Proper Gauge 100ft run

[knicks1met]

I have an eco flow delta pro and need to run the xt60 cable to the panel which is 100ft away. I see 10 gauge in 100ft length for sale for about $150 but is 10 Gauge sufficient or do I need a lower gauge for this length.

 

[42OhmsPA]

It depends...
I'd plug some numbers into a voltage drop calculator and see what you come up with, I like this one, there are many others.
Ideally you want to be under 3%.
I suspect 10AWG will be pushing it with the lower VOC rating of the eco. Over 3% can be ok, you'll have greater losses.

 

[Ampster]

........is 10 Gauge sufficient or do I need a lower gauge for this length.

How many Amps and what voltage does your panel(s) put out. If you are anywhere near minimum voltage for the inverter you may need to calculate voltage drop over that distance using the voltage drop calculator posted earlier. The wire should be sized to carry the current at minimum and if voltage drops close to minimum then increase wire size to reduce voltage drop. Voltage drop is not critical if it exceeds minimum by a good margin.

 

[42OhmsPA]

Ampster, that's a great point I didn't even think off.

 

[sunsurfer]

I have some panel strings that are really pushing limits. I'm around 7.5% loss which is acceptable for me since its only 30w on these low power 400w strings.

120 feet
60v DC
14 gauge wire
6.75 amps

7.5% loss

 

[knicks1met]

At this point I can only find 100ft at 10 gauge but trying to find 8 gauge at 100ft. Anyone have a good website to buy from?

 

[sunsurfer]

At this point I can only find 100ft at 10 gauge but trying to find 8 gauge at 100ft. Anyone have a good website to buy from?

I just buy 10 gauge THHN wire in the 500' rolls from homedepot for my higher amp panel strings. 14 gauge for the lower ones. My conduit of choice is 1/2 irrigation distribution tubing in the 500' rolls. Seal the end with silicone. By some MC4s off Amazon and keep your fingers crossed.

Then again, I run low voltage/power strings and they are not as needy for special treatment. Not the best setup for a 600v string if you know what I mean. Someone might die.

 

[timselectric]

As soon as you get above 50v, someone could die.
Voltage hurts, but it's the current that kills.

 

[Ampster]

At this point I can only find 100ft at 10 gauge but trying to find 8 gauge at 100ft. Anyone have a good website to buy from?

What kind of current and voltage are you seeing at the panels? Buying 8 guage is a waste of money if your panels are not putting out more than 30 Amps and your voltage is safely above the minimum for your charge controller.

 

[sunsurfer]

As soon as you get above 50v, someone could die.
Voltage hurts, but it's the current that kills.

Oh please don't open that can of worms.....

 

[Supervstech]

Oh please don't open that can of worms.....

Too late...

Current only kills if it flows, and voltage is needed to push past resistance to make current.

Zzzzzzz