1000w inverter install

[judelaurenzo25g]

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

[BurbMan]

Good choice, that will also give you a little headroom for cell phone chargers, etc.

[judelaurenzo25g]

BurbMan wrote:
Don't just buy an inverter using round numbers....add up the wattage of what you want to power, and buy one that will do the job. Remember that the bigger the inverter, the more you can run, and the faster it will suck your batteries dry.

I got a 150w pure sine inverter and installed it with this 15a auto transfer switch.

Here's the post on my inverter install.

I've since upgraded the converter/charger to a Progressive Dynamics with charge wizard, so I can restore the batteries with only a brief runtime when we are boondocking.

It's also a good idea to install a voltage meter if you don'y have one...I use it along with this chart to monitor battery charge:

According to my calculations I'd be using around 155w.
LCD TV: 120w
Receiver: 10w
SWM Power Adapter: 25w

I'll likely go with a 300w inverter now that I've done my calculations.

Thanks,
JL

[BurbMan]

Don't just buy an inverter using round numbers....add up the wattage of what you want to power, and buy one that will do the job. Remember that the bigger the inverter, the more you can run, and the faster it will suck your batteries dry.

I got a 150w pure sine inverter and installed it with this 15a auto transfer switch.

Here's the post on my inverter install.

I've since upgraded the converter/charger to a Progressive Dynamics with charge wizard, so I can restore the batteries with only a brief runtime when we are boondocking.

It's also a good idea to install a voltage meter if you don'y have one...I use it along with this chart to monitor battery charge:

[JTLance]

pauldub wrote:
Here's one with a remote switch.

I use the one that is bigger by them and its been flawless.

the larger model

[pauldub]

Here's one with a remote switch.

[judelaurenzo25g]

GordonThree wrote:

judelaurenzo25g wrote:

Dusty R wrote:
Check the wall wart on the end of the TV's power cord. Most convert 120 volt ac to 12 volt dc.

How will this help me?

The idea is you could cut the 120v plug off and instead, attach a 12v accessory plug. Eliminating the need for inverter.

If you DO have a 12v tv, this is the easiest way to go.

I've never seen one, not to say they don't exist. They're just not sold in the markets I deal with I guess.

Well, this probably wouldn't work for me even if I could find one. I would have to do the same for the DIRECTV receiver and the satellite power.

[GordonThree]

judelaurenzo25g wrote:

Dusty R wrote:
Check the wall wart on the end of the TV's power cord. Most convert 120 volt ac to 12 volt dc.

How will this help me?

The idea is you could cut the 120v plug off and instead, attach a 12v accessory plug. Eliminating the need for inverter.

If you DO have a 12v tv, this is the easiest way to go.

I've never seen one, not to say they don't exist. They're just not sold in the markets I deal with I guess.

[GordonThree]

Dusty R wrote:
Check the wall wart on the end of the TV's power cord. Most convert 120 volt ac to 12 volt dc.

Do they sell these TV's anymore?

The last dozen or so I've purchased of all sizes from 19 up to 80 inch, none came with an adapter cord

The 120 volt line cord goes directly into the tv.

A dozen TV's you ask? Yes, I buy a lot of them at work. Probably closer to two dozen in the last three years.

[judelaurenzo25g]

Dusty R wrote:
Check the wall wart on the end of the TV's power cord. Most convert 120 volt ac to 12 volt dc.

How will this help me?

[Dusty_R]

Check the wall wart on the end of the TV's power cord. Most convert 120 volt ac to 12 volt dc.

[MrWizard]

300w
8ga wire, less than 3 ft in each leg. less than 6ft total
pluug on the front, you can buy one or make one, simple toggle and two wires
main switch says on off remote



https://www.amazon.com/Go-Power-GP-SW300-12-300-Watt-Inverter/dp/B001539BCE

[judelaurenzo25g]

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]

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]

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.