How to plan a solar system

[British Red]

Thank you. Ref;the 4 into 1 leads. I cant work it out though if you get 2 leads (enough to connect four panels) or just one for £19. I am very nearly there now. xxx

That kit will produce up to 6 leads. To wire in parallel, each panel will require two leads (a positive and a negative)

The 4 in one connectors are a pair so just order one

 

[demented dale]

That kit will produce up to 6 leads. To wire in parallel, each panel will require two leads (a positive and a negative)

The 4 in one connectors are a pair so just order one

i tried but they out of stock for 2 months. i have nearly sourced everything you said. i hav got a couple of small questions to ask and i will then put the stuff in an online basket and ask you to ok it pldease before i press buy now. thank you. dale x

 

[British Red]

Of vourse

i tried but they out of stock for 2 months. i have nearly sourced everything you said. i hav got a couple of small questions to ask and i will then put the stuff in an online basket and ask you to ok it pldease before i press buy now. thank you. dale x

No problem

 

[demented dale]

It sounds like the sort of thing you need & you can always send it back!

BR these are my last questions before buying it all
1, i now want the controller and any batteries inside. the best place for the panels to go is about 15 meters away. can i run a cable that distance?
2. on a 12v setup under 30amps can i use 4mm cable or is 6mm better?
3. I have already bought this (link below) how does the out lead to the battery work? can I attach wires? it looks like a plug. can you get a fitting that connects to the batteries?

https://bateriapower.com/products/30a-12v-24v-pwm-solar-charge-controller?variant=48742452068644
Thank you ever so much for your help. I have learnt loads. I will send you shopping list for your confirmation later. thanks again, dale x

 

[British Red]

BR these are my last questions before buying it all
1, i now want the controller and any batteries inside. the best place for the panels to go is about 15 meters away. can i run a cable that distance?
2. on a 12v setup under 30amps can i use 4mm cable or is 6mm better?
3. I have already bought this (link below) how does the out lead to the battery work? can I attach wires? it looks like a plug. can you get a fitting that connects to the batteries?

https://bateriapower.com/products/30a-12v-24v-pwm-solar-charge-controller?variant=48742452068644
Thank you ever so much for your help. I have learnt loads. I will send you shopping list for your confirmation later. thanks again, dale x

Dale,

1) You can run a cable that far but thicker means less loss. Join your panels near to the panels & just run two leads (positive & negative) to the charge controller

2)Under 30 amps 4mm is okay. 6mm is good up to 50A plus. Long runs of 4mm risk loss.

3) It should come with cables with crimped on battery lugs that plug straight in.

 

[demented dale]

Dale,

1) You can run a cable that far but thicker means less loss. Join your panels near to the panels & just run two leads (positive & negative) to the charge controller

2)Under 30 amps 4mm is okay. 6mm is good up to 50A plus. Long runs of 4mm risk loss.

3) It should come with cables with crimped on battery lugs that plug st

Brill I am clear with all that except in answer 1. where it says "join your panels near to the panels" what does that mean?. thank you x

 

[British Red]

Brill I am clear with all that except in answer 1. where it says "join your panels near to the panels" what does that mean?. thank you x

Use the 4 in 1 right beside the panels then run a lead from the output to the charge controller. That way you only need 2 times 15m leads rather than 8

 

[demented dale]

Use the 4 in 1 right beside the panels then run a lead from the output to the charge controller. That way you only need 2 times 15m leads rather than 8

Ah yes. I was gona do that. here are the items i have got in my basket

Renogy Solar Panel PV Cable 0.5/1.5/3/4.5/6m 4/6mm² Extension w/ M&F Connector | eBay

Renogy 30W 50W 100W 175W 200W 320W 640W Solar Panel 12V Mono Off Grid RV Caravan. Renogy 0.5/1.5/3/4.5/6m 4/6 mm² Solar Panel Extension Cables. Like all other MC4 Extension Cables, this product allows for greater customization of the solar power system.

