What gauge wires for inverter install

[clarity6406]

Hi guys,

I posted the other day about installing an inverter / charger in my Sovereign '94. I have a couple questions-

- What gauge wire would I use for 2x NSB-AGM24M batteries and a 12V 2000W Inverter system from AIMS

- Also below are two pictures for the 12V fuse panels in the '94. Can anyone tell me what the second panel is? It has the battery disconnect wired to it and then a mysterious live blue and black cables. My father-in-law cannot trace the black and blue wires and has looked at every diagram in the manual and can't find why this second fuse exists.

Any input would be great! He is just not sure how to hook that secondary panel up.

[Al and Missy]

Can't help with the pictures except to say that blue is often the color for trailer brake wiring.

12 volt, 2000 Watts will draw 170 amps, maybe as much as 200, figuring efficiency at full load. Measure the distance between the inverter and the batteries and double it. Then use the 3% chart below to determine wire size. When in doubt, go bigger; bigger is better. I used 0ga for my boat's primary feeds.

http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdviso...e-And-Ampacity

Or Lewster might weigh in with a better idea.

Al

[Al Boondy]

Clarity,
Do the 2 red wires in the bottom of the picture go to 2 separate batteries? Could one go to umbilical? Wire on top to fuse panel?
Bottom pics looks like 3 time delayed circuit breakers connect together by that metal strip. One breaker for fuse panel, one for emergency brake switch(blue), and one for another vital item, maybe power jack.

[clarity6406]

Thanks for the replies!

Yes the two red wires went to two separate batteries from the old configuration. The red wire on top runs to the kill switch and then to the panel.

I'm surprised that the blue and black wires weren't in the wiring schematic of the trailer. We were wondering on whether just running a separate 12V from the inverter to power those wires would work.

Thanks for all the advice guys

[Al Boondy]

Ok if both the red wires go to batteries then my guess is that the other 2 are for emergency brake and power from tow vehicle. Do you have electric tongue jack?
Emergency brakes are powered there so they ALWAYS have power available even if main disconnect stops power to the rest of the trailer.

[clarity6406]

Yes we have an electric jack. Makes total sense why they would have a fail safe for brakes.

So I guess then if the batteries are wired directly into the inverter / charger and then from the charger to the 12v terminal, would you just put this separate panel in between the batteries and the inverter? Like you said, so the brakes would work as a pass through the kill switch?

Thank you!

[drairstream]

The wires around the battery switch are definitely for the brakes, so you can never turn them off when isolating the trailer from the batteries. 12 volt will be fed as it is now, The Inverter I'd rely on Lewster of the instructions that come with it. Covered many times in inverter threads.

[Al Boondy]

Well "in between" not really correct.
Think of the metal strip as a battery terminal. One circuit (thru breaker ) goes to disconnect switch, one to brake, and maybe jack or TV.
You can wire brakes directly to battery or other point and eliminate board.
Important thing is power should be uninterrupted by switch or fuse, only a breaker that automatically resets.
Are your batteries in the same location side by side? How far away is inverter/charger?

[clarity6406]

Ok, this is all good to know!

The batteries are about 2 feet apart in separate slide out compartments that nest inside the trailer. You can access them in the as well when you remove the black cover. The inverter is right in between the two and the panels are right above that. All in all it's only a 1 or 2 in between all components.

[Al and Missy]

At those distances, voltage drop not an issue, just need a wire size rated for the current. (IMO)

Al

[wulfraat]

Regarding inverter wire gauge, my 1500w pure sine wave inverter calls for 2 Gauge AWG copper cabling with a maximum length of 10 feet, connected directly to the batteries.

For a 2000W inverter, I believe you will need to go with 00 (2/0) gauge with a maximum length of 10'.

[rmatkovich]

Originally Posted by clarity6406

Hi guys,

I posted the other day about installing an inverter / charger in my Sovereign '94. I have a couple questions-

- What gauge wire would I use for 2x NSB-AGM24M batteries and a 12V 2000W Inverter system from AIMS

- Also below are two pictures for the 12V fuse panels in the '94. Can anyone tell me what the second panel is? It has the battery disconnect wired to it and then a mysterious live blue and black cables. My father-in-law cannot trace the black and blue wires and has looked at every diagram in the manual and can't find why this second fuse exists.

Any input would be great! He is just not sure how to hook that secondary panel up.

U need to find out what lanth u R from the batteries to the inverter. Thos is out of my Magnum install book.
150 AMP 200 AMP 250 AMP
1'-3- 2/0 AWG 2/0 AWG 4/0 AWG

3'-5' 4/0 AWG 4/0 AWG 4/0 AWG

5'/10' """""""" """""""""" """""""""

There u have it out of the manual.
Jim















2/0 AWG

[clarity6406]

Awesome. We are running a AIMS 12V 2000W inverter from 1-3 feet, so most likely the 2/0. Will do measurements for exact though.


Thanks for all the input!

[Zil]

You need to run the cables for the inverter directly to the battery. Put a large fuse at the battery. I have about a 4 foot run. I use 2/0 cable, and have a 300 amp fuse. Everything works very well. I used a garden hose to determine the routing and length. This is the place to get your cables. http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-c...sembly?size=48

[clarity6406]

Thanks for the tip on cables!