I have a portable 200 watt solar cell setup I will be using with my rig. At some point I may go with a permanent install but for now I will just hook up the panels when I go boon docking. I need to buy some flexible wire to connect them to the controller when in use. I'm trying to find a larger gauge (6-10 gauge) zip wire instead of two separate cables for convenience but I'm not having much luck finding anything. I have found larger gauge extension cords but they would include a third conductor for ground.
Has anyone come across a source for such a cable?
Steve,
I've used Powerwerx (https://powerwerx.com/) for connectors and zip-cord.
Red/Black Bonded Zip Cord Easy ID Low Voltage Cable | Powerwerx (http://powerwerx.com/red-black-bonded-zip-cord)
Charles
Landscaping lighting wire, or Malibu wire, is what you want. It's available in as thick as 8/2.
Home Depot and other hardware stores will have or carry it up to 10/2.
10/2
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-250-ft-10-2-Black-Stranded-CU-Low-Voltage-Landscape-Lighting-Wire-55213501/204210683
8/2 wire
Amazon.com : Paige Electric 8-2 Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Wire - 100FT... (https://www.amazon.com/8-2-Voltage-Landscape-Lighting-Wire/dp/B00B8C7O1W)
When running new 12-volt circuits, landscaping lighting wire is my favorite, it has a very tough outer coating, designed to be buried.
Larry
Great options, thanks to both of you!
Steve
Landscape wire will work in this application, but it's designed to be buried and left in place--not laid out in the sun and moved around. I prefer marine-rated jacketed two-conductor wire (https://www.fisheriessupply.com/ancor-safety-tinned-duplex-boat-cable-flat). The outer jacket provides abrasion and UV protection that you don't get with zip wire. The cable is somewhat stiffer than zip wire of comparable gauge, but I haven't found that to be a problem.
Andy, great tip (as usual). I searched for other sources and found that West Marine carries some of the gauges and sells it by the foot online ANCOR Flat Safety Duplex Cable by the Foot | West Marine (http://www.westmarine.com/buy/ancor--flat-safety-duplex-cable-by-the-foot--P009_274_003_003) .
Charles
Landscape wire will work in this application, but it's designed to be buried and left in place--not laid out in the sun and moved around. I prefer marine-rated jacketed two-conductor wire (https://www.fisheriessupply.com/ancor-safety-tinned-duplex-boat-cable-flat). The outer jacket provides abrasion and UV protection that you don't get with zip wire.
High-quality landscape wiring is designed for both direct burial and above-ground use, also being UV resistant.
Our house was wired for low-voltage lighting over twenty years ago and the above-ground wiring is still in good shape, if it last that long in our hot climate, occasional use with solar panels should be fine.
12/2 250 ft Direct Burial Cable for Landscape Lighting | VOLT® Lighting (https://www.voltlighting.com/low-voltage-outdoor-lighting-cable-12-2-250/p/VAC-CAB-12-250)
Either type of wire is going to work with portable solar panels, with similar results.
For 200-watts of panel, use the 10/2 wire for the lowest voltage drop.
Larry