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inverters and battery cables [message #103575]

Wed, 20 October 2010 12:17

jayrabe

Messages: 509
Registered: June 2009
Location: Portland, OR

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Enjoyed the info and comments on the inverter thread. Good stuff. Several new bookmarks for my collection for future purchases. Smile

Raised some related questions so started a new thread.

Re: 2000w inverters running off 12v. 2000w at 12v is 167amps. Yikes. So this is why mounting the inverter as close to the battery as possible is a good idea to reduce voltage drop.

But the question is wire size. The table I looked at said 2ga wire, recommended by someone, maybe Bob, only carries 88A and 132A surge. To carry 167A requires 00ga (177A) or at least 1ga (167A surge).

So I know pulling a full 2000w from the batteries will drain them pretty quickly, but if you need 2000w, that's what you deal with. Extra battery banks anyone? What size wire are people using to connect their 2000w inverters to the batteries? Does anybody use the full 2000w and is there any efficiency or other advantage of having a 2000w inverter that you never load more than 1000w (which 2ga wire will carry)?

Thanks

J
76 PB
Portland, OR

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Re: inverters and battery cables [message #103586 is a reply to message #103575]

Wed, 20 October 2010 14:35

hertfordnc

Messages: 1164
Registered: September 2009
Location: East NC

Karma: 0

Senior Member

I think if you really need 2000 watts very often it might make sense to go with a 24 volt inverter and charger.

Won't change battery life but it would be a happier system with smaller wires.

Dave & Ellen Silva Hertford, NC 76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021 It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.

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Re: inverters and battery cables [message #103593 is a reply to message #103586]

Wed, 20 October 2010 15:27

WD0AFQ

Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.

Karma: 207

Senior Member

J, my 4 6 volt batteries are up front. I run a short 00 gauge set of cables through the firewall. The 2000 w Vector is under the driver's seat. Wally has his batteries in the rear and has a much neater setup than I do. All of his is hidden.
Vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, and microwave are our biggest power users when we dry camp. From my up front inverter I have a heavy gauge extension cord that runs behind couch, sink and oven, to the rear electrical compartment. I run the TV and Satellite Reciever from a 700 watt inverter that I have in the passenger side dash. We use it even when we are plugged into a/c. Just simpler to leave it on all the time.
Dan

3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm 355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng. Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer

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Re: [GMCnet] inverters and battery cables [message #103620 is a reply to message #103593]

Wed, 20 October 2010 19:18

jayrabe

Messages: 509
Registered: June 2009
Location: Portland, OR

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Thanks Gregg, sounds like a good setup. How did you attach the connectors? Crimped/soldered? Ever tried to run your AC off the 2kw inverter?

Thanks again. Hope we cross paths some day so I can see your coach. Sounds like the direction I'm going with mine. Will you be at the Wilsonville rally in Dec?

J
76PB
Portland, OR

> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: gregg_dan@hotmail.com
> Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:27:57 -0500
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] inverters and battery cables
>
>
>
> J, my 4 6 volt batteries are up front. I run a short 00 gauge set of cables through the firewall. The 2000 w Vector is under the driver's seat. Wally has his batteries in the rear and has a much neater setup than I do. All of his is hidden.
> Vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, and microwave are our biggest power users when we dry camp. From my up front inverter I have a heavy gauge extension cord that runs behind couch, sink and oven, to the rear electrical compartment. I run the TV and Satellite Reciever from a 700 watt inverter that I have in the passenger side dash. We use it even when we are plugged into a/c. Just simpler to leave it on all the time.
> Dan
> --
> Dan & Teri Gregg
>
> http://danandteri.blogspot.com/
>
>
>
>
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Re: [GMCnet] inverters and battery cables [message #103628 is a reply to message #103620]

Wed, 20 October 2010 20:37

WD0AFQ

Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.

Karma: 207

Senior Member

No, won't be there J but might be in Portland area in Feb, not sure yet. No air conditioner on a 2000 w inverter. I have a hammer drive crimper that I use to put ends on my large cables.
Now, there is a really great place to get cable ends at a little shop in Garabaldi, if you ever get over that way. I stock up on them each summer when we are there. Large ones are 40 cents each, Smaller ones are 25 cents and then he has a bunch, a bit smaller, 10 for a buck.
Dan

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