the 20' fixed, and the 50' the cord used for dismounted positioning?

No. Both are extensions running from the anderson plug at the trailer. Then i just use the length necessary. In the worst case, I could combine tgem for 70' but would expect significant voltage drop. Panel is 40lbs. Less than a jerry can of water...

 

[dreadlocks]

House panels are higher voltage, my 325w is like 60v, with 100ft of 12awg I loose less than 10w..

I use tinned marine copper stranded with Anderson's..

 

[shade]

No. Both are extensions running from the anderson plug at the trailer. Then i just use the length necessary. In the worst case, I could combine tgem for 70' but would expect significant voltage drop. Panel is 40lbs. Less than a jerry can of water...

The panel is probably more awkward than heavy, but 40 lbs seems reasonable for 300W.

What did you decide to use for the extensions? There are 8 & 10 AWG cords available at reasonable prices, but I don't know who makes good ones. Yellow Jacket seems ok.

 

[shade]

I didn't realize solar cable was a specific family of cable. It's got a video and everything!

https://www.awcwire.com/producttoc.aspx?id=solar-cable

 

[john61ct]

volts are volts, amps are amps

degrees of temperature, distance

Understand how these interact, the underlying reasons for making your choices

and you can use whatever you like.

Obviously an extension type cable you take care of and look at and touch every time you deploy it,

does not require the same standard of something

intended to safely operate the life of the vehicle

permanently routed who knows where maybe in extreme conditions.

 

[shade]

Fwiw, there is a wire or cable optimised for just about everything.
Anyway, that wire mentioned is great for permanent installation of fixed solar array, but its seriously miserable stuff if one plans to frequently coil/uncoil and use it for anything portable.

Looks fairly stiff, like it likes to fight back.

 

[Bayou Boy]

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?

I'm not talking about the weight. More the PITA that is going to be storing and moving it around. I'm assuming he wants to use it like a portable panel. A 300w panel is 5.5' x3.5'. I have a fullsize with a camper top and wouldn't want to have to figure out how to store that.

 

[Bayou Boy]

Anyways, I didn't have 8awg at the house. Here's some 4AWG from GenuineDealz.com. Super flexible.

 

[john61ct]

Yes I was not talking portable, but why did you assume that?

The folding type is for portable use, seen up to 180W per unit, can deploy as many as you can afford.

The so-called semi-flexible would quickly break down used that way.

 

[shade]

Anyways, I didn't have 8awg at the house. Here's some 4AWG from GenuineDealz.com. Super flexible.

View attachment 525109

View attachment 525110

View attachment 525111

Thanks. For a solar panel extension, I could see pulling a pair like that through a garden hose and calling it good.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I'm not talking about the weight. More the PITA that is going to be storing and moving it around. I'm assuming he wants to use it like a portable panel. A 300w panel is 5.5' x3.5'. I have a fullsize with a camper top and wouldn't want to have to figure out how to store that.

He clarified that the panel is mounted on a trailer and the extension length needed I surmise depends on how he orients in camp.

 

[DaveInDenver]

How about just get the jacketed pair boat cable and calling it good ? Perhaps one enjoys carrying considerable extra weight and bulk with their extension cord ?
If one is determined to extra bulk and side benefit of save time & money, just buy an appropriate Service Junior cable.

It doesn't have to rocket surgery.

 

[Bayou Boy]

He clarified that the panel is mounted on a trailer and the extension length needed I surmise depends on how he orients in camp.

Missed that with all of the back and forth.

 

[shade]

How about just get the jacketed pair boat cable and calling it good ? Perhaps one enjoys carrying considerable extra weight and bulk with their extension cord ?
If one is determined to extra bulk and side benefit of save time & money, just buy an appropriate Service Junior cable.

Jacketed pair boat cable would work fine in gauges that are available paired, which is why I asked about flexibility earlier.

I was speculating that he was considering a heavier gauge that wasn't.