Hard wiring a power inverter

[dano85]

Hey guys I just purchased a 600w inverter from aldi it was only $59 so I thought I would give it a try. I would like to hard wire it with a relay and switch but the data sheet supplied with it is confusing I would like no know what size wiring and fuse size would be required as nothing states an amp rating, hear is a pick, any help would be appreciated
Cheers
Dano.

[TDog]

According to the specs there it has 2 x 35 AMP DC fuses internally. So that will protect your DC input.

It all depends on what you are going to use the 240V output for?

[dano85]

Not sure on what I will use it to power, most probably just charging my laptop and cordless tool battery's, or what ever I can, nothing to powerful. The fusses are inbuilt (under the casing) so I just want to run a decent cable and fuse-switch set up so it is safe if it short circuits on corrugated roads or something are there any calculations I can do to work it out from the info on the data sheet?

[banksy]

Be warned modified sine wave isn’t the best for recharging batteries [it kills them]
Pure sine wave is better [and more expensive]

[fgk228]

To work out AMPs from Watts it is Watts/volts = amps.

600/12= 50

50amps.

Surge is 100amps. however I think it will only draw 50amps from the battery.

Unless you want to switch the inverter you dont need a relay. It will be quite expensive to find a relay that will take 100amps. Does the inverter have a switch on it?

YOU NEED TO PUT A FUSE AS CLOSE TO THE BATTERY AS YOU CAN in case there is a short in the wires before the inverter with the fuses other wise you have a massive risk of setting your car on fire.

[dano85]

To work out AMPs from Watts it is Watts/volts = amps.

600/12= 50

50amps.

Surge is 100amps. however I think it will only draw 50amps from the battery.

Unless you want to switch the inverter you dont need a relay. It will be quite expensive to find a relay that will take 100amps. Does the inverter have a switch on it?

YOU NEED TO PUT A FUSE AS CLOSE TO THE BATTERY AS YOU CAN in case there is a short in the wires before the inverter with the fuses other wise you have a massive risk of setting your car on fire.

Thanks for that, very helpful.
The inverter has a switch on it but the only reason I wanted to have a switch was because i would like to isolate it because I was worried about the inverter getting wet in a botched water crossing causing electrocution, is that a possibility with inverters?

[fgk228]

I wonldn't bother mate. I would think that the computer chips would sh-it themselves before the contuied working not to mention it is fused protected on the dc side and has a shut of feature when shorted.

My inverter is on the floor of my car and it is only has a circuit breaker on the dc side.

Mate I would just a 55 or 60 amp circuit breaker as close to the battery and Dual core 6mm wire
(rated to 50amp).

[VMN]

The plate says it is about 80% efficient and can deliver 600 watts. So it will draw 600/0.8 = 750 watts

Therefore your wiring needs to handle 750 watts
Divide 750 by 12 volts and you get 62.5 amps draw (hence the two 35 amp fuses?).

I would wire it up to the same spec as if it was a dual battery and use B&S6 cable with a 100 amp solenoid relay on the input side.

Mine is only 300 watt and I switch the input with a 30 amp relay. I only turn it on when it is in use. This is important as they draw power even with no appliance plugged in.

[dano85]

The plate says it is about 80% efficient and can deliver 600 watts. So it will draw 600/0.8 = 750 watts

Therefore your wiring needs to handle 750 watts
Divide 750 by 12 volts and you get 62.5 amps draw (hence the two 35 amp fuses?).

I would wire it up to the same spec as if it was a dual battery and use B&S6 cable with a 100 amp solenoid relay on the input side.

Mine is only 300 watt and I switch the input with a 30 amp relay. I only turn it on when it is in use. This is important as they draw power even with no appliance plugged in.

I'll look into a big solenoid, thanks for the info!

[cuzo4x4]

I have a 300 watt sitting on the bench and look at and go how the hell am i going to wire that up,

Grate info, am I confident to have a crack at it - are not yet

[wyworrie]

I ran a huge cable (25mm2) back to the tub with a 50A fuse directly onto the battery. This supplies a fuse distribution block at the back for fridge, inverter, Anderson plug and a couple of cig. lighter outlets. This was simple, cheap and effective.