Sol-Ark 15k Install Tips: Working with 4/0 Wire

[@Adirondacks4me]

Having the right tools is the key, I used the Polaris connectors to splice my main feed outside into my main panel. I have to maintain my own pole to pole feed line down to the meter about 400 yards away. I live in the woods. Nice video...

[@GainSolarPower]

Thanks for watching. Yep 90% of the job is about having the right tool

[@contentment164]

Important to never bend that aluminum wire beyond its ductile capability. I handled many fire claims started by bent aluminum branch wiring and bad connections. So glad it is no longer allowed for branch circuitry. Thanks Johnny.

[@Mike-01234]

Aluminum wire should be banned I can't believe it's still being used for anything in 2021. People have been killed in homes because of this wire.

[@niktak1114]

I had to manhandle some ancient existing 4/0 Al SER during my 15k install. Took me about 45 minutes just to disconnect it from a breaker box and pull it out of the bottom lol. I used 2/0 copper THHN for all the new wire between the breaker box and Sol-Ark.

[@dahur]

From an installer's perspective, can a 15k Sol-Ark handle a whole house backup..? I just watched a video where the home owner said they wish they had gotten the 15k instead of the 12k, as it didn't have the muscle for their whole house. He said 3k of the capacity went to charge the batteries, then you had 4.5 kw leftover for 120 circuits. Plus the software update screwed things up so bad they had to have Sol-Ark install the previous version to fix things.

[@GainSolarPower]

It depends on the house but a 15k does a lot better than a 12k whole house.

[@JerHAMM]

Do they have electric or gas appliances? Just test your normal load or look at your electric bill Most likely will be MORE than enough inverter if you gas appliances The battery backup(expensive part) May have to be more.. around that 30kw markmark

[@JerHAMM]

Look into eg4 18kpv btw

[@samfish6938]

i would use copper also you need Noalox Anti-Oxidant Compound on wire

[@urbfree1297]

Hello................ I need mounting rails for Aionrise Panels. Where are you located?

[@mikejf4377]

If you could afford copper what gage copper could you do the same thing? Curious question?

[@lifeinmexico189]

2/0 and I would choose 2/0 copper over aluminum every time

[@Sight-Beyond-Sight]

I believe it is always the next gauge thinner. To be fair though, don't cheap out on those long runs. Use the big boy copper and avoid the voltage drops. You spend a crap-ton of money on the control system and panels, why would you cheap out on the connections?

[@nwmi493]

that m12 milwaukee cable cutter is the balzzzzzzz. speaking from marine electrician industry.

[@GainSolarPower]

It looks like a good one. I don’t cut a ton of cable but I might have to spring for it

[@geraldspikes8737]

Is there a way to connect the Sol Ark 15k to power the whole house using a “All In One” (combination meter/breaker) service panel?

[@MyGoogleYoutube]

Bump.... I think GA Power wants a fusible and lockable disconnect outside of the home. Could you just install this after the meter / breaker combo?

[@awbean5254]

JOHNNY, WHAT SIZE BYE PASS CIRCUIT BREAKER IS NEEDED FOR SOL-ARK 15k, WITH 100 AMP GRID POWER?

[@GainSolarPower]

If the grid is 100amps then use a 100 a breaker to feed the solark. Perfectly fine. It can pass thru 200a but it does fine on 100

[@zenjamin6262]

Johny if you run a 2" you conduit

[@andys5203]

Hello Johnny, what's your taught on used 390 watt G9 Q cells . I am getting panels for $125 each

[@GainSolarPower]

Sounds like a deal? used panels are risky as they can have micro cracking. Are these 72/144 cell panels

[@andys5203]

@Gain Solar Services its Hanwah Q cells 6x22 half cell mono. It was installed a year ago and was removed to replace the roof . The owner has decided not to install it. I am sure when I test the voc it should be fine, but as you mention the cracks might be an issue if there is any visible.

