[Longboard]

The instructions tell you what gauge wire to use for a given length.
Internally there are six thirty amp fuses .
I want to test it and maybe use a little bit before I do a real install.
Do I have to fuse it at the connection to the battery or do the internal ones protect everything?
What type of local common source would have short cables with a good usable connector , maybe a marine supply? Or would Auto supply have decent ones ?

 

[orton]

The instructions tell you what gauge wire to use for a given length.
Internally there are six thirty amp fuses .
I want to test it and maybe use a little bit before I do a real install.
Do I have to fuse it at the connection to the battery or do the internal ones protect everything?
What type of local common source would have short cables with a good usable connector , maybe a marine supply? Or would Auto supply have decent ones ?

Connect it to what? Vehicle batteries or house batteries? I am not an expert but I would be afraid to connect that large an inverter to the vehicle. I would have a single type "T" fuse at the rating recommended by the inverter manufacturer and then a on/off battery switch between batteries and inverter.

I have my local Interstate Battery store make my cables. Use a rope cut to the desired length as a sample with a piece of tape at each end stating the terminal size wanted and a piece of tape in the center stating the gauge and color.

 

[Longboard]

Connect it to what? Vehicle batteries or house batteries? I am not an expert but I would be afraid to connect that large an inverter to the vehicle. I would have a single type "T" fuse at the rating recommended by the inverter manufacturer and then a on/off battery switch between batteries and inverter.

I have my local Interstate Battery store make my cables. Use a rope cut to the desired length as a sample with a piece of tape at each end stating the terminal size wanted and a piece of tape in the center stating the gauge and color.

Vehicles dual AGMs, same as you and your 1000. If I don't use anything greater than 1000 watts it ahould be no different than what you're doing, right? What are the terminal sizes for our batteries?

 

[orton]

Vehicles dual AGMs, same as you and your 1000. If I don't use anything greater than 1000 watts it ahould be no different than what you're doing, right? What are the terminal sizes for our batteries?

I am not even sure the 1000 watt will work. If you look at the alternator output graph on page 83 of BEMM for 230 A alternator, the alternator needs to run above 2000 rpm to produce 160 amps. 14 volts x 160 amps = 2240 watts. From that you have to deduct what the Transit is using.
Unfortunately the graph states alternator rpm not engine rpm. I measured the EB engine drive pulley at about 7" dia. and the alternator driven pulley at about 2" so engine would need to run at 2000 x 2/7 = 572 rpm for the 2240 watts. That is about where my EB engine idles when warm.
My observation that there may be an electric heater to quickly give warm air for heating the cab would take a lot of amps. (My Sprinter had a electric air heater)
A lot of unknowns about what watts are actually available to run an inverter until someone actually measures the alternator output. You could run down the batteries with a high inverter load at idle. The batteries would supply the extra energy for a time if the alternator output was less than the inverter power requirement.
I will use the three 60 amp terminals at the left rear of the drivers seat pedestal. Those can be easily measured. I will run three cables to a bus bar and then one cable from bus bar to the inverter with a 150 amp class T fuse and a battery disconnect switch between the bus bar and the 1000 watt inverter. Apparently there is also a stud on the positive terminal on the second battery that could be used.

 

[Brad]

>>> Do I have to fuse it at the connection to the battery or do the internal ones protect everything?

The purpose of an external fuse is to protect the wire leading to your inverter and ultimately fire risk should your circuit develop a short. Ideally, it should be connected as close as possible to the battery. If you're going to connect to the battery stud, this is a great solution:

After the fuse you might want a switch to be able to switch the circuit off/on. Base your wire size selection on two factors, wire ampacity, and the amount of voltage drop (from 12 volts, and based on wire length) your inverter can tolerate. Most inverters have an input low voltage threshold that will turn off the inverter. Too much voltage drop can cause your inverter to switch off.

>>> What type of local common source would have short cables with a good usable connector , maybe a marine supply

Marine supply stores, such as West Marine, will have what you need. Ancor cable is excellent, though pricey because it is tinned for marine use and overkill. They make excellent terminals, as well. Home Depot and Lowes sells 0 gauge wire, another option though it doesn't have as many strands and is more stiff.

 

[Donross]

Your 1500watts inverter will pull 125 amps out of your batteries.250 amps pull for you 3000 watts.

I have 400 amps fuses on my 5000 watts inverter on the positive cable out of each batteries.those cable go thrue a marine selector switch rated at 600. Amps.i will not use the 5000 watts at more than 75% of it load.

I recharge the batteries via a 300 watts inverter that is connect to the 20amp utility breakers in the van.it will supply a 7200mah 110 charger (150 watts). Not very effivient but very safe.the double portable batteries power inverter unit is rool in and our of the van.

Donross

 

[Desi]

It's important to understand the Load you are using not the inverter size you are installing. You can install a 5000w inverter but if you only hook up a load of 200watts it will not draw 5000w from the inverter.
I think if you calculate your full load and add 20% you will have a better ideal as to your Inverters characteristics about how it will be loading against the vehicles electrical system.

 

[Longboard]

A lot to think about, good thing I'm in no real hurry. My AC use via invertor will be very sporadic, and only for short duration. Just a convenience I will use occasionally.
The fused terminal looks like a nice simple solution, and the switch is of course a good idea. I'll keep everything in mind, thanks guys!