harrisonpatm
Member
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2022
- Messages
- 392
It feels weird as the new guy to be offering advice and suggestions, but: is anyone else using scrapyards for their powerwall builds? I'm finding that people on the forum are frequently discussing copper wire, where to get it, what size to use. Mainly that while thicker gauge for busbars and wire runs is better, its more expensive.
I know everyone's situation is different, as well as scrapyard availability, but I was able to get 150-200ft of 10awg for wire runs from panel to house for 20 bucks. When i start making individual pack busbars, there's giant pallets full of scrap copper cutoffs to choose from, all priced by weight. Flat bars, thin sheets, twisted bare wire of whatever gauge you want... My whole thing is getting as much for free and cheap as possible (while still being safe), so this is a huge help. I'll be able to find gauges way larger than any amps I'm planning on running, for like 1/5th the price of new product. Sure, it won't be the perfect size or shape, and you may have to spend some time digging around and untangling loose wire, but I don't mind. Anyone else want to share their scrapyard scores?
(as I finish typing I realize that this goes right along with the secondlifestorage theme anyway)
I know everyone's situation is different, as well as scrapyard availability, but I was able to get 150-200ft of 10awg for wire runs from panel to house for 20 bucks. When i start making individual pack busbars, there's giant pallets full of scrap copper cutoffs to choose from, all priced by weight. Flat bars, thin sheets, twisted bare wire of whatever gauge you want... My whole thing is getting as much for free and cheap as possible (while still being safe), so this is a huge help. I'll be able to find gauges way larger than any amps I'm planning on running, for like 1/5th the price of new product. Sure, it won't be the perfect size or shape, and you may have to spend some time digging around and untangling loose wire, but I don't mind. Anyone else want to share their scrapyard scores?
(as I finish typing I realize that this goes right along with the secondlifestorage theme anyway)