Wire size

[Chrixed]

Hi all!
If my batteries have 430ah each and connected in series, which wire size should I use for the following connections:
1 - The wire to interconnect both batteries
2 - The wire to use between the batteries and the inverter
3 - The wire between the batteries and the fuse box?

Knowing that 4 AWG can carry 230amp do I need to go bigger?
Thanks!

[SunEagle]

The wire and fuse size is dependent on a few things.

What is your CC max output rating in amps?
What is your inverter max output rating in watts
What is the battery system voltage rating?

[Chrixed]

My CC max output is 40amp
Inverter I'm planing to add a 2000W
My batteries are 2x6v 430ah in series so 12v 430ah

[SunEagle]

With a 40amp CC your wire size between the charger and batteries should be rated for at least 40 amps. That is probably a #8 AWG copper or larger

With a 2000 watt inverter and a 12V battery system you can see 170 amps or more if the inverter has a peak rating above 2000watts. So the wire between your battery and inverter & between the two batteries should be at least a #2/0 copper or more.

I am not sure what your DC loads are but the peak load will determine the wire size between the 12V battery and the fuse box. But you can size the main fuse lower then what the wire can handle. The fuse will protect the wire.

Also I do not know where you got that a #4 AWG can handle 230amps. That is way too many amps for a #4 copper wire which I would say can handle about 80 to 90 amps max..

[Umpa]

I think he confused #4 AWG with #4/0 from a chart like this

http://www.aic-controls.com/wire-size

[Mike90250]

Need to know the expected amps and the length of the cables, low amps & long cables can cause an inverter shutdown from low voltage.

[Chrixed]

With a 40amp CC your wire size between the charger and batteries should be rated for at least 40 amps. That is probably a #8 AWG copper or larger

With a 2000 watt inverter and a 12V battery system you can see 170 amps or more if the inverter has a peak rating above 2000watts. So the wire between your battery and inverter & between the two batteries should be at least a #2/0 copper or more.

I am not sure what your DC loads are but the peak load will determine the wire size between the 12V battery and the fuse box. But you can size the main fuse lower then what the wire can handle. The fuse will protect the wire.

Also I do not know where you got that a #4 AWG can handle 230amps. That is way too many amps for a #4 copper wire which I would say can handle about 80 to 90 amps max..

Thanks SunEagle!
I'll go buy some 2/0 wire for the inverter connection and I have some pieces of 1/0 to connect batteries together.

Heres what I've already bought:
- #6 to connect the CC to the batteries
- #4 to connect fuse box to batteries (Running 12V fridge 48ah/day, 12v water pump 7.5amp, 12v ceiling fan 1.5amp and couple of LED 12v lights)
- 30ft of 10 AWG to connect my solar panels to the CC (2 panels 295W each in series, 40v, 9.70 Isc)

Does that sounds right ?
This is my upgraded cottage solar power setup.

[Chrixed]

Justrealized I did a mistake :-/. I bought an Epever 40amp CC which can handle 520W of panels on 12v batteries setup.
I have 590W total solar panels... Should I try it like that?

[SunEagle]

Justrealized I did a mistake :-/. I bought an Epever 40amp CC which can handle 520W of panels on 12v batteries setup.
I have 590W total solar panels... Should I try it like that?

The Charger spec should mention the absolute max input wattage. If your panel totals exceed that amount you might think about aiming a couple of them in a different direction so not all produce their total wattage amount at the same time

[Chrixed]

Well since it's two big panels plus the limited space where they will be installed I think I will return the CC and go for a bigger one...

[Umpa]

For me I figured that the panels won't produce their peek output, they are not at the optimal angle (basically what the shed roof is), and for me at least my panels are facing west - not the best as I understand.

So for me at the moment I have seen a max power of around 480W but usually a bit less. What I have found is that during cloudy weather (which being in England is mostly) I get between 200 - 300W for the biggest part of the day so having more panel has paid off for me. Remember my set up is a shed, and nothing but a hobby. YMMV and you won't go far wrong following the advice of the guys on here.

Edit for clarity :-
I have 600W of panel feeding a 40A epever tracer AN,

[Chrixed]

If I buy a 60amp which one is best under 400$?
I found the SR-ML 4860 SRNE 60Amps and the Renogy but not a lor of reviews on them