How to make battery cables for your solar batteries
admin | Aug 15, 2012 | 25 comments
A quick procedure on how to make your own cables to wire your solar/wind battery bank together.
Filed Under: Solar Batteries
A quick procedure on how to make your own cables to wire your solar/wind battery bank together.
Filed Under: Solar Batteries
Im quite sure you have noted that when the CC is charging an empty bank the input array voltage reading is slightly lower than the panel rating. …..but once the bank is full the voltage is very close to is max short circuit voltage. This is because the CC has disconnected the solar array thus the potential energy. A GTI does not do this because it is not designed to do this. It is designed to give the maxium amount of energy the array will give it to match the grid.
The CC will do one of two things with the energy….either store the energy in a carrier (the batteries) or disconnect the panels which is back to potential energy. The GTI is on and converting the static electricity into electricty that matches the grid/inverter. It cannot behave the same way a charge controller does because it is not one.
We disagree then in this one issue. I believe that unused potential energy is a solar panel with its leads dangling in the air. Once it is connected to a GTI or charge controller…whatever …it is then energy …..not potential energy.
In one sentence you say that an inverter can regulate its output and then you say that a grid tie inverter (GTI) cannot, that is incorrect my friend. Neither the off grid nor the grid tie inverters will output more power than it is being consumed. Assume each is 200 watts and both are on and the only load is a 100 watt bulb in the shared circuit, only 100 watts will be produced by both combined. The rest never gets converted it just sits as unused potential energy.
Far be it from me to challenge a man with all those guns : ). Agreed in your setup perhaps. But what if Michaels or another tubers setup is not like yours? Its not a “giant leap” to considered what would happen when the load is say…only 200watts. A PSW inverter and charge controller can regulate thier outputs….the GTI cannot because it is not designed to do so. So where will the excess power go the GTI is putting out under full sun? Its gonna burn something up.
Yes, I was a bit defensive because you made a giant leap to “overpowering” and wanted me to give you examples to backup my claims before people started blowing up their GTIs…that sounds rather challenging, don’t you think? My answer to Michael is correct, a GTI will an off grid pure sine wave inverter as “commercial power” and begin producing power to the local “grids. The GTI doesn’t know if the sine wave is from the street or an inverter because they both look identical.
You appear to be coming across as defensive. I apologize if my comment seemed offensive to you. It was intended as a question not an attack. I am the one who brought up the “overpower” issue after it appeared that you were giving the green light to Michael970 to use his GTI in the manner he asked to use it in. My comment was not intended to question your judgment, it was posted as a matter of discussion so Michael could make an informed desision.
You appear to be coming across as defensive. I apologize if my comment seemed offensive to you. It was intended as a question not an attack. I am the one who brought up the “overpower” issue after it appeared that you were giving the green light to Michael970 to use his GTI in the manner he asked to use it in. My comment was not intended to question your judgment, it was posted as a matter of discussion so Michael could make an informed desision.
Thanks
Thanks for your video’s they are excellent, and very helpful
Whoever said anything about overpowering anything?? Where did you read that?? Can you point me the exact paragraph or phrase in which I make such a claim or is this just a figment of your imagination? Gee, you really have to read the messages more closely and read only what is written without adding anything that is in your head. I welcome your comments, but keep them real dude.
In its intended grid tied application, it is impossible for the GTI to over power the “source” (grid) and you will never have a problem. In a battery (0ff grid) application, I am not so sure. What examples can you give to back this claim before people start blowing up thier GTI’s or inverters?
NAPA or my local Interstate Batteries store, they both carry the battery cables and lugs. You can also get both from your local welding supply shop, welding cables are far superior and the lugs are the same. You can also buy the lugs from Harbor Freight in the welding supply aisle.
Thanks
where are you buying your cables and lugs ?
Good to see your’e back on the solar/wind topic!! Any updates on the Solar or wind set ups?
Yes, as long as you have pure sine wave inverter, your GTIs will see the power in the line as street power and begin producing power as well. Of course make sure you main breaker is turned off.
Glad you find it useful!
hello this is off the subject but i think i heard you say one time that you can trick your GTIs with an inverter.i wanted to know if during a power outage could i use a 240v inverte off my battery bank and shut my my main off and get the power from the inverter to trigger my GTIs to come on.i think i would need pure sine.i thought about switching them on when i had my old genny hooked up but i dont think its pure sine.thanks for your time
Thanks a lot for your helpful videos.. It will be easy for me to make my battery cables and also the cables + lugs for solar and wind turbines
And the the DC disconnect goes between the batt bank and the inverter? Or between the controller and the batt bank… or both…?
Where did you buy your equipment?
Thanks again.
Thanks buddy, you’re welcome, I hope it was useful.
Thanks, I hope that is useful to you.
Great Video! Like your method for making cables!
@ireland1948 It works for me, you can do it any other way that works for you. Thanks