Power inverter to battery hook-up

kikboxr1

Founding Member

Jun 23, 2000

289

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16

Atlanta, GA

Nov 1, 2004

#1

• Nov 1, 2004

• #1

I picked up a 400W power inverter today.I want to wire it straight to the battery. It has a built in 40 amp fuse. What size (gauge) of wire should I use to connect to the battery, and what size (amps) of a fuse should I put in the power wire?
I was thinking of using 8ga. wire with a 60amp AGU fuse/fuseholder. Would that suffice?

 

shttygtstang

New Member

Jun 2, 2004

978

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0

Nov 1, 2004

#2

• Nov 1, 2004

• #2

youll kill your battrie slowly having a strain on it all the time y not go from the key on position under the dash

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

34

129

Nov 1, 2004

#3

• Nov 1, 2004

• #3

i take it the invertor is only 'on' when something is hooked up to it. i would NOT hook it up to an existing circuit, as suggested.

how long a run of wire do you need to run? that will affect the AWG you choose.

good luck.

 

kikboxr1

Founding Member

Jun 23, 2000

289

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16

Atlanta, GA

Nov 1, 2004

#4

• Nov 1, 2004

• #4

The unit has an on/off switch that will prevent it from draining the battery. Now if I go off and forget to switch it off, then I am screwed. But I don't think that will be a problem. The length of wire I need will be about 5 feet or so.

 

hllon4whls

BANNED

Founding Member

Jan 17, 2002

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Covington

Nov 1, 2004

#5

• Nov 1, 2004

• #5

It looks that 8 gauge is good for 40 amps. 5 feet is a reasonable distance.

Even though we beat this to death, might be time for a 3g upgrade. If you assume 30amps load, that is a good chunk of your alternator's capacity.

What do you need an inverter for?