Inverter install and some questions

[Mx468]

I just purchased a Nature Power Pure Sinewave 2000 watt inverter for a great deal and planning to put it in my 72' safari airstream. I had a few questions.

1. I only want 2 dedicated plugs which I plan on running 2 extension cords from the inverter's gfi plug and hard wiring them into 2 new sockets Can I use regular extension cords and cut off the female end and install to outlets? Also what size outlet plugs do I get? 15amps?
I plan on basically running a led tv, blueray player, bluetooth speaker, coffee maker and use it to charge my ipad, iphones, and macbook. I do plan on installing a 200 watt solar panel in the near future. I hardly do any hardcore boondocking but when we travel we sometimes sleep at a Walmart/Camping World, truck stop, etc.. parking lot and would like the convenience of AC power without pulling out my generator. I currently have a single 29L Deep cycle Marine battery with 840 cranking amps and 210 reserve.

2. Do I just run a negative and positive cable to my battery terminal? Will 2 awg work or should I use 4? The battery and inverter will be only about 2-3 feet away from each other. I also plan on installing a 300ADC Fuse on the positive line close to the battery terminal.

3. Do I need to do anything else? I plan on installing this in my back closet on a shelf I plan to build in the closet. Which is located right above my battery compartment box. I also have the remote to go along with it for easy on and off capabilities.

[JMynes]

2000 watts at 120 volts is 16 amps. That’s the total output of your inverter, so 15 amp outlets are fine.
2000 watts at 12 volts is 153 amps. Allowing for some efficiency loss in the inverter, I would expect the most DC draw you could see is around 160 amps. I would use a 175 amp breaker, not the 300 amp version you’re planning on.
Your battery is not going to tolerate a 160 amp discharge for very long.
I don’t think you will ever use the entire 2000 amps. The coffee maker is likely your biggest draw. Check the wattage, divide by 12 to get the rough amp draw from your battery.
As far as wires go, bigger is better. The good news is you have a short run. I would use the 2 awg.
Buy some Romex to wire the inverter to the outlets if you can hard wire it. Otherwise, if you’re plugging in to the inverter, get some serious extension cords (12 gauge) and wire the hot, neutral and ground correctly.

[Mx468]

What size Romex wire would you suggest? The longest run is probably about 12 feet.

[JMynes]

14 gauge Romex is rated for 15 amps. With only a 12 foot run that should work fine.
If I were doing it I would use 12 gauge. It doesn’t cost much more, and once again, when it comes to wire, bigger is better.

[Mx468]

Hey Jim would I be ok with 14 gauge heavy duty indoor/outdoor 25ft' extension cord? My coffee maker which would be the biggest draw pulls about 58 amps? Its a 700 watt coffee maker. The only other draw would be ipad/iphone chargers and a 24 inch led tv. Also the cord will be cut to about 20ft and directly installed to an outlet. Thanks for all your advice.

[Mx468]

Originally Posted by JMynes

14 gauge Romex is rated for 15 amps. With only a 12 foot run that should work fine.
If I were doing it I would use 12 gauge. It doesn’t cost much more, and once again, when it comes to wire, bigger is better.

Or....Can I just buy a plug and attach one end to the romex and hardwire the other end into the outlet?

[JMynes]

As I said before, if I was going to ‘plug in’ to the inverter, rather than hard wire, I would get a 12 gauge extension cord. They can be bought at Lowe’s or Home Depot in the 25’ length you want. Snip the female receptacle end off, strip the wires and attach that to the back of your 15A outlet. Be sure to get the hot, neutral, and ground connected to the correct slots.
I am not an electrician. I doubt that this method us up to ‘code’. Follow my advice at your own risk.
Electricity is not rocket science. Use common sense, make your connections tight and secure. Watch out for sharp edges.
My mother tells me she caught me sticking a bobby pin into an outlet as a toddler.
Zzztt... giggle.
Zzztt... giggle.
I’ve been jolted a few times as an adult, too. Furnace transformers hurt!
That might explain a few things...

[Mx468]

Originally Posted by JMynes

As I said before, if I was going to ‘plug in’ to the inverter, rather than hard wire, I would get a 12 gauge extension cord. They can be bought at Lowe’s or Home Depot in the 25’ length you want. Snip the female receptacle end off, strip the wires and attach that to the back of your 15A outlet. Be sure to get the hot, neutral, and ground connected to the correct slots.
I am not an electrician. I doubt that this method us up to ‘code’. Follow my advice at your own risk.
Electricity is not rocket science. Use common sense, make your connections tight and secure. Watch out for sharp edges.
My mother tells me she caught me sticking a bobby pin into an outlet as a toddler.
Zzztt... giggle.
Zzztt... giggle.
I’ve been jolted a few times as an adult, too. Furnace transformers hurt!
That might explain a few things...

Ha ha me too thanks again.

[Mx468]

So I finally figured out my inverter and wire install. Thanks to JMynes for all his insight. I attached a diagram I made in photoshop for whomever else might be confused and need something to follow. The only question I have left is, do I need to unplug my converter while using my inverter?

[rmkrum]

Originally Posted by Mx468

So I finally figured out my inverter and wire install. Thanks to JMynes for all his insight. I attached a diagram I made in photoshop for whomever else might be confused and need something to follow. The only question I have left is, do I need to unplug my converter while using my inverter?

As long as the inverter output does NOT go to the converter's 110 Vac input its not a problem...your drawing shows inverter going to dedicated outlets, and I assume you would bot plug converter into either of them...

[JMynes]

If the converter is up and running, charging your battery, it implies that you are plugged in to shore power or generator, energizing your ‘other’ (non-inverter) AC outlets. Why would you need to run the inverter in that situation?

[Mx468]

Should I add a disconnect switch on my positive lead? If yes would anyone do? Nominal current 300 amp?
I found this one on ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Battery-Dis...AAAOSw7pNZpfcO

[youngpeck]

Many forum members (including me) have used the Blue Sea switches:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bnav_se...tery+Switches+

[Mx468]

Originally Posted by youngpeck

Many forum members (including me) have used the Blue Sea switches:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bnav_se...tery+Switches+

Would this one be ok?
https://www.amazon.com/ANJOSHI-Batte...Switches&psc=1

[youngpeck]

Originally Posted by Mx468

Would this one be ok?
https://www.amazon.com/ANJOSHI-Batte...Switches&psc=1

Probably. I don't know anything about it, but don't see why not. It is cheaper than the Blue Sea switches. I see it has a 200 amp rating while the Blue Sea has a 300 amp rating. Perhaps someone on the forums with more knowledge than me will chime in. I got the Blue Sea (I have three of them in use) because it was so highly regarded by so many people here. I don't want to mess around with my electrical system. I buy the highest quality stuff I can.