| Author |
Message |
Leslie Robinson (24.80.53.147)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2002 - 9:36 pm: | |
what gauge wire is required for a 15 foot run, to a 1500 watt 12 volt inverter
thanks in advance
Les R |
Jeff Miller (205.231.95.13)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2002 - 11:24 pm: | |
I would use # 00 or larger, be sure to twist the wires around each other for as far as possible. Larger wiring would be better, but there are limitations to the terminals where you have to attach the cables. I am assuming that your inverter has a peak capacity of around 2400watts which is 200amps@12vdc. |
Stephen Fessenden (Sffess) (63.27.88.192)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2002 - 11:34 pm: | |
For 15 ft at at 12 volts 1500 watts 85% efficiency 3% voltage drop: Minimum 1/0 but that is cutting it very close. Better 2/0 to allow for surges. You are going to run welding wire for flexibility, aren't you?
You might consider running 4/0 to allow later upgrade to a larger inverter without running new wire.
Welding wire prices will probably be best at an electric supply house. You may have to wait a day or two for them to order it in for you. Try several supply houses. I have found huge price differences for welding wire.
You can go to:
https://www.altenergystore.com/cart/university/seminars/misc/wiresizing.html?rISsyqYt;
and do your own calculations.
Steve Fessenden |
Stephen Fessenden (Sffess) (63.27.88.192)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2002 - 11:44 pm: | |
OOps. Miscalculation. You need 2/0 Minimum. If you allow for surge Amps you need 4/0. 4/0 will give you only a 1% voltage drop at full power.
Steve Fessenden |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (12.146.32.251)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2002 - 12:13 am: | |
Les, isn't 15 foot beyond the maximum distance listed in the inverter maker's installation instructions? I don't have my booklet here now, but there were some pretty stiff warnings about the length of the wire.
What I'm remembering is that there is a flyback effect created besides the voltage drop if you are working with a modified sine wave inverter. I don't know if that is a problem with the sine wave inverters.
It might be something to check before you proceed.
We're getting ready to install a larger inverter, and I have to deal with some of those problems, too.
We'll be mounting our inverter in the generator compartment which is next to the house battery compartment on our coach, if I don't run into any other problems. Besides, the AC wiring is a lot less difficult to run than those big cables.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 |