Question is whether there will be significant (preventable?) voltage drop if I use the cables that came with the panel to connect to the BCDC 1225......
-- Edited by Tiyul on Tuesday 1st of October 2013 11:58:32 AM
Question is whether there will be significant (preventable?) voltage drop if I use the cables that came with the panel to connect to the BCDC 1225......
-- Edited by Tiyul on Tuesday 1st of October 2013 11:58:32 AM
Hi
Voltage drop between panel & reg is not so important as between reg & battery.[Since you are removing the existing panel reg& only using the Redarc]
But you will a little of the advantage of a MPPT contoller
The actual watts lost in the cable ARE LOST & cannot be converted
Some examples
6B&S will loose 0.123Watts over 5M run length at peak panel Amps [of 10A]=0.1025% of possible panel output
9B&S will loose 0.247 W =0.205%
So as you can see really nothing to be concerned about
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 1st of October 2013 03:11:27 PM
Hi Tiyul, welcome, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I have a 120w solar panel (not folding) that I replaced the cable that came with it to 6B&S cable and fitted a anderson plug to that, I then attach a 5mtr extension like cable, also 6B&S with Anderson plugs both ends, connected to my Avan then 2 mts came cable (Fixed) to CTeck Smart charger. All works like clock work with no current loss (tested). Just love the system.
Hi Doug
Actually current loss from the PANEL is unlikely no matter what size cable [within reason]
With a PWM reg even doubling the CABLE SIZE between panel & reg will make little difference to the current from the panel/s or into the battery [a perculararity of solar panels]
But with aMPPT reg any loss in WATTS before the reg ARE lost & will result in a lower current into the battery
[Although the current[Amps] output from the MPPT reg will normally be higher than the solar panel {Amps] outputint]
So it should be consdered with high wattage of solar & LONG run distances
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 1st of October 2013 02:12:12 PM
Hi Guys, new on the forum, and I am only a baby nomad....
I have a 160W solar panel; I am taking the regulator it came with, off. I'm hooking it up to a Redarc BCDC 1225 with MPPT controller.
Cable run is 5 metres from panel to battery box.
Question is: is it worth also replacing the (thin) cabling that came with the panel in favour of a 8B&S 5 metre lead, or will the Redarc take up the slack at the battery end. Was just concerned about avoidable voltage/wattage drop....
Hi Guys, new on the forum, and I am only a baby nomad....
I have a 160W solar panel; I am taking the regulator it came with, off. I'm hooking it up to a Redarc BCDC 1225 with MPPT controller.
Cable run is 5 metres from panel to battery box.
Question is: is it worth also replacing the (thin) cabling that came with the panel in favour of a 8B&S 5 metre lead, or will the Redarc take up the slack at the battery end. Was just concerned about avoidable voltage/wattage drop....
Thanks in advance for any help/insights
HI
the Controller/Charger SHOULD ALWAYS be as close to the battery as practical
IF not close,large cables are required to compensate for voltage drop
IT is recommended that the voltage drop between charger &/or controller to the battery be LESS than around 0.2V
Hi Tiyul, welcome, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I have a 120w solar panel (not folding) that I replaced the cable that came with it to 6B&S cable and fitted a anderson plug to that, I then attach a 5mtr extension like cable, also 6B&S with Anderson plugs both ends, connected to my Avan then 2 mts came cable (Fixed) to CTeck Smart charger. All works like clock work with no current loss (tested). Just love the system.
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Thanks for the replies, good people. I think I understand that if I minimize any potential loss before the MPPT regulator, then that can
only be a good thing. A bit of overkill perhaps, but at least fairly confident that most of the rated output that I paid for is being utilised!!
