Inverters

 
 
 
 
 
 
Ally
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Inverters

 ·  Posted: 07.08.2020  ·  #1
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Inveeters

 ·  Posted: 07.08.2020  ·  #2
I have a small 800 that was in the van when i bought it would the same wiring suit that 2500
the fat controller
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 07.08.2020  ·  #3
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Inverters

 ·  Posted: 07.08.2020  ·  #4
I would need to get an auto electrician to do that i thought i could just swap them over
Thanks
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 07.08.2020  ·  #5
What is the overall diameter of the cable (over the top of the PVC sheath)?

Is the cable multi strand copper (100 or more strands)?

How far from the battery to the inverter?
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Inverter

 ·  Posted: 08.08.2020  ·  #6
Its a 12v dc/240v inverter situated just outside the battery compartment two wires going to the battery the cable is 6.4 mm in diameter i don't know if the inverter Ally displayed would fit in the same place or would have to be located elsewhere in the van
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 08.08.2020  ·  #7
Without any further details the cable you specify at 6.4mm OD is likely a 6mm2 or possibly a 10mm2. Both of these are much too small for a 2500W inverter. You will need something like 50mm2 or 70mm2 dependant on the cable specification and run length. You will also need a fuse rated at 200/250amps. For cables of this size they need to be terminated using hydraulically compressed terminals to ensure a good connection.
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Inverters

 ·  Posted: 09.08.2020  ·  #8
Thanks for thst
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 30.09.2020  ·  #9
Question for those with inverters. Is the inverter hard wired to a socket or do you use a cable from the rear of the socket and plug it into the inverter. About 30 years ago when I had an inverter it was hardwired to two separate sockets
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 30.09.2020  ·  #10
Quote by TommyS

Question for those with inverters. Is the inverter hard wired to a socket or do you use a cable from the rear of the socket and plug it into the inverter. About 30 years ago when I had an inverter it was hardwired to two separate sockets

My inverter whenever switched on provides power to all sockets in my van. Installed by Vanbitz Somerset not cheap over €1000 all in but.... last one in previous van had a double socket from inverter in kitchen area
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 30.09.2020  ·  #11
Quote by TommyS

Question for those with inverters. Is the inverter hard wired to a socket or do you use a cable from the rear of the socket and plug it into the inverter. About 30 years ago when I had an inverter it was hardwired to two separate sockets


All sockets powered in my van via the inverter. Isolated and wired via a crossover switch. More modern vans may require a fridge 240 v isolation to prevent it running on inverter sourced power.
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 30.09.2020  ·  #12
Mine was left in place from its days of driving the air con.... before my time. I wired it to a cube socket and pull it in via a relay through a spare switch on the control panel. Relay was needed as all the controller switches were giving 12 volts. No 0v contact. Works fine for us, as we only use toaster and hairdryer from it
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 01.10.2020  ·  #13
My setup provides power to the socket ring from either the ehu or inverter. There are no separate sockets specific to the inverter.
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Inverters

 ·  Posted: 01.10.2020  ·  #14
Quote by baguette

My setup provides power to the socket ring from either the ehu or inverter. There are no separate sockets specific to the inverter.


Colin.
Have you any protection to stop the 220v back feeding the inverter other then you remembering to switch off the inverter before you plug in EHU?
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 01.10.2020  ·  #15
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 01.10.2020  ·  #16
Quote by sprinter

Quote by baguette

My setup provides power to the socket ring from either the ehu or inverter. There are no separate sockets specific to the inverter.


Colin.
Have you any protection to stop the 220v back feeding the inverter other then you remembering to switch off the inverter before you plug in EHU?


I have modified circuitry on my motorhome as set out below, it's simple and it has worked a treat for years.
I have one socket running off the MCB.
I have the inverter next to that socket. If that is not practical a single socket extension from the inverter can be made to the same location of the socket from the MCB
I have a regular 13A plug on the end of the cable serving the socket ring circuit which I plug into either the inverter or the socket from the MCB.
When on ehu I put the plug into the socket from the MCB
When not on ehu I put the plug into the inverter socket
There is no connection between ehu power supply and mains power supply to facilitate any kind of cross over or back feed.