www.ebay.co.uk

Renogy Y Branch Solar Connectors Panel Parallel Splitter Coupler Cable FM MF | eBay

Renogy 30W 50W 100W 175W 200W 320W 640W Solar Panel 12V Mono Off Grid RV Caravan. Renogy Solar Panel Branch Connectors. Renogy Solar Panel Y Branch Connectors. Renogy 3 to 1 Solar Panel Y Branch Connectors.

www.ebay.co.uk

The control panel you know about already. The two leads to the control panel are 6mm and 1.5 meter (the long cable is on hold for now ). can you confirm i have got the right stuff please. I am certain I have but would be good to have your say. Thank you. d x

 

[British Red]

Ah yes. I was gona do that. here are the items i have got in my basket

Renogy Solar Panel PV Cable 0.5/1.5/3/4.5/6m 4/6mm² Extension w/ M&F Connector | eBay

Renogy 30W 50W 100W 175W 200W 320W 640W Solar Panel 12V Mono Off Grid RV Caravan. Renogy 0.5/1.5/3/4.5/6m 4/6 mm² Solar Panel Extension Cables. Like all other MC4 Extension Cables, this product allows for greater customization of the solar power system.

www.ebay.co.uk

Renogy Y Branch Solar Connectors Panel Parallel Splitter Coupler Cable FM MF | eBay

Renogy 30W 50W 100W 175W 200W 320W 640W Solar Panel 12V Mono Off Grid RV Caravan. Renogy Solar Panel Branch Connectors. Renogy Solar Panel Y Branch Connectors. Renogy 3 to 1 Solar Panel Y Branch Connectors.

www.ebay.co.uk

The control panel you know about already. The two leads to the control panel are 6mm and 1.5 meter (the long cable is on hold for now ). can you confirm i have got the right stuff please. I am certain I have but would be good to have your say. Thank you. d x

Hi Dale, the combiner is correct and should connect to the charge controller fine. You may need a number of extension leads to connect the panels to the 4 in 1 depending on how long the supplied leads are but what you are ordering looks fine

 

[demented dale]

Hi Dale, the combiner is correct and should connect to the charge controller fine. You may need a number of extension leads to connect the panels to the 4 in 1 depending on how long the supplied leads are but what you are ordering looks fine

thanks . i will let u know how i get, be next month now as away working thanks again x

 

[demented dale]

For those of us interested in homesteading and off grid living, solar power is becoming increasingly approachable. One tricky aspect of building such things is understanding how all the components are compatible.

Our latest video explains how to get the right number of panels, the right type of batteries and even wire gauge based upon the hub of the system - the charge controller

Hello BR I had hoped to send you a post showing my panels up and running. Instead I founfd that the solar charger I sent off for has a plug coming from the it to the battery but no leads to connect it to the battery. I looked on their website and they dont seem to have any. What did you do please? https://bateriapower.com/products/30a-12v-24v-pwm-solar-charge-controller

 

[demented dale]

For those of us interested in homesteading and off grid living, solar power is becoming increasingly approachable. One tricky aspect of building such things is understanding how all the components are compatible.

Our latest video explains how to get the right number of panels, the right type of batteries and even wire gauge based upon the hub of the system - the charge controller

Hello BR I had hoped to send you a post showing my panels up and running. Instead I founfd that the solar charger I sent off for has a plug coming from the it to the battery but no leads to connect it to the battery. I looked on their website and they dont seem to have any. What did you do please? https://bateriapower.com/products/30a-12v-24v-pwm-solar-charge-controller

 

[British Red]

Hello BR I had hoped to send you a post showing my panels up and running. Instead I founfd that the solar charger I sent off for has a plug coming from the it to the battery but no leads to connect it to the battery.

Hi Dale,

My unit just has screw terminals for leads. That said yours looks to be an Anderson plug on the end. I'm surprised that they didn't come with a lead to fit it with either battery lugs or croc clips but it's easy enough to make some. That said I would contact Bateria and ask for some!