[@GainSolarPower]

@@andys5203 unfortunately you cannot easily detect micro cracking. It happens due to rough handling

[@SolarTechFL]

I just finished a twin 15k with 3 fortress evault maxes

[@GainSolarPower]

That’s a powerful setup

[@MaxGoddur]

Why are you using aluminum wire?

[@GainSolarPower]

It’s cheaper than copper, easier to work with, and is very common in residential. Millions of homes with aluminum feeders in the US. We don’t use it for small wires or corrosive environments but it’s fine for a service.

[@ursodermatt8809]

aluminium wire? wasn't that stuff used after WW2 because of copper shortage? USA must be the only country that still uses that. weird at best.

[@sundancer442]

CCA; copper clad aluminium is popular at the moment due to high copper prices. If you oversize your cable, it's good value.

[@trebombs4life]

yes and no. aluminum wire for little gauge wire is gone cause its way to fragile its not unusual to use aluminum wire. sometimes the engineers spec it that way cause it saves lots of money on the bigger conductors for distribution. i like it cause its way lighter and easier to bend. and when you bend it it stays where you left it. it saves time on labor and material cost. also all the power company wires you see on the poles are bare aluminum conductors

[@ursodermatt8809]

@@trebombs4life like i said aluminium wire for electrical purposes is totally unknown in the rest of the civilized world.

[@randacnam7321]

@@ursodermatt8809 We use it for the big stuff. NEC forbids it for under 6AWG wire cuz aluminum wire fire problems in the 1970s. It is also common in utility systems as aluminum is 30% the density of copper and thus you get a wire that is half the weight for a given conductivity even after accounting for aluminum having only 62% the conductivity of copper.

[@GainSolarPower]

It’s everywhere here. I have maybe seen two houses in my area that have copper feeders, everything else is aluminum. Now all the individual circuits running through the house are copper but all the big wire feeding houses is aluminum

[@BritishAnts]

Never trust a man who hides his eyes! 😂 sunglasses to camera are not a good look! Nice fat cables tho! ❤

[@Lucas-rh8sw]

*Promosm*

[@tomkomadina7390]

Why are you using aluminum wire? I wouldn't hire you for that reason alone.

[@GainSolarPower]

It’s the standard out here. From a mobile home to a million dollar house and practically the entire power grid. But it sounds like you wouldn’t need to hire me since you know everything already……

[@tomkomadina7390]

@@GainSolarPower I don't know everything but I do know that aluminum wiring in a residential home is a bad idea for reasons of oxidation and resultant overheating and fire risk. Richard below summarizes the problem eloquently. If aluminum wiring is "standard" for residences where you live you need to examine your and other electrician's practices.

[@GainSolarPower]

@@tomkomadina7390 are you an electrician sir? I’m landing aluminum in aluminum lugs and torquing to spec. I wouldn’t use aluminum in a corrosive or wet location but you should research it more. The alloys they are using now are pretty much perfected. Aluminum wiring was problematic back way before I was doing electrical work but it is now a standard in the southeast. Most of my work involves retrofits and I routinely work in 20 and 30 year old installations and the aluminum shows zero corrosion. So if it is rated for what it is doing what is the problem. Copper is not easier to install FYI.

[@GainSolarPower]

But you are welcome to use copper

[@tomkomadina7390]

@@GainSolarPower We signed a contract for a new solar installation 3 weeks ago, it's in permitting right now. Should be installed in the next couple of weeks. The civil engineer that did the CAD drawings specified that all copper wiring be used. I couldn't agree more. The only reason aluminum wiring is used is that as you mentioned it is easier to bend and less expensive. Certainly not better than copper. Aluminum oxidizes and may not show "corrosion" but still it increases wire resistance and potential for overheating. You should again read richard's response to you below. I don't want easier to install or cheaper, I want better and safer. Obviously that is not a concern of yours.

[@jasondavis7885]

Lost me at Aluminum

[@GainSolarPower]

You must not do much electrical work..

[@jasondavis7885]

@@GainSolarPower 100% commercial and industrial work. But my friend wants help with his stand alone system so I have been checking out the Solark.

[@williamschuman4951]

I would never use aluminum, period