Extra sockets /inverter?

[colyboy]

I would like to add an extra internal 13a socket and have it connected to my inverter. The problem I have that where I want to place the socket, it is about three feet from the inverter. Where the inverter is placed at the present I have to go outto turn it off and on . I would like to be able to switch off the inverter from in side the van rarther than go out side.

if I moved the inverter so that I can switch it on and off from in the van , how far can I place it away from the batteries?

colyboy

 

[Kannon Fodda]

What size inverter and what power draw at the socket?

The further from the battery the larger your cables between battery and inverter to compensate for resistance. Also means that more power may be needed from the battery simply to overcome that resistance.

Some inverters do have facility to remotely switch power on and off. I have a little Victron VE.Direct that on the rear a little loop can be replaced with a 12v switch. That's my next little job to do as I find somewhere to hide the inverter out of the way under one of my bench seats.

 

[cmcardle75]

Do not move the inverter. It should be as close to the batteries as possible. It would be better to work out how to switch it remotely. For a large load, voltage drop on 230V for, say, 5 metres is negligable. Voltage drop at 12V could be insanely high. If you had a 2kW inverter, you'd be pulling 170A. That's better done with metal bus bars or insanely thick cables. They are also very difficult to protect against short circuit. For these reasons, large inverters should be mounted right next to the battery.

If it is a little 150W portable inverter, it isn't so much of an issue.

 

[Lenny HB]

I fitted a 100 amp relay with a remote switch to my inverter, relay rating depends on the size of the inverter. The remote switch switches the 100 amp relay and another small relay that is connected to the soft start on the inverter.

 

[autorouter]

What is the make and model of the inverter? Quite a lot of them have a connection for a remote switch, which is definitely the way to go rather than moving the inverter.

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[Stealaway]

I would like to be able to switch off the inverter from in side the van rarther than go out side.

Fit one of these so it pokes through the wall of the battery cabinet.

Battery Cut Off Kill Switch Master Isolator Heavy Duty 180 Amp 12v 24v Universal | eBay

Suitable for all Vehicles 12v and 24v. Heavy Duty Battery Cut off Switch. Max load 1400Amp @12Volt for 10 seconds. Simply remove the red key todissconnect the battery. This Is A Top Quality Switch At a Very Good Price.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[colyboy]

Thanks for all your replies, now sorted.

colyboy

 

[Revolvor]

Thanks for all your replies, now sorted.

colyboy

So what did you do?

 

[XxAnthxX]

So what did you do?

Left it as it was and sent the wife to turn the inverter on...

 

[busby]

I fitted a 100 amp relay with a remote switch to my inverter, relay rating depends on the size of the inverter. The remote switch switches the 100 amp relay and another small relay that is connected to the soft start on the inverter.

Lost me already,,BUSBY

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[Lenny HB]

Lost me already,,BUSBY

No hope for you boy, I even put in simple terms, not simple enough for some people.

 

[WESTY66]

I fitted a 100 amp relay with a remote switch to my inverter, relay rating depends on the size of the inverter. The remote switch switches the 100 amp relay and another small relay that is connected to the soft start on the inverter.

I’m with you busby all I see is

Ady

 

[busby]

No hope for you boy, I even put in simple terms, not simple enough for some people.

I can just about wire up a 3 pin plug or a light switch,,would struggle with a 2 way..BUSBY..

 

[Lenny HB]

I’m with you busby all I see is
View attachment 447237
Ady

Well if you had typed it properly rather than loading it as an image I could have translated it for you.

 

[gus-lopez]

So what did you do?

You'll never know:

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[WESTY66]

Well if you had typed it properly rather than loading it as an image I could have translated it for you.

Ahh Busted

 

[mark49]

If you can get access to the switch and relative wires then you just need to mimic that switching but a bit further away, so no load on that I would guess.
Having said that, I don’t know the device you’re talking about, but it may not be as complicated as you think.

 

[rod_vw]

I have a small 300W inverter but the principal that I use would work with any size inverter with an appropriately specified relay.
I use a CBE 13A socket in which I fit a little microswitch that operates when the contact shield opens on insertion of a plug, this in turn operates a relay to connect the +ve 12v input to the inverter. I appreciate that this only works sensibly when supplying just one 240v socket but within that limitation it works well for me.
I've fitted and used this method successfully in at least three campers now.

 

[two]

So what did you do?

probably used an extension cable.