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How far will 12volt travel?

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DmaxDave:

--- Quote from: OldMucks on Mar 01, 2016, 07:46:36 AM ---To draw 15 amps at that distance you need 42.4 sq. mm wire (1awg).

--- End quote ---

Yeah but a 120W panel will only be producing around 6 amps

Dave

OldMucks:
Probably a bit less allowing for losses.
Try 5 amps = 13.3 sq.mm (6 awg)
     10 amps = 33.6 sq.mm (2 awg)

DmaxDave:
Plus the voltage will be 16 plus, maybe even around 20.

Dave

buzzedman:
If you wanted to put another panel in you could also make use of a MPPT controller to minimise losses...

For my setup, I have 3 x 80W panels on my roof wired in series which gives me somewhere around 50V O.C.
My cable run is about 20M using some 8 gauge twin power cable left over from a PABX upgrade at work. My regulator is a "Victron MPPT 100|15"

I'm no guru on this - but I believe the higher voltages are subjected to less loss over long cable runs, so you are better off carrying your "Watts" with a higher voltage / low current and letting the buck converter in the MPPT regulator convert the power to a lower voltage (12V) and higher current at the end of the cable run.

Might be a setup that could help you out...

Marc.

Richie rich:
Thanks for all your advice guys.. I'll put the battery back in cabin and run good size cable to the panel and see how it goes.. It only runs 5 led strip lights for a couple of nights.5or6 times a year.

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