Bear in mind that at any time the total max load available to run through the plug on the end of the socket ring circuit would not overload the plug (which is fused anyway) because I've never seen an ehu rated more than 10A.

I HAVE NO ELECTRICAL QUALIFICATIONS SO IF YOU DECIDE TO FOLLOW ANY OF THE ABOVE IT IS AT YOUR OWN PERIL
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 01.10.2020  ·  #17
Makes sense to me
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 10.03.2021  ·  #18
;)
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 11.03.2021  ·  #19
OK so take pity on me
I have read loads of threads on Inverters and apart from charging my Laptop why would I need one.
I got around the Laptop issue by getting a 10" Chromebook which charges on 12v.
Two Kettles one Electric and one gas, TV is 12v heating and fridge too 12v hungry so run on gas so why do I need to spend a load of dosh on an inverter. 12v comes from two batteries and a 100w solar panel I suppose I could add another of these if there is really a really,really good reason I cannot live without one.

Go gentle with me I am a broken old buggr but cannot see why I need one so persuade me, as it would give me something to do because like every body else who cant go for walks I get totally pi**ed off at times.
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 11.03.2021  ·  #20
Heanorboy I have just bit the bullet and ordered a 2500w inverter. I see it being used to power the missus hair dryer when I cannot use my generator
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 11.03.2021  ·  #21
Quote by TommyS

Heanorboy I have just bit the bullet and ordered a 2500w inverter. I see it being used to power the missus hair dryer when I cannot use my generator


It's a good idea to start the engine a minute or two before using one that big, it just takes the strain off the battery
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 11.03.2021  ·  #22
Heanorboy I've had a 150w sine wave inverter for a few years and used it to power the TV (mains unit a fraction of the cost of a 12v unit), the Sky box, the laptop and a few gizmo chargers.
Having 2 X 110a/h deep cycle batteries and 200w of solar I've recently upgraded to a 1500w to power the microwave, toaster, coffee maker and Mrs B's hairdryer, and the 1000w camping kettle when the sun shines.
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 11.03.2021  ·  #23
Or I could turn on the generator to put extra power to the batteries :P
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 11.03.2021  ·  #24
Quote by baguette

Heanorboy I've had a 150w sine wave inverter for a few years and used it to power the TV (mains unit a fraction of the cost of a 12v unit), the Sky box, the laptop and a few gizmo chargers.
Having 2 X 110a/h deep cycle batteries and 200w of solar I've recently upgraded to a 1500w to power the microwave, toaster, coffee maker and Mrs B's hairdryer, and the 1000w camping kettle when the sun shines.


In my small PVC there is definitely no room for a microwave, funny enough I did ask Wildax before I bought the van and they said it was not possible, storage wise where to put it traveling would also be a problem. TV is a Avtex, happy with Nescafe instant and my Mrs B never uses a Hairdryer. Toast under gas grill and kettle .on the stove unless on mains.
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 13.03.2021  ·  #25
Ok question for the Teccies. With a 2500 watt inverter what size of cable do I need to attach it to the batteries and what size of inlined fuse. I'm thinking 200 amp fuse. Also as I have 2 x 110 amp leisure batteries wired in parallel do I need to upgrade the cable that connects the 2 batteries. I know that I need to wire the plus of the inverter to one battery and the negative to the other. Anything else I should think about?

Simples please
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 13.03.2021  ·  #26
Quote by TommyS

Ok question for the Teccies. With a 2500 watt inverter what size of cable do I need to attach it to the batteries and what size of inlined fuse. I'm thinking 200 amp fuse. Also as I have 2 x 110 amp leisure batteries wired in parallel do I need to upgrade the cable that connects the 2 batteries. I know that I need to wire the plus of the inverter to one battery and the negative to the other. Anything else I should think about?

