Solar Wiring : Series vs Parallel

[2TheStreet]

I'm not an expert on any of this! But, what I do know is that any wire you use on your roof MUST be listed as UV resistant and the listing you posted did not include the words "UV resistant". That would concern me.

I also disagree that boats and RVs are apples and oranges. They share numerous similarities and when it comes to wiring they share vibration which makes them very similiar. Houses, and house wiring have virtually zero vibration so wiring that works in them may not work in a boat or a van.

Bottom line is I might use it inside the van, but I would not use it on the roof. I'd spend the extra money and get the words UV resistant.
Bob

Well a boat has to deal with a tremendous amount more movement than any vehicle on the road. A boat is in an environment with constant waves and the boat radically moving up and down and side to side, a van just has vibration from driving but not enough movement to be a concern. Apples to oranges, imo. 

As far as UV resistant, I did get the white jacket wire and light reflects off of white so it's possible that could be less of a concern. I know people who've used white THHN wire outdoors for years without any issues so I seriously doubt UV would pose a concern, However, like I said, if I incur any issues you all will be the first to know. It's really not a big deal because I can easily switch to a better type of wire anytime if I need to but I believe this THHN will do just fine.

 

[amwbox]

Well a boat has to deal with a tremendous amount more movement than any vehicle on the road. A boat is in an environment with constant waves and the boat radically moving up and down and side to side, a van just has vibration from driving but not enough movement to be a concern. Apples to oranges, imo. 

...no. Vibration is far more taxing on materials than the slow pitch and roll of a boat. The vibration you get from going down the road is high frequency at a far higher magnitude. A boat on the other hand is literally floating on one of the very best shock absorbers, and the movements are gradual and low impact. Something gently rocking back and forth would require years to pick up the cumulative mechanical stress loading of a single freeway trip.

As far as UV resistant, I did get the white jacket wire and light reflects off of white so it's possible that could be less of a concern. I know people who've used white THHN wire outdoors for years without any issues so I seriously doubt UV would pose a concern, However, like I said, if I incur any issues you all will be the first to know. It's really not a big deal because I can easily switch to a better type of wire anytime if I need to but I believe this THHN will do just fine.

White represents the visible spectrum of light. It has nothing whatsoever to do with UV radiation. THHN wire is insulated with nylon (Thermoplastic High Heat-resistant Nylon). Nylon is NOT UV resistant unless intentionally modified by adding UV resistant material...which is not the case with THHN, unless its been labelled as such.

Just saying. Its well known that unprotected nylon will degrade in the sun. It will discolor and become brittle.

Also, bear in mind that nylon is hygroscopic...meaning it attracts and absorbs water. It actually swells at it takes on moisture. Which is another really good reason why this stuff is intended to be safely inside of walls.

 

[highdesertranger]

2thestreet wrote, "Well a boat has to deal with a tremendous amount more movement than any vehicle on the road." well all I have to say about that statement is, it's obvious someone hasn't driven on washboard roads. the will vibrate your fillings right out of your teeth. washboard roads are improved dirt and gravel roads. not your heavy duty off road dirt tracks, but your graded roads found in national forest, blm land and county roads. so you are not planning on driving any of these roads? also what was posted about the uv rating is true. did you know that the light colored(natural) tiewraps are not uv rated, the uv rated tiewraps are black. so color really has nothing to do with it. highdesertranger

 

[2TheStreet]

I think I will spray white plasti dip over the wires just to be safe, plasti does provide uv protection from what I gathered on their website.

 

[highdesertranger]

aaagh, why don't you just get the correct wire. highdesertranger

 

[2TheStreet]

because I like the stiffer wire on the roof, stays in place (remember I'm not using a roof rack) and I like using 8 awg which cannot be used with MC4 connectors because the wire jacket is too thick. I did not drill holes in the roof so I had to use a longer wire to the battery, that's where the 8 awg helps out with reducing some power loss. It's all good, today I plasti dipped all the exposed wiring and my mc4 connectors and branch connectors so now everything is white and blends in with the roof for a more stealth look. Also, wire is protected from UV thanks to the past dip,

 

[SternWake]

How well does that plastidip bond to a flexible material like wire? I've been considering its use on some other projects.

I held my MC 3 cable to the roof with blobs of 3m 5200 every few inches.

I need to look inside my MC3 connectors and get some Caig Deoxit d5 spray in there to clean them out, and some 'shield' to protect and enhance conductivity.

I guess the white color of plastidip can also keep the wire cooler and also slightly reduce resistance.

 

[2TheStreet]

How well does that plastidip bond to a flexible material like wire?  I've been considering its use on some other projects.

I held my MC 3 cable to the roof with  blobs of 3m 5200 every few inches.

I need to look inside my MC3 connectors and get some Caig Deoxit d5 spray in there to clean them out, and some 'shield' to protect and enhance conductivity.

I guess the white color of plastidip can also keep the wire cooler and also slightly reduce resistance.

The THWN wire has a nylon exterior jacket and the plasti dip adheres fine. I used power grip pedal tape underneath my connectors and branch connectors, works well.