Stranded Cable to Hook Up Portable Solar

[noblets]

Sorry for replying here. I've only been a member for a year and I still can't figure out how to start a new thread.
Here's my question: Is there a reason not to use a stranded cable to hook up our portable solar panel?
We have a Lensun 100W portable panel, which has been very good; it is compact, folds up to fit in the 17A wardrobe, brings the battery up to 100% in a hurry, and best of all, it is light. We now have a 25', 10 ga. solid cable to connect the panel (yes, I did run into the polarity problem). On cold mornings, the solid wire cable can be difficult to deal with.
Appreciate input (and can someone remind me about posting new threads?). Thanks.

[cpaharley2008]

You did good.....

[thiggins]

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Extensi...xtension+cable


I have a couple I use.

[EdColorado]

Originally Posted by noblets

Sorry for replying here. I've only been a member for a year and I still can't figure out how to start a new thread.
Here's my question: Is there a reason not to use a stranded cable to hook up our portable solar panel?
We have a Lensun 100W portable panel, which has been very good; it is compact, folds up to fit in the 17A wardrobe, brings the battery up to 100% in a hurry, and best of all, it is light. We now have a 25', 10 ga. solid cable to connect the panel (yes, I did run into the polarity problem). On cold mornings, the solid wire cable can be difficult to deal with.
Appreciate input (and can someone remind me about posting new threads?). Thanks.

I used #10 stranded copper with MC4 connectors to build my solar ‘extension ‘ cord.
Easy to coil up. Cheap to build.

Ed

[sclifrickson]

I use my factory supplied, detachable 30A shore power cable, mated to appropriate fittings at the solar panel and trailer ends. This way I only have to carry one cable, usable for either shore or solar power.

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by noblets

... On cold mornings, the solid wire cable can be difficult to deal with.

Solid wire is stiff - and a royal pain in the cold, as you found out.

The other extreme is this (parallel, flexible, and, brace yourself, very expensive).
https://bulkwire.com/red-black-bonded-zip-cord
But so nice to work with...
And since it is only money (someone else's money to be precise) go up to the next level, 8ga for less voltage loss.
--
Alan

[padlin]

My brother gave me some solid 10 awg to use for the portable, replaced it with stranded before the 1st trip.

[noblets]

I ordered 25' of the 10 ga. from Bulkwire. Thanks

[fudge_brownie]

I have found speaker wire from a company called KnuKonceptz as the best solution. A true 10 gauge stranded wire it uses oxygen free copper. I use a 50 ft length from Amazon. Very easy to handle and after contacting the company was reassured it is fine on the ground as long as you do not drive over it.

[Vermilye]

Another source for fairly flexible #10 "Zip Cord" is landscaping cable available at some big box stores. Not as flexible as the stuff in the previous link, but less expensive, and flexible enough. A very tough finish that is UV safe. It seems to be more available by the foot in Lowes & Home Depots in the West; #12 seems to be the largest I've found in the East, although full rolls can be ordered...

[Tin]

I recently made a new portable solar extension cord 10 ga. 50' long. Comes in handy when your deep in the woods.
Tin.

[noblets]

Thanks for all the replies. I am amazed at how handy we have all gotten in applying ends to various wires, e.g., telephone, TV coax, ethernet. Anyone else remember when the phone company wouldn't let you touch their wires?

[cpaharley2008]

and charged you for each extension phone you had.....

[noblets]

and wanted the ringer tone equivalent

[cpaharley2008]

oh, no ringer, if it rang then MABell knew from the voltage drop there was more than one phone on the line, you had to disconnect the ringer to operate as a stealth extension.

[AnnHay]

One more vote here. 8 gauge, silicone insulation, stranded copper wire ... exceptionally flexible and more efficient than 10 gauge especially if you're running more than 40 feet in each direction.

[padlin]

Any downside to using a 50' 10 awg power extension cord, with 15A/120 vac plug to SAE adapters? You'd end up with a dual purpose power cord.

I suppose 50' would somewhat of a voltage loss at 10 awg, maybe a 25'er.

[EdColorado]

Originally Posted by padlin

Any downside to using a 50' 10 awg power extension cord, with 15A/120 vac plug to SAE adapters? You'd end up with a dual purpose power cord.

I suppose 50' would somewhat of a voltage loss at 10 awg, maybe a 25'er.

Thinking the same thing. Two 25’ extension cords equal one 50’ should 50’ be necessary.

[wdr2]

I use this wire for our portable solar system, 10 AWG, about $1/ft. Nice and flexible, easy to put on connectors.

https://www.newark.com/stellar-labs/...vc/dp/44AC9232

also available here:

https://powerwerx.com/red-black-bonded-zip-cord

[Vermilye]

For those that camp in cold weather, PVC insulation (the insulation in the two links above) is far less flexible in cold weather than the silicon insulation described in the previous posts. I mentioned landscaping cable. This is also PVC, and I don't recommend it for cold weather camping.

The problem with silicon insulation is I have not found any "Zip" cord #10 silicon (with the two wires attached to each other). Amazon lists it, but it is individual strands, more difficult to keep from becoming a rat's nest. If you find silicon zip cord, please post a link.