Is it OK to use solid copper wire between panels and charge controller?

[Chris_NH]

Hi,
It's a 125 watt 12v solar panel with 8 feet of solid copper 14 ga wire from the solar panel to the 10 amp charge controller.
Is there any cause for concern here? Any significant lost power?
Thanks!

[Sunking]

No problem if you use the right termination hardware like Wire Nuts of appropriate size. Every home built uses Wire Nuts and solid copper #12 AWG copper wire.

[Chris_NH]

Thanks.

So it is largely a myth that solid copper wire is a poor choice for DC applications? I've heard from multiple sources that stranded wire is preferable (the more strands inside the better) because the electricity travels only on the outside of each strand and somehow DC requires it. Is this simply bad info?

[PowerSupplyGuy]

AC travels on the outside of conductor. Google skin effect. Stranded wire doesn't do anything for ac current over solid wire unless each strand is individually insulated. Google "litz wire".

Since you are dealing with DC then the complete conductor is utilized. Some may offer that Aluminum wire is less expensive /ohm/foot than
copper. I use copper.


regards,
PSG

[Chris_NH]

Thanks. That was some interesting reading. I assumed that stranded wire was somehow better for DC since everything that I've seen specifically for DC is stranded. All the PV cable that I've bought has been stranded and I assumed the reason was more than just flexibility of the cable.

[Naptown]

Thanks. That was some interesting reading. I assumed that stranded wire was somehow better for DC since everything that I've seen specifically for DC is stranded. All the PV cable that I've bought has been stranded and I assumed the reason was more than just flexibility of the cable.

that has more to do with crimping the terminals such as MC4 connectors to the wires. If running wires in conduit stranded are a bit easier to pull as they are more flexible.

[Sunking]

Thanks. That was some interesting reading. I assumed that stranded wire was somehow better for DC since everything that I've seen specifically for DC is stranded.

No stranded is just easier to work with and easier to terminate, but requires some expensive tools to terminate correctly. Once you get above 4 or 6 AWG it is all stranded. It would take a gorilla to work with otherwise. Well I know of a few electricians whose knuckles drag the ground.

[Naptown]

No stranded is just easier to work with and easier to terminate, but requires some expensive tools to terminate correctly. Once you get above 4 or 6 AWG it is all stranded. It would take a gorilla to work with otherwise. Well I know of a few electricians whose knuckles drag the ground.

Tell me about it. MC4 hand crimper at $600.00

[Sunking]

Tell me about it. MC4 hand crimper at $600.00

Sounds a little high there Rich. But I agree professional grade tools, especially those that are certified for UL systems are high. Be glad you do no tneed crimpers like these. Well maybe you do from time to tim eif working on battery systems. Here is a 15 ton crimper for 6 AWG up to 1000 MCM. Not shown is the electric pump.

[FloridaSun]

Sounds a little high there Rich. But I agree professional grade tools, especially those that are certified for UL systems are high. Be glad you do no tneed crimpers like these. Well maybe you do from time to tim eif working on battery systems. Here is a 15 ton crimper for 6 AWG up to 1000 MCM. Not shown is the electric pump.

The hydraulic power pack on my tube bender can twist up 2 inch pipe like limp spaghetti but for crimping I use my old english flywheel press. Needs no elect and squishes terminal ends on cable just fine. Course it's not so portable as the crimper in your photo. That cast iron flypress weighs over a quarter ton.

[Naptown]

Sounds a little high there Rich. But I agree professional grade tools, especially those that are certified for UL systems are high. Be glad you do no tneed crimpers like these. Well maybe you do from time to tim eif working on battery systems. Here is a 15 ton crimper for 6 AWG up to 1000 MCM. Not shown is the electric pump.

Have a similar one to that too
Greenlee-HK12ID.jpg

[Sunking]

Have a similar one to that too
[ATTACH=CONFIG]2747[/ATTACH]

That looks like the Greenlee version right?

[Naptown]

That looks like the Greenlee version right?

That is similar to the one we have but not exactly. And yes that is the greenlee one in the picture

[SunEagle]

That is similar to the one we have but not exactly. And yes that is the greenlee one in the picture

I picked up a smaller hydraulic unit from Harbor Freight. It only goes to #1/0 wire but it has 7 other smaller wire size chucks. I have to go check but I think it cost me less than $70.

[Sunking]

I picked up a smaller hydraulic unit from Harbor Freight. It only goes to #1/0 wire but it has 7 other smaller wire size chucks. I have to go check but I think it cost me less than $70.

Do the dies imprint UL codes on the terminals when compressed.