Inverter Installation.I installed a Xantrex 600 watt pure sinewave power inverter in the truck camper. 200.00 from Discount Solar in Quartzsite. I installed it with 6 gauge wire, 8 gauge green ground wire, and a 40 amp inline fuse. The small compartment on the inside next to the battery box was the chosen place for it. I left about 3 feet of lead on the wires so we can lift the inverter out of the compartment and set on the floor or countertop, whichever position works best at the time. I installed it to have safer cleaner power for the laptop, printer, and other electronics. It's not a big inverter at 600 watts, no hair dryers, toasters, and such, but it will suit our needs. A larger inverter would install the same way just with appropriately larger wiring.

40 amp fuse gives you 480W, your inverter is 600?

And 6 awg is marginal, better to have gone with at least 4 awg.

Short wires and will never use full amount 600 watts for our needs. Proper fuse for the wire. 6 awg wire is rated for 55 amps current. I can install a larger fuse if needed. No problem.

Why not shorten up the 6 gauge wires and mount the inverter into the cabinet. Run from there with your 120v out and add a outlet or two or more throughout the camper where you need power? Even though you are not running big loads shortening the low voltage wires will improve efficiency.I would also ditch those wing nuts on your battery terminal. They loosen with time. Or you could loctite them.

work2much wrote:Why not shorten up the 6 gauge wires and mount the inverter into the cabinet. Run from there with your 120v out and add a outlet or two or more throughout the camper where you need power? Even though you are not running big loads shortening the low voltage wires will improve efficiency.I would also ditch those wing nuts on your battery terminal. They loosen with time. Or you could loctite them.There's 2 feet extra wire. The resistance is so small in that length, not going to worry about it. Never yet had trouble with the wingnuts. Having the ability to position the inverter where needed is good. Most of the time though, it will reside in its cabinet. Used it to run the laptop and charge a phone this AM. The new solar panel had the system bringing in 8.1 amps. Very happy with it!

Video: Installing a 600 Watt Pure Sine Inverter

burningman
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2019
Even though 6-gauge is rated to handle the current, heavier gauge will actually work better.
You can’t go too big on the battery cables.

I just installed a Xantrex ProWatt SW2000 in my camper, I used 2-0 (that’s minus-2 below zero gauge).
Xantrex sells a very nice auto transfer switch, it’ll default to inverter power and switch to shore power whenever there is any. I put in two, one for the microwave outlet and one for the kitchen counter outlet. They’re like $50, and then you don’t have to do anything.

Also for like $20 Xantrex sells a remote control switch for the ProWatt SW series.
Then it’s really easy to use the thing.
Camper_Jeff___K
Nomad III
Jan 19, 2019
ScottG wrote:
Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli wrote:
Short wires and will never use full amount 600 watts for our needs. Proper fuse for the wire. 6 awg wire is rated for 55 amps current. I can install a larger fuse if needed. No problem.

There's another problem with using too small of fuse - one that I learned the hard way in radio. An undersized fuse can catually act as a current limiting resisitor, especially at or near it's max rating.
So you could end up with premature shutdown because the inverter thinks the voltage is lower than it really is.

Just my experience,
Good luck.

That is true. If there is a problem, a 50 amp fuse goes right in. I might use 200 watts.
ScottG
Nomad
Jan 18, 2019
Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli wrote:
Short wires and will never use full amount 600 watts for our needs. Proper fuse for the wire. 6 awg wire is rated for 55 amps current. I can install a larger fuse if needed. No problem.

There's another problem with using too small of fuse - one that I learned the hard way in radio. An undersized fuse can catually act as a current limiting resisitor, especially at or near it's max rating.
So you could end up with premature shutdown because the inverter thinks the voltage is lower than it really is.

Just my experience,
Good luck.
Camper_Jeff___K
Nomad III
Jan 18, 2019
work2much wrote:
Why not shorten up the 6 gauge wires and mount the inverter into the cabinet. Run from there with your 120v out and add a outlet or two or more throughout the camper where you need power? Even though you are not running big loads shortening the low voltage wires will improve efficiency.

I would also ditch those wing nuts on your battery terminal. They loosen with time. Or you could loctite them.

There's 2 feet extra wire. The resistance is so small in that length, not going to worry about it. Never yet had trouble with the wingnuts. Having the ability to position the inverter where needed is good. Most of the time though, it will reside in its cabinet. Used it to run the laptop and charge a phone this AM. The new solar panel had the system bringing in 8.1 amps. Very happy with it!
work2much
Explorer
Jan 18, 2019
Why not shorten up the 6 gauge wires and mount the inverter into the cabinet. Run from there with your 120v out and add a outlet or two or more throughout the camper where you need power? Even though you are not running big loads shortening the low voltage wires will improve efficiency.

I would also ditch those wing nuts on your battery terminal. They loosen with time. Or you could loctite them.
Camper_Jeff___K
Nomad III
Jan 18, 2019
Short wires and will never use full amount 600 watts for our needs. Proper fuse for the wire. 6 awg wire is rated for 55 amps current. I can install a larger fuse if needed. No problem.
ScottG
Nomad
Jan 18, 2019
And 6 awg is marginal, better to have gone with at least 4 awg.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jan 18, 2019
40 amp fuse gives you 480W, your inverter is 600?

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Video: Installing a 600 Watt Pure Sine Inverter

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