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inverter dc cable size


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gt40mech 
Member - Posts: 8
Member spacespace
Joined: July 25, 2006
Location: United States
Posted: September 23, 2007 at 3:33 PM / IP Logged  

I am installing 2 Xantrex X-power 1200 inverters in a custom Sprinter van. I've never done anything like this before and could use some advice from experienced installers.

The installation instructions say to use 2ga wire for the + cable and 8ga for the - cable.

Two questions:

1. Why the big difference in wire size for the pos and neg DC cables?

2. Space for routing the cables is really tight. Would running 4ga + cables make much of a difference in the inverters operation? One of the inverters will be powering about 750 watts and the other only about 100 watts. I could splt the loads more evenly if that would help.

Thanks,

Inverter newbie

i am an idiot 
Platinum - Posts: 13,693
Platinum spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: September 21, 2006
Location: Louisiana, United States
Posted: September 23, 2007 at 4:22 PM / IP Logged  
The only reason I could see for them telling you to use smaller ground wire is if they are depending on the chassis of the inverter help by grounding it to the chassis of the vehicle.  I would not count on the mounting screws for a ground.  If there is enough room for a 2 Ga. ground I would use it.      Do the inverters have fuses mounted on them?  If so how many and what size are they?   Where size = current.
gt40mech 
Member - Posts: 8
Member spacespace
Joined: July 25, 2006
Location: United States
Posted: September 23, 2007 at 6:16 PM / IP Logged  

No the inverters do not have integral fuses. The instructions say to use a 150 amp fuse on the power cable to the inverter. A 400 watt inverter I have on hand has a 35 amp fuse. That would put the 1000 watt inverter at about 90(?) amps. The only reason I can see for a 150 amp fuse is to protect the pos. power cable and the vehicle battery. The inverter has built in thermal and overload protection. I really need to reduce the size of the positive cables.

Thanks

i am an idiot 
Platinum - Posts: 13,693
Platinum spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: September 21, 2006
Location: Louisiana, United States
Posted: September 23, 2007 at 9:08 PM / IP Logged  
A 4 Ga. wire should be fused at 150 amps.  Since you will not be running either of them close to the rated 1200 watts, I would have to say you will be safe with the 4 Ga. wire. 
fakepete 
Copper - Posts: 99
Copper spacespace
Joined: April 21, 2002
Location: United States
Posted: September 23, 2007 at 9:25 PM / IP Logged  
If the total load is only 850 watts, do you really need to use both inverters?
gt40mech 
Member - Posts: 8
Member spacespace
Joined: July 25, 2006
Location: United States
Posted: September 24, 2007 at 5:33 AM / IP Logged  

two reasons for 2 inverters:

the customer wants the option of powering a small fridge or microwave and these converters were the closest I could find price and power wise that had a remote on-off switch. Space is REALLY tight with no room for the large relays needed for remote switching.

CapSS92 
Copper - Posts: 51
Copper spacespace
Joined: August 25, 2003
Location: United States
Posted: September 25, 2007 at 4:36 AM / IP Logged  
I agree with the 4ga. You should be ok.
throwing_copper 
Member - Posts: 2
Member spacespace
Joined: September 27, 2007
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posted: September 27, 2007 at 1:33 PM / IP Logged  
What is the pos cable length?  If 20+ feet , one guage larger is wise.

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