Renogy 8ft 4 AWG Copper Tray Cable: battery to charge controller

The Renogy 8 ft 4 AWG tray cable (model RNG-TRAYCB-8FT-4) is a pair of copper cables for connecting a solar charge controller to a battery. Each cable is 8 feet (about 2.4 m) long, finished with a ring terminal on one end and bare stranded wire on the other. It is a small part, but the cable between controller and battery carries the full charging current, so its size and build matter.

How it connects

The ring-terminal end bolts onto your battery post. The brand lists a 3/8 inch round centre hole in the ring. The other end is exposed stranded wire that goes straight into the charge controller's terminals. Renogy says this layout keeps setup simple, with no crimping needed on the battery side.

What 4 AWG means

AWG is the American Wire Gauge, and a lower number means a thicker conductor. 4 AWG is a fairly heavy gauge. Thicker wire has less resistance, so it loses less power as heat and voltage drop over a given length, which is why charge controller and battery runs often use it. Renogy offers several lengths and four gauge sizes, so you can pick the combination that suits your current and distance.

Materials

Renogy describes the conductor as pure, oxygen-free copper for maximum conductivity. The terminals are tin-plated copper, a coating commonly used to reduce corrosion. Heat-shrink tubing at the connections adds insulation and abrasion resistance.

Outdoor and solar use

The cable is listed as meeting TUV standards for photovoltaic (PV) applications, and is described as UV resistant and waterproof. Renogy says it delivers optimal power output even in high-temperature conditions. Those traits matter for cables near solar installations, which can see sun, weather and heat.

Size and weight

The listing gives the cable's length as 96 inches, with a very slim profile of 0.2 x 0.1 inches in the dimensions field, and a weight of about 1 lb (roughly 0.45 kg).

What to check before you buy

• The current your system will carry and the cable length you need; confirm the gauge against the controller's and manufacturer's wiring guidance.
• Whether 8 feet is enough to reach from the controller to the battery without strain.
• Terminal size: check your battery post suits a 3/8 inch ring.
• Fuses or breakers, which are separate parts you will need in the circuit.
• Which controller terminals the stranded wire will go into, and whether they accept this gauge.
• Follow the manuals and local electrical codes, or use a qualified installer.

The short version

• A pair of 8 ft, 4 AWG copper cables linking a charge controller to a battery.
• Ring terminals on one end, exposed stranded wire on the other.
• Oxygen-free copper wire, tin-plated terminals and heat-shrink insulation.
• TUV listed for PV use, and described as UV resistant and waterproof.

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