Using RF coax cable as DC Solar PV cable

Xringer · 02-17-16, 06:16 PM

Those HF kits come with a 20 ft lead in wire and has chargers for 12V batteries.
If you buy two systems, you will be able to charge 2 batteries.

That coax cable sounds like it might be standard RG-6 and the amount of amps it can
carry is going to be limited to short runs.. There is a chart in the manual.
http://manuals.harborfreight.com/man...8999/68751.pdf

The center conductor is Wire Gauge (AWG) 18 and that's okay for low amperage.
But for higher currents, there will be heat losses. Longer cable runs = more losses.

Wire Resistance Calculator & Table

Use the calculator & input the cable length, set for AWG 18 and press Calculate.
Once you have the resistance in Ohms, and know the amperage,
you can find the heat loss in watts, using Amp squared x ohms..

How are you planning to use the output of the panels? Will you be charging two 12 volt batteries?

02-17-16, 06:16 PM	#30
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Those HF kits come with a 20 ft lead in wire and has chargers for 12V batteries. If you buy two systems, you will be able to charge 2 batteries. That coax cable sounds like it might be standard RG-6 and the amount of amps it can carry is going to be limited to short runs.. There is a chart in the manual. http://manuals.harborfreight.com/man...8999/68751.pdf The center conductor is Wire Gauge (AWG) 18 and that's okay for low amperage. But for higher currents, there will be heat losses. Longer cable runs = more losses. Wire Resistance Calculator & Table Use the calculator & input the cable length, set for AWG 18 and press Calculate. Once you have the resistance in Ohms, and know the amperage, you can find the heat loss in watts, using Amp squared x ohms.. How are you planning to use the output of the panels? Will you be charging two 12 volt batteries? __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..