Need some Help With Solar

[jwh92020]

I'm building a "work/sleep" CT for a guy and he just hit me with 'let's put solar on it". He bought a 2 - 250 watt panel kit from San Tan Solar. Kit includes 2 - 250 watt panels, 50 amp MPPT Controller, 10 gauge wires from panel to controller and enough 10 gauge to run from controller to batteries (I'm thinking change that to 8 gauge) and a 60 amp circuit breaker. He is connecting to an AIMS 1000/2000 watt inverter/charger with an auto transfer switch. What size fuses/beakers are needed? I have limited experience with solar, so I could use some advice The panel mounting and wire running is not an issue for me, but sizing things is. He was "advised" by someone to use 4 gauge wire from battery to battery and battery to inverter. Each run is under 18". He'll be running a dorm frig, lights and charging phone & tablets. From what I've read, I think we need a 60 amp breaker between the panels and controller, 60 amp fuse/breaker between controller & batteries and 175 amp breaker or 200 amp fuse between batteries & inverter. any help will be appreciated. Thanks

[bdosborn]

Inverter Wiring:
2000W/12V=166 Amps. I would use 175A fuse between the inverter and the battery with 2/0 AWG wire. That should keep the voltage drop at 3% as long as the wire is less than 10' long.

PV Wiring:
Assuming the PV panels are in parallel, 500Watts/13.5V=37A. Multiply by 1.56 per NEC to accommodate certain reflective conditions and you end up with 58Amps. A #10 PV wire is 55 amps, which is close enough, assuming you stay under a 15' run. I would use a 60A fuse at the PV controller.

So you were pretty close...

Bruce

I've been using these guys for my inverter cables, they're stuff is top notch.
2/0 cables

[jwh92020]

bdosborn - Thank you. If it ever warms up, we'll get after it.