I have two 95a/h batteries that supply my 12v van system. Can i (using appropriate size cabling) run cables direct from my house batteries to the inverter which is fitted with 2 three pin outlets and an on/off switch. There would be no connection to the house circuits, other than to say i would use the same terminals at the batteries for all circuits. Would it be safe?
Your installation would be safe. However I think your batteries would get too big a flogging with that size inverter. If you are running it full chat it will draw 240 A current. Your batteries are not going to last very long.
What are going to run off the inverter?
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
I have two 95a/h batteries that supply my 12v van system. Can i (using appropriate size cabling) run cables direct from my house batteries to the inverter which is fitted with 2 three pin outlets and an on/off switch. There would be no connection to the house circuits, other than to say i would use the same terminals at the batteries for all circuits. Would it be safe?
Thanks in advance for your interest
Friar Park
Having 2 outlets on the inverter introduces the possibility of using multiple class 1 appliances concurrently, and the associated dangers involved in doing so from an isolated supply.
For maximum safety use only one class 1 device at a time or, if using more than one device, ensure they are class 2 double insulated devices.
Otherwise, as PeterD has said, be very careful of the demand that you put on your batteries.
Firstly can i say to you both PeterD and Brian Thank you for your prompt reply. Peter the most likely use for the inverter is to drive the microwave which supposedly requires 1450 watts in and delivers 900watts occasionaslly we may need to use the kettle but that would be a rarity (1800 watts).
Brian the two outlets did seem a bit over the top to me especially since both have an earthing pin inlet but i will certainly heed your warning.
Thank you both. I hope that at sometime in the future i too can be as helpful to someone out there
Friar Park
Remember that an inverter draws power even when your not using any appliances, it was explained to me by an electrician that a 1Kw inverter draws 1 amp so with the inverter your planning that size would draw 2.4 amps just being switched on without runnning any appliances. I hope you have plenty of solar to supply that size inverter.
As the others have said you can run into trouble due to it's load...
- 1 issue that you have to take into account is that no matter what size inverter you need to make sure that you fuse the cables going to the inverter..
the question you have to ask yourself is do you need such a big inverter...
2400w is an extreme size.. Which Personally I'm going to use for my system.. But then I have the Battery's to be able to run it..
the system that you described 2@95Ah batteries is only going to give you a usable load of 95Ah @ 12v.. which is tiny..
I would not be doing it with your system..
Juergen
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IF I say something Dumb.. Just Smack me..
I'm full of Knowledge.. I don't profess to know EVERYTHING, but I'm constantly Learning new thing's..
As the others have said you can run into trouble due to it's load... - 1 issue that you have to take into account is that no matter what size inverter you need to make sure that you fuse the cables goingfusing snowy entertainment..
the question you have to ask yourself is do you need such a big inverter...
2400w is an extreme size.. Which Personally I'm going to use for my system.. But then I have the Battery's to be able to run it..
the system that you described 2@95Ah batteries is only going to give you a usable load of 95Ah @ 12v.. which is tiny.. I would not be doing it with your system..
Juergen
The supply cables to the inverter would normally be kept very short, say less than 1 metre. At this length, and ensuring adequate protection of the cable, ie not running over sharp metal edges etc, and that they are adequately sized for the inverter load, then there is no need to provide fusing for those cables.
-- Edited by brian on Monday 17th of March 2014 12:53:51 PM