Simples please


A few things first.
What is the distance of the cable run from the batteries to the inverter, this determines what size of cable is required.
A 2500 watt inverter could pull over 400 amps so he fuze needs to have at least that rating.
Pulling 400 amps, even from 2X100 ah batteries will decimate them in short order.
Ideally an inverter should be rated at about half of the battery capacity
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 13.03.2021  ·  #27
Is the inverter rated at 2500 watt continuously or 2500 watt intermittent. If so what is the continuous rating
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 13.03.2021  ·  #28
The cable distance will be about 50cm. The cables supplied are slightly smaller than a sharpie pen. The inverter itself is 2500/5000 watt and i dont know which one is the continuous reading
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 13.03.2021  ·  #29
2500 watt continuous. The current delivered at that wattage would be closer to 200 Amp.
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 13.03.2021  ·  #30
Quote by TommyS

The cable distance will be about 50cm. The cables supplied are slightly smaller than a sharpie pen. The inverter itself is 2500/5000 watt and i dont know which one is the continuous reading


First, make sure you are measuring the required cable length based on the correct connecting method SEE HERE

Assuming the total cable run, from battery A to Battery B and on to the inverter is 1m, for the power draw of 200 amps (2,400 watts) you need a 35mm² cable SEE HERE to minimise the voltage drop.
The higher figure 5000 watt is the surge current the unit can handle and that's usually for a second or two while a load is starting up and shouldn't have any effect on the wire which would be handling the 2500 watt load during normal maximum load operation.

Incidentally, what are you planning to use the inverter to power?
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 13.03.2021  ·  #31
A low wattage microwave, kettle, hair dryer and straighteners
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 13.03.2021  ·  #32
Quote by TommyS

A low wattage microwave, kettle, hair dryer and straighteners


Is the inverter a pure sine wave or a modified version?
Electronics like microwave ovens and hair dryers and straighteners don't work properly on modified (quasi) sine wave units.
What is the wattage of the kettle, is it a low watt (1000w) camping version or a full-blown 2,200w domestic one.
The same question about the hairdryer is it a low watt (1000w)travel one or a 2,300w domestic version.
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 13.03.2021  ·  #33
Kettle 1200
Hair dryer 1400
Microwave 600
Its pure sine wave.
I had an inverter in a van about 30 years ago and it was just wired to a single leisure battery it was able to boil a domestic kettle run a microwave and a TV and video
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 13.03.2021  ·  #34
Quote by TommyS

Kettle 1200
Hair dryer 1400
Microwave 600
Its pure sine wave.
I had an inverter in a van about 30 years ago and it was just wired to a single leisure battery it was able to boil a domestic kettle run a microwave and a TV and video


I’d say you will manage it alright Tommy 🤣
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 13.03.2021  ·  #35
Quote by TommyS

Kettle 1200
Hair dryer 1400
Microwave 600
Its pure sine wave.
I had an inverter in a van about 30 years ago and it was just wired to a single leisure battery it was able to boil a domestic kettle run a microwave and a TV and video


Just be aware that a microwave oven with a cooking power of 600 watts represents about a1000 watt load on the supply side
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 13.03.2021  ·  #36
Quote by TommyS

Kettle 1200
Hair dryer 1400
Microwave 600
Its pure sine wave.
I had an inverter in a van about 30 years ago and it was just wired to a single leisure battery it was able to boil a domestic kettle run a microwave and a TV and video


You will only be able to run one of these at the same time from your 2500 watt inverter
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 14.03.2021  ·  #37
Gas for cooking, tv 12v forget hair driers and use a towel, charging laptops can be done with a 12v to 19v etc with a cigy plug in unit, m/waves use so much you would require a large bank of batteries or lithum ones for a fast discharge and recharge.
I have a small 600w smart soft start inverter for my half size fridge which uses 1/4 amp when on, the inverter goes into a standbuy sleep when not required, i also have a second one up front at the electrics box which runs a mains plug for a 400w fan heater to get legs warm first start in winter before the van heater takes over, so not run more than 15 mins when driving, i have 2 90ah batts and 200w solar running through a mppt duel regulator, not a lot of use in winter, dont see the point in monster inverters as you would require a bus full of batteries.
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 15.03.2021  ·  #38
Roadrunner, would you like to ring my missus and tell her that she can't use her hair dryer. I would suggest you call from an unlisted number because she will track you down
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 16.03.2021  ·  #39
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Re: Inverters

 ·  Posted: 16.03.2021  ·  #40
Personally I would go for a 150watt unit to cover small load stuff like the tv, sat box, chargers etc. or a 1500watt unit to cover low watt kettle, toaster, coffee machine, microwave oven etc.
A 1000watt unit is away over the top for the light stuff and a bit tight for the heavier stuff.
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