ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
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go to a welding shop and buy the length of welding cable in the gauge you want and have them put logs on it for you. Many shops can do that.
Otherwise you'll need a hybraulic crimper. And based on what I've done I'd suggest and least 2/0 wire if not 3/0. Most inverters have a low voltage shutoff and a few tenths of a volt drop can make the difference in inverter running and inverter shutting down.
And make sure you use the correct fuse to the inverter. they are big, bulky but meant to protect under the high load conditions.
Welding cable has lots of very fine wire so it is very flexible and easy to route.
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timelinex
AZ
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Joined: 04/22/2022
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Boomerweps wrote:Read the reviews on Amazon. Most complain about the wires supplied with inverters is TOO small, mostly 4 AWG.
Use at least 1/0awg or better yet, 2/0awg. If making your own, ask for the given gauge welding cables at your electrical supply store. Welding cable is very flexible with many smaller wires.
Another consideration is that many, myself included, decide that a given inverter is a little small and get a higher power unit. If the wiring is extra thick for the smaller inverter, it can support the larger unit.
IMO, the inverter should be directly connected to the battery bank with only a fuse or circuit breaker on the positive cable.
I plan on adding a BUS bar. Should I connect the negative end directly to my shunt and positive to my batteries...Or should I go through the Bus Bars, which add distance.
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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At 250A direct and short as possible. BTW 250A is marginal for 4/O wire.
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Bob
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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timelinex,
be sure to wire the batteries in a balanced manner.
This is what is balanced and best for twin twelve volt batteries.
![[image]](http://www.rubyorchid.com/RV/images/Pianotuna12V.png)
As it often doesn't cost a dime more to do this, I think it is worth the trouble.
If you wish to understand the "why" surf here:
correctly interconnecting multiple twelve volt batteries
Others may say it doesn't matter--but unless there is a compelling reason to not optimize charging and discharging why not do it the best possible way?
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA
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Make sure whatever size you decide on, it has multiple strands. Building wire is not the best. Welding cable works but so does power wire available at fancy radio installation shops.
Cables can have up to 400 strands.
Bud
USAF Retired
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Boomerweps
Hills of PA
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timelinex wrote:Boomerweps wrote:Read the reviews on Amazon. Most complain about the wires supplied with inverters is TOO small, mostly 4 AWG.
Use at least 1/0awg or better yet, 2/0awg. If making your own, ask for the given gauge welding cables at your electrical supply store. Welding cable is very flexible with many smaller wires.
Another consideration is that many, myself included, decide that a given inverter is a little small and get a higher power unit. If the wiring is extra thick for the smaller inverter, it can support the larger unit.
IMO, the inverter should be directly connected to the battery bank with only a fuse or circuit breaker on the positive cable.
I plan on adding a BUS bar. Should I connect the negative end directly to my shunt and positive to my batteries...Or should I go through the Bus Bars, which add distance.
I would not route inverter power via the shunt or buss bars (extra connections between the battery and inverter). Make it as direct & short as possible, just protection.
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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Boomerweps wrote:I would not route inverter power via the shunt or buss bars (extra connections between the battery and inverter). Make it as direct & short as possible, just protection. Without the inverter on the shunt the battery monitor would not be very accurate.
My shunt is rated at 500A 50mV hence very limited voltage drop considering its 25mV at 250A. Plus connections of course.
* This post was
edited 10/18/23 07:57pm by CA Traveler *
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Joined: 08/19/2009
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The cable length and amperage determine the wire size needed. Online calculators are available. Search or voltage drop calculator. If you plug in 3000w, that should be a bit conservative for you 2000w inverter but if not significantly more, look at going on size larger.
At 3000w, you are pretty much up around what the starter on a car will pull, so yes, you need a thick cable.
You might look for a heavy duty set of jumper cables to sacrifice. Much smaller 50amp charger installed recently but the 6ft 4 gauge wire was running $30 per cable (ie: I needed 2). Set of jumper cables was $15. I cut the ends off and used the wire.
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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Goog suggestion but I've never seen 4/O jumper cables, maybe from a tow truck?
Check jumper cablles as you want solid copper and notf copper coated alumiinum,
4' will limit the cost,
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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CA Traveler wrote:Goog suggestion but I've never seen 4/O jumper cables, maybe from a tow truck?
Check jumper cablles as you want solid copper and notf copper coated alumiinum,
4' will limit the cost,
Problem is home depot was selling cable in 6ft lengths.
The 4 gauge was in the auto section and at 50amps, not too critical.
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