Cable sizes for 24v-3kva inverter

D

djmoase

Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Messages
26
Reaction score
2
Location
Ermelo
I have a hybrid solar inverter 24v 3kva and 2 x 200ah gel batteries that I bought on takealot.com

I need to buy cables for this setup. Please help me with the sizes. My local dealer does not understand the specifications that is written on the manual. See attached photos.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200526_144634.jpg
    IMG_20200526_144634.jpg
    4.6 MB · Views: 85
  • IMG_20200526_144531.jpg
    IMG_20200526_144531.jpg
    4 MB · Views: 83
AWG is an American standard. Simply convert x AWG to mm2. When buying cables for the battery, tell them specifically it is for DC, as those are finely stranded (looks like welding cable)
 
The DC cable should be 14mm2 according to that table, the AC cable should be 3.3mm2, which is what you get when you convert AWG to mm2.

Your local dealer is very clueless if he doesn't understand that, I would be very careful of asking him for any advice in future. As gertvanjoe said, the DC cable should be specific, don't use an AC cable for that. If local dealers are giving you a tough time just order online, all sizes are there for you to choose the right one for you.
 
ost said:
Check your local car audio places. They sell per meter.

You will need to go for a larger gauge for longer runs. The lower the number, the higher the gauge.

I would go for at least 8gauge....12 gauge is usually for speakers

www.autostyle.co.za

JBL Stage AK-82CA 8gauge Orange Car Audio Wiring Kit - Autostyle Motorsport Online

JBL Stage AK-82CA 8gauge Orange Car Audio Wiring Kit - Autostyle Motorsport Online %
www.autostyle.co.za www.autostyle.co.za
Click to expand...
There are dedicated solar shops that specialize in this stuff, not saying the audio power cable won't work but it's just better to go to the right place for the right stuff.

OP, don't forget fuses and an isolator.
 
thechamp said:
The DC cable should be 14mm2 according to that table, the AC cable should be 3.3mm2, which is what you get when you convert AWG to mm2.

Your local dealer is very clueless if he doesn't understand that, I would be very careful of asking him for any advice in future.
Click to expand...

I'm struggling to understand how you came up with that. The manual says the ring connector should be 14mm^2 to cater for 2x 8AWG cables - isn't 8AWG 10mm^2? The AC should thus be 4mm^2 too?
 
quovadis said:
I'm struggling to understand how you came up with that. The manual says the ring connector should be 14mm^2 to cater for 2x 8AWG cables - isn't 8AWG 10mm^2? The AC should thus be 4mm^2 too?
Click to expand...

I just put the AWG values into a conversion table and got what I got, I am also clueless when it comes to those American sizes, maybe you know better, but here, 12AWG converts to 3.3mm2, he'll obviously pick the next closest size to that. For DC I just went with what's written in the manual and they say it should be 14mm2.
IMG_20200526_144634.jpg
 
thechamp said:
I just put the AWG values into a conversion table and got what I got, I am also clueless when it comes to those American sizes, maybe you know better, but here, 12AWG converts to 3.3mm2, he'll obviously pick the next closest size to that. For DC I just went with what's written in the manual and they say it should be 14mm2.
Click to expand...

But you're misreading the DC size? The ring terminal cable size is not the wire size?!

Edit:

I would interpret it as meaning that you use:

1x 4AWG (21.2mm^2 using the calculator) with a ring connector of 22mm^2
or
2x 8AWG (8.4mm^2 using the calculator) with a ring connector of 14mm^2

Depending on your battery configuration.
 
Last edited:
quovadis said:
But you're misreading the DC size? The ring terminal cable size is not the wire size?!
Click to expand...
Oh,? Okay, I just thought they have already recommended it in mm2 size, he'll just convert the AWG as he did on the AC cable to get the right mm2 size for DC.
 
thechamp said:
Oh,? Okay, I just thought they have already recommended it in mm2 size, he'll just convert the AWG as he did on the AC cable to get the right mm2 size for DC.
Click to expand...

The 2nd page - the 14mm2 you refer to is listed under the column related to the ring terminal connector and not the battery cable itself.
 
Simple
AC cable = 12AWG = 3.31mm². So get the next biggest size that the store has.
DC cable = 2x8AWG OR 1x4AWG = 2x8.37mm² (option 1) OR 1x21.2mm² (option 2). Again, get the next biggest size that the store has
DC ring terminal option 1 = 14mm², option 2 = 22mm²
 
Archer said:
Simple
AC cable = 12AWG = 3.31mm². So get the next biggest size that the store has.
DC cable = 2x8AWG OR 1x4AWG = 2x8.37mm² (option 1) OR 1x21.2mm² (option 2). Again, get the next biggest size that the store has
DC ring terminal option 1 = 14mm², option 2 = 22mm²
Click to expand...

Ok so 2 people in agreement.
 
One more thing guys do I need to put a change over switch in this system (hybrid inverter and batteries only)?
 
djmoase said:
One more thing guys do I need to put a change over switch in this system (hybrid inverter and batteries only)?
Click to expand...
If you are integrating it into the house wiring you should put one, to override the system back to utility if there is something wrong with the inverter. If not then it's entirely optional, but I would put it anyway.
 
thechamp said:
If you are integrating it into the house wiring you should put one, to override the system back to utility if there is something wrong with the inverter. If not then it's entirely optional, but I would put it anyway.
Click to expand...
Thank you.
 
on the ac side at least, just put in enough for the 5kva in case you ever want to upgrade, the price difference wont kill you
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter