Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-02-2006, 01:05 PM   #1
3 Rivet Member
 
Streamin 65's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Columbus , Ohio
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 180
Images: 14
Inverter installation question

I recently purchased a Xantrex 1200 watt inverter to run a few things for when we decide to camp "cordless". The plan is to wire a receptacle (outlet) just below the breaker box and connect the inverter to that outlet via a small extention cord with two male ends to feed the circuit. The installation manual suggests a 150 amp DC fuse between the battery and the inverter. Although I'm sure it work with out the fuse, I'd really like to add one here just in case something were to short out. The problem I've had is some real difficulty finding a fuse that'll work. What I did find locally was an install kit for a 1500 watt car audio amplifier. It had the right size cable (2awg) and an inline fuse rated at 175 amp, however the fuse was an AGU not an ADC. Is there a difference? I mean, could an audio amplifier install kit work for a power inverter? Thanks, dave
Streamin 65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2006, 01:40 PM   #2
1 Rivet Member
 
Central , Anywhere
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by Streamin 65
connect the inverter to that outlet via a small extention cord with two male ends to feed the circuit.
There is a nickname for that- Deadman's Cable. Don't do it.
Tin Knocker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2006, 01:45 PM   #3
3 Rivet Member
 
Streamin 65's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Columbus , Ohio
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 180
Images: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tin Knocker
There is a nickname for that- Deadman's Cable. Don't do it.
May I ask why not? My thoughts were that a short legnth of 10 gauge wire (well, the left overs from the service change on the trailer) would carry the current just fine. Is there a good reason not too? Thanks, dave
Streamin 65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2006, 01:45 PM   #4
Rivet Master
 
Alumaholic's Avatar
 
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Albuquerque , New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,917
Images: 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tin Knocker
There is a nickname for that- Deadman's Cable. Don't do it.
Dang it, Tin Knocker, you just eliminated another contender for the Darwin Awards.
__________________
Ken L
2019 Flying Cloud 27FB
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 6.2L Max Tow
Four Corners Unit WBCCI #5783
Alumaholic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2006, 01:55 PM   #5
Rivet Master
 
Alumaholic's Avatar
 
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Albuquerque , New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,917
Images: 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by Streamin 65
May I ask why not? My thoughts were that a short legnth of 10 gauge wire (well, the left overs from the service change on the trailer) would carry the current just fine. Is there a good reason not too? Thanks, dave
Yes, as Tin Knocker has already alluded, it could kill you or a family member in any number of accident scenarios. Your simple male to male connection defeats many decades of carefully developed electric wiring codes.

But on a lighter note, a female acquaintance upon learning that she could not run her microwave on the 12 volt system, responded that, "there should be a Federal law that all electricity has to be the same."
__________________
Ken L
2019 Flying Cloud 27FB
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 6.2L Max Tow
Four Corners Unit WBCCI #5783
Alumaholic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2006, 02:57 PM   #6
3 Rivet Member
 
Streamin 65's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Columbus , Ohio
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 180
Images: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by klevan
Yes, as Tin Knocker has already alluded, it could kill you or a family member in any number of accident scenarios. Your simple male to male connection defeats many decades of carefully developed electric wiring codes.

But on a lighter note, a female acquaintance upon learning that she could not run her microwave on the 12 volt system, responded that, "there should be a Federal law that all electricity has to be the same."
Not trying to discount anyone's advise against the male to male connection, but I still don't see how it could be a hazard. I'm not an electrical engineer or anything, but I was an electrician many moons ago, and my intuition is saying that it shouldn't be a problem at all, provided the correct gauge wire is used, unless the circuit was being fed by shore power and the inverter at the same time. I do know you can feed power to a house circuit in the same manner via generator provided the main breaker is off (to prevent backflow of power). Is there a solid reason that this setup would be unsafe? I build homes now for a living and have electrical inspectors on site frequently, I really inclined to get their opinion now!!! Thanks again, Dave
Streamin 65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2006, 03:15 PM   #7
Rivet Master

 
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
Images: 59
Dave,

The first reason is that you have exposed, live conductors. Think "Tazer".

Other reasons are that you could plug the cord into two receptacles of different polarity.

And of course as you noted, you could backfeed from a generator into the power grid.

I know you don't anticipate doing any of these things, but what about your 8 year old child who doesn't know any better.
markdoane is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2006, 03:31 PM   #8
Rivet Master
 
Alumaholic's Avatar
 
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Albuquerque , New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,917
Images: 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by Streamin 65
I do know you can feed power to a house circuit in the same manner via generator provided the main breaker is off (to prevent backflow of power). Is there a solid reason that this setup would be unsafe? I build homes now for a living and have electrical inspectors on site frequently, I really inclined to get their opinion now!!! Thanks again, Dave
You've captured a couple of the lethal scenarios that I was contemplating.
When I lived in NC, we would have one or two linemen injured or killed each hurricane season when homeowners would hook up their house to a generator with a "Deadman's Cable." The correct design for your application would include a fool proof means of switching to inverter power that cannot be overlooked or forgotten in the haste to break camp and get on the road. Can you imagine the excitement you would have if you left your connecter plugged in from your last "cordless camp" and then hooked up to 120 AC at your next stop? Good luck with your design. I think it would be a great thing to bounce off your electrical inspector. Most would enjoy the opportunity to ensure a safe solution to your project.
__________________
Ken L
2019 Flying Cloud 27FB
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 6.2L Max Tow
Four Corners Unit WBCCI #5783
Alumaholic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2006, 06:26 PM   #9
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
Transfer Switch

This is what you need to do the install you are talking about. A manual transfer switch will allow inlet current from only one source at a time...be it the inverter or shore power. These are common on any RV that has a gen-set so that the generator current can't collide with the shore power, it's one or the other.

