How To Size a Wire For Off-Grid Solar Power - Calculation Examples

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Dive deep into the essentials of wire sizing for your off-grid solar power system with this comprehensive guide. From understanding the intricacies of 12V wire sizing for solar systems to calculating inverter cables, this video is your go-to resource for everything related to wire sizing in solar installations.
What You'll Learn:
- The Truth About Wire Size Calculators: Discover why relying solely on calculators might not be the best approach and what you should consider instead.
- Step-by-Step Wire Sizing: We cover everything from voltage drop considerations for solar panels to sizing wires for inverters, charge controllers, and other DC devices.
- Practical Examples: Follow along as we size wires for a real-world off-grid backup system and tackle a client's complex solar setup.
- Safety First: Learn about the importance of wire insulation temperature ratings and how to choose wires that won't overheat, ensuring your system's safety and longevity.
This video covers:
- How to Calculate Wire Size for Solar System: A detailed walkthrough for accurate wire sizing.
- 12V Wire Sizing for Solar System: Special focus on 12V systems, ensuring you select the right wire gauge every time.
- Calculate Inverter Cables: Essential tips for sizing cables for your inverter, maximizing efficiency and safety.

[@cleversolarpower]

My book on Amazon: cleversolarpower.com/off-grid-solar-power-simplified
7 Free off-grid solar diagrams: cleversolarpower.com/free-diagrams/

[@konkaragounakis5924]

Excellent thankyou simple easy to understand 👍

[@Davesivak]

Your videos are extremely good at explaining everything - hats off to you.

[@cleversolarpower]

Glad you like them!

[@brushbum7508]

Thank You ! TAKE CARE..

[@kwikflikzyakadventures3795]

thankyou very helpful video, I will be sure to reference your charts for into, Cheers.

[@sampsonaddo-teye9342]

Thank you very much

[@d.i.d.youknow5808]

Subscribed. Great video for beginners

[@cleversolarpower]

Awesome, thank you!

[@WilliamBrandtSquack]

Solar panel wire size over a distance and how to calculate the size would be awesome. I have a situation where the panels are 600 ft from where the charge controller and battery are going. No I can't shorten the distance!

[@cleversolarpower]

Check the 4th link in the description: Cable size for solar panels: ua-cam.com/video/sxgntlX4EzY/v-deo.html

[@imnguyen6658]

Hello, your illustration shows using 1 battery. How would adding additional batteries affect wire size requirements?

[@cleversolarpower]

Wire size stays the same. Because the load remains the same.

[@nihilvanderhoning1532]

I want to check my house for actual energy use for each appliance before I put in a system. What monitor would you recommend?

[@cleversolarpower]

I cannot recommend one because i have not done it before. However, your energy meter will tell you the power consumption monthly. You can also note down the consumption per day and put it in a spreadsheet.

[@ForgeAheadwithMike]

For the inverter, aren’t you supposed to calculate the max it can put out?
For example, the Victron Multiplus II 24/3000 is a 3,000 W inverter but can handle 5,500 W max (even though for a short period). If I sized for 3,000 W then isn’t that dangerous during max/peak usage?
Or can welding cables handle overcurrent for a certain time?

[@cleversolarpower]

Cables can handle an over current for a specific amount of time, just like breakers and fuses. Depends on how much of the nominal current it is.

[@ForgeAheadwithMike]

@@cleversolarpower Ok, so I should calculate 3,000 W in my equations instead of 5,500 W?

[@user-ld3xk6xv2d]

How do you connect a wind mill

[@cleversolarpower]

I'm not experienced with wind power. However I've heard they are not worth it for small scale systems. Costs a lot and low power output.

[@kamilzarzycki7163]

I just bought a 60A MPPT controller for a campervan, and in the instruction it says that I need 6 mm diameter wire for a controller, but my solar panels (450W and 120W) have 4 mm diameter wire:/

[@cleversolarpower]

The wire size in and out of the charge controller is different. The wire going in the battery will have to be thicker because there is more current. Power= voltage*current

[@mgcreed]

Hopefully my brain retains this after I fall asleep while on auto play

[@cleversolarpower]

My videos tend to make people fall asleep 😄

[@mgcreed]

@@cleversolarpower I'm learning a lot though thank you for your videos

[@juancastro7936]

Lol. I know what you mean😅

[@brushbum7508]

Thank You ! TAKE CARE..