[RE-wrenches] Battery interconnect cable length

[penobscotsolar at midmaine.com]

Hi Ben,
   We've done a lot of this type of system using Surrette KS series batts.
I haven't ever asked the question you did, but experience told me that
differing battery lengths are more important than some give credit for.
I  actually  use slightly longer (16" cables) and , in cases where we
run two rows of twelve cells (typical) we can use a 16" cable to span
the front row to back by using a right angle lug on either end of that
cable. It works, as we have many (over 200) battery based systems out
there, from Maine to Antigua), some for as many as 16 years, still
operating well. Of course, this also depends on the customers ability
to adequately equalize, water, keep terminals clean, etc. etc......just
one mans experience.....

Daryl DeJoy
NABCEP Certified PV installer
Penobscot Solar Design




> Since batteries seem to be a hot topic lately, I've got a question...
> ...in a single 48V string, (24 x 2V) if each interconnect cable  is
> 14"-4/0awg and one cable in the middle of the string must be longer (btwn
> 20"-24" total length)...
> How detrimental will that be to the overall efficiency?
>
> Should it be OK or should the awg size for the longer cable be larger?
> What other factors should I consider?
>
> Thanks,
> benn
> Sent from a 'smart' phone, with tiny keys. Please excuse shortcuts and
> typos.
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