If you want to be totally certain that you will never have any of these scenarios, why don't you simply dedicate an outlet or two to the inverter ONLY. This way they will be dead when hooked to shore power and will be hot ONLY when you are using the inverter. No feedback, no connection to the 120VAC trailer wiring, NO PROBLEMS!
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
lewster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2006, 06:31 PM   #10
Rivet Master
 
Alumaholic's Avatar
 
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Albuquerque , New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,917
Images: 36
Now You're Talking

Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster
This is what you need to do the install you are talking about. A manual transfer switch will allow inlet current from only one source at a time...be it the inverter or shore power. These are common on any RV that has a gen-set so that the generator current can't collide with the shore power, it's one or the other.

If you want to be totally certain that you will never have any of these scenarios, why don't you simply dedicate an outlet or two to the inverter ONLY. This way they will be dead when hooked to shore power and will be hot ONLY when you are using the inverter. No feedback, no connection to the 120VAC trailer wiring, NO PROBLEMS!
And you won't have a Male-Male pigtail just laying around waiting for someone to pick up and curiously plug in to the nearest outlet and zzzzZZZAAAP!
__________________
Ken L
2019 Flying Cloud 27FB
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 6.2L Max Tow
Four Corners Unit WBCCI #5783
Alumaholic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2006, 06:34 PM   #11
Rivet Master
 
wkerfoot's Avatar
 
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange , California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,849
Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster
This is what you need to do the install you are talking about. A manual transfer switch will allow inlet current from only one source at a time...be it the inverter or shore power. These are common on any RV that has a gen-set so that the generator current can't collide with the shore power, it's one or the other.

If you want to be totally certain that you will never have any of these scenarios, why don't you simply dedicate an outlet or two to the inverter ONLY. This way they will be dead when hooked to shore power and will be hot ONLY when you are using the inverter. No feedback, no connection to the 120VAC trailer wiring, NO PROBLEMS!
Lew,

That is exactly what I was considering when rewiring the 1954 Liner. Someone else thinks the same as me, scary.

Bill
__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA

https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
wkerfoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2006, 06:58 AM   #12
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
2 Great Minds

Hey Bill,

I hear ya'! There are probably a bunch of members who think alike around here. Seem to be 'many' great minds on this forum!
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
lewster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2006, 05:46 PM   #13
3 Rivet Member
 
Streamin 65's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
Columbus , Ohio
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 180
Images: 14
Inverter near installed.... new battery suggestions?

After quite a search to find the appropriate fuse for my inverter (Xantrex recommends 150 amp DC) and holder, I came across the perfect setup today at HH Gregg. They had an installation kit for a 3000 watt car audio amplifier on sale for $49. The kit consisted of 18' 1/0 AWG and 4' 1/0 AWG plus a fuse, fuse holder and some other stuff I really don't need (for now at least). The wire is larger than what Xantrex recommended (that would be 2 AWG), but what the hey, bigger is better when it comes to wire, and I got plenty to do the install for a great price. I just finished cutting the wire to legnth and tinning on the connectors. I'm adding a battery selector switch so I can have the system run off two batteries at the same time or just one at a time. Next step is to get some glass mat batteries. Anyone have an opinion for or against the optima blue top d31m? They are availaible (almost) locally. Thanks, Dave
Streamin 65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2006, 08:28 PM   #14
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
Quote:
Originally Posted by Streamin 65
After quite a search to find the appropriate fuse for my inverter (Xantrex recommends 150 amp DC) and holder, I came across the perfect setup today at HH Gregg. They had an installation kit for a 3000 watt car audio amplifier on sale for $49. The kit consisted of 18' 1/0 AWG and 4' 1/0 AWG plus a fuse, fuse holder and some other stuff I really don't need (for now at least). The wire is larger than what Xantrex recommended (that would be 2 AWG), but what the hey, bigger is better when it comes to wire, and I got plenty to do the install for a great price. I just finished cutting the wire to legnth and tinning on the connectors. I'm adding a battery selector switch so I can have the system run off two batteries at the same time or just one at a time. Next step is to get some glass mat batteries. Anyone have an opinion for or against the optima blue top d31m? They are availaible (almost) locally. Thanks, Dave
Optima's are OK but they have a limited capacity due to the shape. IMHO, the best AGM's out there are the Lifeline brand. If you really want the killer set-up, go for a couple of 6 volt Lifeline 4GC's in series. They have a better charge/discharge capacity than a 12V and will last you a long time. Better have a 3 stage charger to go with them also!!
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
lewster is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Olympic rivet removal and installation PeterH-350LE Ribs, Skins & Rivets 90 11-07-2012 01:34 PM
Experiences with Carrier Air V installation? Sojourner Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning 10 04-29-2009 07:52 AM
Inverter problem Don McKelvay Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 2 11-03-2002 05:40 AM
Broken Window Installation Charcigar Windows & Screens 2 07-30-2002 04:22 PM
Electrical System Question ViewRVs Mechanics Corner - Engines, Transmission & More... 2 03-16-2002 07:39 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:51 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.