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Got a call from a client in Denver after their 'off-grid' power setup nearly burned down
It was about two years back. They had this cabin outside of town and wanted a full solar and battery system, but didn't want any permits or inspections. I told them it was a bad idea, but they found someone else who would do it under the table. Fast forward, I get a panicked call. They said there was a burning smell and the inverter was making a crazy buzzing sound. I drove out there, and the wiring from the battery bank to the charge controller was all wrong gauge, just jammed into terminals. It had melted part of the insulation. I shut the whole thing down and had to re-run about 50 feet of proper cable. The guy who did it had no clue about voltage drop or load calculations. It was pure luck they were home when it started to go. Anyone else had to fix a DIY disaster that could have been way worse?
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park.robin6mo ago
Oh man... that's scary but honestly, the real luck was that it just melted. Wrong gauge wire on a battery bank can arc and start a fire crazy fast. I see that a lot where people just match the amp rating on the device, but forget about the actual distance the power has to travel. That voltage drop makes the wire heat up like a toaster element.
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dakotas546mo ago
Saw a guy's extension cord smoking once, same deal.
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samwalker6mo ago
Yeah, that voltage drop thing is no joke. It's so easy to miss until something goes wrong. What were they trying to power, anyway?
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