INSTALLING A POWER INVERTER (Pictures)

Any thoughts on hooking the inverter up to the batteries for my night system? It's a four battery system, but one of our mechanics advised against it due to being hard on the batteries.

 

Quick question, what size fuse would I need for a 1500 watt inverter between the battery and inverter? Are there fuses that can just connect somehow to the battery terminal then run my cables to it? That way I don't have to cut the cable in the middle and install a fuse there in between. I could do that, I just don't want to cut my cables, they're too perrty, and all my electrical tools are at home.

 

The proper fuse rating will be listed in your inverter's manual, and likely on the inverter itself. If you haven't purchased your inverter yet, you can usually find the manual online.

And yes, there are fuse blocks that do bolt directly to the battery terminal.

The fact that you're asking these questions tells me that you may be better off having your inverter professionally installed. There are far too many truck fires each year from improperly installed inverters. Currents in the hundreds of Amperes can be dangerous, and a resistance of a fraction of an Ohm can mean the difference of the inverter putting out full power or not.

 

science is great 70 amps per 1kw there is a difference between 1000w Rms and Peak. always refer to Rms rating and up your fuse 10% you can get a circuit breaker instead of a fuse (great if you ever do "pop" the fuse) check for car audio fuses

1500w RMS should be 100-120 amps

it is suggested to install your fuse/circuit breaker within 1 foot of the battery terminal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/281328667322?lpid=82 this is a mounted 12/24 volt 120amp resetting self testing circuit breaker.

 

I've found the absolute BEST way to do this is to use a Halex cable clamp.. this takes a little more effort but I have lost no sleep worrying about the possibility of my truck burning down because of a short..If you take your time and either punch or drill your hole carefully.. this will thread into the hole and then you cinch down on the cable with the screws... done..

 

One other thought.. you HAVE to clean all battery connections & jumpers ... place your hook-up on a middle battery in your bank,... if not you will find yourself boiling electrolite out of the battery you connect to.. High wattage inverters pull HUGE amounts of current (I've got a 5K).. If regular battery maintenance is not something your into.. I'd advise skipping anything other than a small cigg plug model.. I've even considered making-up a hook-up harness for mine...

 

Lots of great ideas and information here - maybe I will try putting in an inverter myself! There is also black, usually, ribbed tubing that could possibly be used as a conduit; it would seem that this would be good for keeping road grit/salt out/off of the inverter power cables.

 

It's called split loom tubing, and is available at most hardware stores, among other places.

Unless you own your truck (you hold the title), you will probably need to have it professionally installed. Lots of trucks have burned to the frame because of improperly installed inverters.

 

Ms. Jamie, Your advice about the professional installation is well taken, especially as that was my first thought. Of course, that brought up the question of who/where is to be approached for a professional installation.
And, thanks for putting a name to the animal (split loom tubing); I hate saying "that black tubing stuff" or "that conduit thingy". It sounds so girly!

 

If you are a company driver, then there is a 99% chance that your company's shop has to be the ones to do the work.

If you lease a truck, your lease will tell you where you need to go to get such work done.

If you are an independent owner (your name is on the title), then I'd first check with the manufacturer's repair shop.