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judelaurenzo25g's avatar
judelaurenzo25g
Explorer
Jan 09, 2018

1000w inverter install

Hi All,

After doing some research online and here on the forum. I'm going to be attempting to install a 500-1000w inverter to watch TV when dry camping.

I will be installing it within 2-3 feet of the battery compartment. I was planning on using 1/0 Gauge cable with 180 Amp ANL Fuse.

My questions are:
Is the 1/0 gauge the correct wire size?
Should I use 180amp fuse or circuit breaker? Is the 180amp to much?
Do I need to add any other safety measure between the inverter and battery?

I'm open to any suggestions regarding, inverter, wire, fuse or breaker size. I just want my family to be safe. Let me know if I overlooked anything.

Thanks,
JL

22 Replies

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  • judelaurenzo25g's avatar
    judelaurenzo25g
    Explorer
    Jan 09, 2018
    MrWizard wrote:
    i have a GoPower 300w, and it is wired for a remote switch

    i only use 2.5 amps at 12v to power the laptop

    for the 32" vizio TV its only 3 or 4 amps more

    less than 100w total

    DVD player uses a few more , but not much


    What model is it? Did you make your own remote switch? What gauge wire and fuse do you have inline?
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jan 09, 2018
    i have a GoPower 300w, and it is wired for a remote switch

    i only use 2.5 amps at 12v to power the laptop

    for the 32" vizio TV its only 3 or 4 amps more

    less than 100w total

    DVD player uses a few more , but not much
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Jan 09, 2018
    I use an AimsPower PSW 1000 watt and it has a remote switching feature. The AimsPower has the lowest idle amp draw of any inverter. I installed a 150 amp ANL fuse and used welding cable for the leads with crimp on Tweco solid copper lugs. Mine is close to the battery bank, in fact, less than 2 feet away. I also used welding cable to interconnect my batteries. Sold by the foot at any welding supply shop and TSC.

    The remote is nice, you never have to physically turn off the inverter, just push the buttom.

    I would not use a modified sine wave inverter, PSW inverters aren't that much more expensive.
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Jan 09, 2018
    1/0 is good to 130 or so amps. A 500w inverter might hit 100 amp on surge. Sounds like a good fit

    Check out the Bussman cp185-150 it's a circuit breaker and load switch, and it's cheap.

    I'd shop for a pure sinewave inverter instead of one with remote. Maybe down the road you want to run a box fan or something off it. No angry motor noises with pure sinewave.
  • ependydad's avatar
    ependydad
    Explorer
    Jan 09, 2018
    judelaurenzo25g wrote:
    Should I use 180amp fuse or circuit breaker? Is the 180amp to much?


    I chose a circuit breaker because I liked the idea of being able to isolate/"turn off" the inverter in case I needed to work on it.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jan 09, 2018
    “I'm going to be attempting to install a 500-1000w inverter to watch TV when dry camping.“

    That must be some TV. My 28 inch Jenson uses 40 watts. You may want a large inverter for other things but you don’t need it for TV.
  • judelaurenzo25g's avatar
    judelaurenzo25g
    Explorer
    Jan 09, 2018
    Chuck_thehammer wrote:
    do the math... not 500 to 1000

    I have a 400 watt Harbor freight inverter ... for 32 inch Samsung TV flat screen,, Directv satellite receiver box with recorder... 2 laptops... 1 smart phone, 1 flip phone, 1 8 inch tablet for internet and such..

    and I am not using 250 watts. but I never charge or use them all at the same time.


    Hi Chuck,

    I say 500 to 1000w because I want a inverter with a remote. Should I not worry about a remote?

    Thanks,
    JL
  • judelaurenzo25g's avatar
    judelaurenzo25g
    Explorer
    Jan 09, 2018
    GordonThree wrote:
    Which is it, 500 or 1000 watt? Which inverter specifically?


    HI GordonThree,

    I want to use a 500 but I can't seem to find a 500w with a remote. So I feel like I'll be forced to use a 1000w. I'll probably go with a Xantrex.

    Thanks,
    JL

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