I recently purchased a 1000W inverter and want to install it in my Hunter 33.5. There was no manual or anything with the inverter. My question is....what gauge wire do I use to connect it to my batteries? My battery system is two 12 volt marine batteries, and a battery charger which runs off of shore power. Also, which battery...or does it matter? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Inverter installation
- Thread starter aquaholic1
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Inverter install
I didn't do the math but just figure out what the current draw is at 1000W for 12 volts and size the cable accordingly - I think you should be fine with no 2 guage or larger cables. You should also install a fuse, similarly rated, in the battery cable to ensure the line is protected. Sounds like the bigger issue is the battery capacity and the attendant charging needs. If you plan to use the inverter much, you'd be smart to increase the battery capacity to handle the larger loads anticipated - one group 27 battery won't last long. The consequence of installing an inverter and proper battery capacity is the need to increase your charging equipment with a larger alternator and a good ext regulator. Don
I didn't do the math but just figure out what the current draw is at 1000W for 12 volts and size the cable accordingly - I think you should be fine with no 2 guage or larger cables. You should also install a fuse, similarly rated, in the battery cable to ensure the line is protected. Sounds like the bigger issue is the battery capacity and the attendant charging needs. If you plan to use the inverter much, you'd be smart to increase the battery capacity to handle the larger loads anticipated - one group 27 battery won't last long. The consequence of installing an inverter and proper battery capacity is the need to increase your charging equipment with a larger alternator and a good ext regulator. Don
Inverter Question
What make and model is the inverter? If it's of fairly recent manufacture I'll bet you can find a manual on line. For example, the manual for the Heart Freedom 10 which goes back over a decade is available as a *.pdf file. Don's estimate for wire size looks good (same as Freedom 10) but length of run should also be checked. The Heart has a maximum length requirement and if this is exceeded then you have to go up in gauge accordingly. If the conductors go through engine spaces then the ambient air temperature needs to be considered. Also heavy gauge and AC conductors should be shielded. Also, Dons comment about a fuse if good. They require a somewhat special fuse and fuse block - which is very! expensive - and the manual should specify the type and size. Ground wire: The unit should have a green ground wire connected to the ships ground. The Manual will specify size for a paticular run. You're dealing with 110V so the rules are different than for DC. A word of caution, depending on how you hook things up, the inverter can be active even though the battery bank is turned OFF. You don't want to be reminded the hard way when you're tinkering around in the back of the pannel.
What make and model is the inverter? If it's of fairly recent manufacture I'll bet you can find a manual on line. For example, the manual for the Heart Freedom 10 which goes back over a decade is available as a *.pdf file. Don's estimate for wire size looks good (same as Freedom 10) but length of run should also be checked. The Heart has a maximum length requirement and if this is exceeded then you have to go up in gauge accordingly. If the conductors go through engine spaces then the ambient air temperature needs to be considered. Also heavy gauge and AC conductors should be shielded. Also, Dons comment about a fuse if good. They require a somewhat special fuse and fuse block - which is very! expensive - and the manual should specify the type and size. Ground wire: The unit should have a green ground wire connected to the ships ground. The Manual will specify size for a paticular run. You're dealing with 110V so the rules are different than for DC. A word of caution, depending on how you hook things up, the inverter can be active even though the battery bank is turned OFF. You don't want to be reminded the hard way when you're tinkering around in the back of the pannel.
Careful with that green wire
It goes to AC ground - not DC negative or the bonding system. Some questions for you: What kind of inverter? Does it have a DC fuse? If not, put one in. Some inverters have a demand turn on circuit and some will drain the batteries whenever they are connected. Does it have an on/off switch? Some like the Freedom series have a charger built in and will switch the AC load to the incoming AC when hooked up to the dock. What are you using it for? It is likely cheaper to run the AC wire to the panel and put the charger closer to the battery. What are you asking when you say "which battery?" You probably will need a bigger battery bank and a better charging system, alternator, etc.
It goes to AC ground - not DC negative or the bonding system. Some questions for you: What kind of inverter? Does it have a DC fuse? If not, put one in. Some inverters have a demand turn on circuit and some will drain the batteries whenever they are connected. Does it have an on/off switch? Some like the Freedom series have a charger built in and will switch the AC load to the incoming AC when hooked up to the dock. What are you using it for? It is likely cheaper to run the AC wire to the panel and put the charger closer to the battery. What are you asking when you say "which battery?" You probably will need a bigger battery bank and a better charging system, alternator, etc.
Inverter
The inverter isn't wired into the 110 system, it just has two 110 outlets on one end. On the other end are one red inlet and one black inlet to attach wires which also attach to the batteries. What gauge should the supply wires be?
The inverter isn't wired into the 110 system, it just has two 110 outlets on one end. On the other end are one red inlet and one black inlet to attach wires which also attach to the batteries. What gauge should the supply wires be?
Wire size depends on
the load and the length of the run. 1000W / 12V = 83A. Add 50% and you get 125Amps. How long is the wire run? Number 2 wire sounds like a good guess to me.
the load and the length of the run. 1000W / 12V = 83A. Add 50% and you get 125Amps. How long is the wire run? Number 2 wire sounds like a good guess to me.
Wire run
I'd say the outside measurement would be 18 feet. That sounds excessive but the batteries are in the aft, portside storage compartment and i want the inverter in the galley.
I'd say the outside measurement would be 18 feet. That sounds excessive but the batteries are in the aft, portside storage compartment and i want the inverter in the galley.
Inverter power
I connected the positive on the inverter to the battery selector switch so that whichever battery you are using for the house battery is the one that feeds the inverter. Mounted a high capacity fuse to the switch and the inverter lead to the fuse. the fuse fit into the back of the switch.
I connected the positive on the inverter to the battery selector switch so that whichever battery you are using for the house battery is the one that feeds the inverter. Mounted a high capacity fuse to the switch and the inverter lead to the fuse. the fuse fit into the back of the switch.
install inverter
Install your inveter next to your new enlarged battery bank and run 120V. ac on a 12 ga. circuit to your galley. Better results, easier installation and alot less $.
Install your inveter next to your new enlarged battery bank and run 120V. ac on a 12 ga. circuit to your galley. Better results, easier installation and alot less $.
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