5 Pairs 30AMP Mini For Anderson Style Connector & Rubber Black Covers/Sleeves HL | eBay

Quantity: 5 pairs. - Material: Polycarbonate (PC), stainless steel shrapnel, copper. - Interface mode: plug and unplug. It also acts as a good finger grip to aid in removal. - Quick connection and disconnection, simple and safe;.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[demented dale]

Hi Dale,

My unit just has screw terminals for leads. That said yours looks to be an Anderson plug on the end. I'm surprised that they didn't come with a lead to fit it with either battery lugs or croc clips but it's easy enough to make some. That said I would contact Bateria and ask for some!

5 Pairs 30AMP Mini For Anderson Style Connector & Rubber Black Covers/Sleeves HL | eBay

Quantity: 5 pairs. - Material: Polycarbonate (PC), stainless steel shrapnel, copper. - Interface mode: plug and unplug. It also acts as a good finger grip to aid in removal. - Quick connection and disconnection, simple and safe;.

www.ebay.co.uk

Thank you BR. Tell me please would these be suitable.

50A/For Anderson Plug,Lead To Lug M8 Terminal Battery Charging Connector Cable | eBay

1 50Amp connector+M8(optional). - Product: 12AWG 50Amp for Anderson Plug Extension Cord. - Material: PVC + Copper. - Extension cord length: 30cm, 50cm, 100cm (optional). Just follow the Guest Checkout instructions.

www.ebay.co.uk

Also I have conntacted the solar company. yes, it seems a bit odd ghat they came with none and there are none available

 

[British Red]

Thank you BR. Tell me please would these be suitable.

Looks right but hard to be 100% without having the unit in my hand

 

[demented dale]

Looks right but hard to be 100% without having the unit in my hand

Thanks. yeh I get that. I will await reply off company first. bizzarre buisness practice I think. x

 

[demented dale]

Looks right but hard to be 100% without having the unit in my hand

Hello BR and thank you. The company, somewhat ridiculously, does not supply any leads. Do you think these will do. I noticed that they are 50 amp but does that matter? Thanks again for your help. I think we might be nearly there. dale x

Cable with crocodile clips and a battery plug for 40W-100W folding solar kits | eBay

We strongly believe that solar and wind energy can provide significant benefits and we are doing our best to allow you to buy these quality solar products at fair prices. The battery plug on the end of cable is compatible with a 50A Anderson plug.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[British Red]

Hello BR and thank you. The company, somewhat ridiculously, does not supply any leads. Do you think these will do. I noticed that they are 50 amp but does that matter? Thanks again for your help. I think we might be nearly there. dale x

Cable with crocodile clips and a battery plug for 40W-100W folding solar kits | eBay

We strongly believe that solar and wind energy can provide significant benefits and we are doing our best to allow you to buy these quality solar products at fair prices. The battery plug on the end of cable is compatible with a 50A Anderson plug.

www.ebay.co.uk

50A is fine for your setup

 

[Stew]

Hello BR and thank you. The company, somewhat ridiculously, does not supply any leads. Do you think these will do. I noticed that they are 50 amp but does that matter? Thanks again for your help. I think we might be nearly there. dale x

Cable with crocodile clips and a battery plug for 40W-100W folding solar kits | eBay

We strongly believe that solar and wind energy can provide significant benefits and we are doing our best to allow you to buy these quality solar products at fair prices. The battery plug on the end of cable is compatible with a 50A Anderson plug.

www.ebay.co.uk

I would be suspicious about using their kit at all if that’s the attitude around the leads.

 

[demented dale]

I would be suspicious about using their kit at all if that’s the attitude around the leads.

Stew. it does seem like that but Its actually really good kit and recommended. The battery lead is the only one they dont supply. it is idiotic buissness practice more than anything else and annoying. x