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

[Sunking]

DRLO, sometimes known as a megger. That's what the UL guys use for checking before certification.

No sir, not the same thing. Meggar Trademark name is a high voltage ohm meter to test insulation resistance by applying a stressful high voltage to try to breakdown the insulation resistance to check for leaks. Makes for a quick day of fishing.

In addition a Meggar when used as a 3-point Dead Fall Potential is used to measure th eimpedance of earth electrode systems.

DRLO is low voltage high current. It uses a high current then measures the voltage developed. In other words a current source.

[FloridaSun]

One manufacturer of Digital Low Resistance Ohmmeters (DLRO) is BiddleMegger.com, but the generic term "megger" refers to a megohm meter, used for insulation testing at high voltages and very low leakage. That is definitely not what you want for this. And I am not really sure why UL would use a DLRO.

A DLRO will be a four terminal device which uses one set of terminals to supply the test current pulse and a separate set of terminals (similar to the way a CC or a shunt have separate voltage sense terminals) to measure the resulting voltage. When using a conventional ohmmeter, a large problem is canceling out the (variable) resistance of the meter leads and contacts.

I may be getting my terminology mixed as it's been almost ten years but when UL came out to field certify my lighting products they would check for internal resistance and high voltage shorts.
The only megger I have is an old coast guard surplus, hand crank from the 50s. I can't get over 150 volts out of it. They (UL) were using a Fluke that they called a megger, putting out 600volt to test I think. The DLRO does sound different.

[inetdog]

DRLO, sometimes known as a megger. That's what the UL guys use for checking before certification.

One manufacturer of Digital Low Resistance Ohmmeters (DLRO) is BiddleMegger.com, but the generic term "megger" refers to a megohm meter, used for insulation testing at high voltages and very low leakage. That is definitely not what you want for this. And I am not really sure why UL would use a DLRO.

A DLRO will be a four terminal device which uses one set of terminals to supply the test current pulse and a separate set of terminals (similar to the way a CC or a shunt have separate voltage sense terminals) to measure the resulting voltage. When using a conventional ohmmeter, a large problem is canceling out the (variable) resistance of the meter leads and contacts.

[FloridaSun]

I will have to check my Extech meter when I get back from traveling

DRLO, sometimes known as a megger. That's what the UL guys use for checking before certification.

[Sunking]

I will have to check my Extech meter when I get back from traveling but I believe it is accurate to 3 decimal places.

You do not understand, your meter is not capable of measuring anything less than 1 Ohm. It takes a very expensive meter called a Digital Low Resistance Ohm (DRLO) meter. It is a 4-point Bridge device that pumps either 1 or 10 amps through the UUT, (1-amp for milli-ohms, 10 amps for micro-ohms) then reads out the voltage drop. Your meter only uses a few microamps to measure resistance.

[PowerSupplyGuy]

measure low ohms like this

Most people don't have a low ohms meter or a bridge. An alternate way to get a fairly accurate measurement would be to put an amp or so through the wire and use the mv scale on the voltmeter to measure the resistance. Some bench power supplies have a current adjustment. Use that to set an amp of current in the wire and there ya go. If you use the same meter to set the current and measure the voltage then you will be reasonable accurate. If you don't have current limited supply then us a 100w light bulb on a 120v line for a current source.

[SunEagle]

Without a DLRO you will not be able to measure anything less than an ohm of any accuracy.

I will have to check my Extech meter when I get back from traveling but I believe it is accurate to 3 decimal places. I did not record the resistance readings but I do not remember any significant increase once I added the lugs.

I am also not really worried about the resistance that much since I have over sized these cables to # 1/0 which are good for 200amps and they will be seeing a max of less than 100amp instantaneous load.

[Sunking]

I didn't notice any UL codes. I understand your caution. I wouldn't use this for a grid tie system only my small portable off grid one.

I did a resistance check on all of my cables before and after I used the crimping tool. Longest cable was 18". I did not see any difference with or without the crimped lugs.

Without a DLRO you will not be able to measure anything less than an ohm of any accuracy.

[SunEagle]

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

I didn't notice any UL codes. I understand your caution. I wouldn't use this for a grid tie system only my small portable off grid one.

I did a resistance check on all of my cables before and after I used the crimping tool. Longest cable was 18". I did not see any difference with or without the crimped lugs.

[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.

[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.

[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

[Sunking]

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

That looks like the Greenlee version right?

[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

[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.