wire size

[ron45]

Can't find a wire chart higher than 48v. `have 1.3 KW KC 130s on a Zw. tracker, at a distance of 175 feet from batt. `have two strings of 5 at 109.5 v. and 14.9 amps. per string. These will be paralled and go to Classic 200v. mppt. What wire size?

Suppose I cut distance to 150 or so. Would it come out to a $ savings in wire? i.e. drop to next smaller size. Thanks for yor time.

Ron

[niel]

for a run distance of 175ft and a total current of 29.8a this would be seen as,

#4 3.02%
#2 1.9%

some prefer under 3% and some prefer under 2% with under 2% being better.

cutting the distance to your 150ft example will change it some to look like this,

#4 2.59%
#2 1.63%

i did not go further in listing other gauge numbers as they are either higher in the voltage drop % than acceptable
or the wire costs are higher for the better voltage drop %s. if you can shorten the distance more, then do it.
#6 wire won't be about 3% until the run length is under 110ft. this is for copper wire only as other metals change things.

[ron45]

Niel, thank you for the help. Do you know of a site that explains the math involved. I'd like to be able to do this next time it comes up.

Ron

[niel]

ron,
sorry for the long delay as i don't know how this got skipped and is shown as read by me.

you can do this yourself by going here,
http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/showthread.php?t=29