The alternative to big wires is to operate at high voltage DC. Hook the
batteries up in series/parallel. The you can use small wire.
If you use photocell panels, wire them for high voltage too.
If you charge your batteries off the grid, you have high voltage, and you
just need a modern inverter with a built in battery charger designed for
higher voltages.
Look in Home Power magazine for some good adds.
Fuse and ground everything. Just like the AC power grid will kill you if
you are not careful, so will DC.
Regards,
Gary
P. S. Although the highest efficiency was never my first goal, one could
get yet another boost there by using a switcher. Yes....I know they make
noise. Filter it.
----- Original Message -----
From: <k9zw@mac.com>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 10:39 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] emergency back up power
>
> What are the best current sources for PV gear that might suit an
> amateur setup?
>
> With the current high copper price levels are there any alternatives
> to wiring with massive cables?
>
> 73
>
> Steve
> K9ZW
>
>
> On Mar 5, 2007, at 9:34 PM, Gary Hoffman wrote:
>
> > PV panels are expensive, but a good investment for sure.
> >
> > Yes, you need big wires for sure. As you probably know, solar PV
> > systems
> > now operate at up to 170 volts DC or so just to avoid those losses.
>
> _______________________________________________
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> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
>
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