3000w inverter and wiring (1 Viewer)

[Richgj]

i I have a 300w inverter which I have wired in following JeaN Luc's great description on how to wire an inverter.

I have been given a 3000w inverter and had foolishly assumed I could just swap it over but the cables on the 3000w look huge and I'm wondering if it needs earthing as well. I haven't been given any instructions. My current inverter is less than a metre from my batteryand I would be looking to site this one in the same place as the exisitng inverter.

I also have a 90 watt solar panel which puts a charge back in the battery for when we are running off just the battery.

Any advice would gratefully be taken on board. Rich

 

[scotjimland]

A 3000 watt inverter pulls 250A on full load (3000/12v )

for a 1mt cable run the recommended cable size is 70 sq mm

If the inverter has an earth bolt or connector bond to the van ..

 

[JeanLuc]

As Scotjimland says - proceed with great caution. A number of thoughts:
1. Monster cables required
2. have you sufficient battery capacity? A 3 kw inverter at full belt will flatten 2x110 Ah batteries in a few minutes.
3. You need a relay capable of handling 250 amps plus.
4. A 3 kw inverter will generate some heat - is the proposed location well-ventilated?
5. Do you really need 3 kw capacity or do you just want a bit more than 300W and happen to have this monster available? If so, buy the size you really need - under-running a big inverter is inefficient as they draw a larger quiescent current than you could get away with.
6. If such a large inverter is not installed absolutely correctly, there is a serious risk of creating a fire hazard.

More knowledgable members may post other opinions on this matter, but I would not feel too confident to proceed.

p.s. many thanks for the kind comments in your previous post.

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[Wildman]

the 3000watt inverter will give you the ability to drain the battery in a few mins literally. If you have no idea how to wire it and sizes to use I would suggest you also don't have the knowledge to save you from cooking the batteries ( how many do you have by the way). Not being funny but 300W is sufficient to run a TV, laptop, chargers etc with a very low sandby power consumption. a 3KW job on the otherhand will consume a few amps even when not being used. Do you really need it. I know it sounds a great idea and some people do have them fitted. But they do require specialist knowledge to use in safety. I would offer to take it off your hands but have no use for such a beast so no axe to grind.:Blush:

 

[hilldweller]

I have been given a 3000w inverter

Ye gods, who hates you that much ?

 

[aba]

if its not a pure sine wave one throw it in the bin or use it as a ground anchor if you get stuck in the mud somewhere.

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[Richgj]

Thanks everyone I think I will stick with what I have this seemed like a good idea as it was a freeby a bit more power would be nice but we have managed as we are and I see no reason to rush into changing what I have. I'll see if I can sell it and split the proceeds with the person who gave it to me.

 

[vwalan]

hi, not had a 3000w invertor . but use a 2000w inverter almost constant.
it came with two live feeds and two negative feeds . the cable supplied with it.
just connected them into the battery bank.
it stays on most of the time . when away it handles the 240v fridge and various other things .
at home i park next to the house . run an extention lead from the inverter into the house . keeps the fridhge in the house running . when its sunny i plug the big deep freeze from the house in as well.
its just a cheap ring modified sine wave.
yes have more p[anels and a big bank of batteries . the sine wave bit ,i have only found one fridge that it wont work. luckily it was a mates . but i,m happy with it been running it for about 5yrs now. best 139 quid i could have spent.