teejnut
SILVER Star
8awg for 40A is fine for up to 10ft. 10awg is only good up to 30A for 0-10ft
Based on Blue Sea's chart here: https://d2pyqm2yd3fw2i.cloudfront.net/files/resources/reference/20010.pdf
SQOD Squad - Stupid Question Of the Day (6 Viewers)
- Thread starter JamesC
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Based on Blue Sea's chart here: https://d2pyqm2yd3fw2i.cloudfront.net/files/resources/reference/20010.pdf
teejnut
SILVER Star
Would be interested in what you find for a recommended pure sine wave inverter.
UPR LC
GOLD Star
Part 1: Choosing the Correct Wire Size for a DC Circuit - Blue Sea Systems
Engineering high quality marine electrical components for safety, reliability and performance
www.bluesea.com
If the above link doesn't work, google "Bluesea Wire Chart" and there is a great DIY and chart for selecting wire size based on amps. Just remember that the length of the circuit includes both positive and negative cable lengths, so if you are running a circuit to and from the battery (non-local ground) then you double the cable length to determine wire size.
UPR LC
GOLD Star
PROwatt SW
Powering your trips with the PROwatt SW Dimensions PROwatt SW 600 PROwatt SW 1000 PROwatt SW 2000
www.xantrex.com
I use a xantrex sw 1000W inverter, works well for me.
If you find a good local body ground then return path has less impact on length since it’s like running an absurdly large gauge wire for the negative. Now if you’re running an 8ga negative wire all the way back to the battery that’s a different storyPart 1: Choosing the Correct Wire Size for a DC Circuit - Blue Sea Systems
Engineering high quality marine electrical components for safety, reliability and performance
If the above link doesn't work, google "Bluesea Wire Chart" and there is a great DIY and chart for selecting wire size based on amps. Just remember that the length of the circuit includes both positive and negative cable lengths, so if you are running a circuit to and from the battery (non-local ground) then you double the cable length to determine wire size.
UPR LC
GOLD Star
Totally agree!
CharlieS
GOLD Star
Not sure if the above feedback is related to my inverter question, but I have a big wire (at least 6 guage, maybe 4, I can't recall) and am grounded to the factory ground at the D-pillar (not a return line to the battery). I have that blue sea wire chart and their fuse chart printed and in my tool box and use both regularly.
UPR LC
GOLD Star
I came into the conversation in the middle, so not really speaking to specific people's setups, just providing info for the board, as I just went through this wiring my rig.
UPR LC
GOLD Star
Just a general note for inverters. Be sure to read the owners manual of the inverter before you start your wiring. The 1000W Xantrex inverter I linked above, it is 900W continuous duty but it has surge capacity of 2000W. The literature recommends a 150A DC fuse/breaker to feed the inverter. Xantrex recommends 0 gauge cabling less than 6 feet between inverter and battery.
This is just an example, just a word of caution to not size cable based on the advertised inverter size, read the fine print.
This is just an example, just a word of caution to not size cable based on the advertised inverter size, read the fine print.
With 6ga you should be able to easily run a 60A circuit. Rule of thumb is 80% load so 48A x 12V = ~600W continuous. Using the body ground will allow you to use a slightly smaller gauge when calculating the round trip (i.e. in the above chart you'd need 4ga wire round trip to do 60A @ 15' but I believe you only need 6ga for 60A @ 10' with the body as a ground instead of a tiny wire). I'm not entirely sure the math for the return path though
CharlieS
GOLD Star
I was thinking for $50 or so, I might do this project, but the ones I looked at from the above links are significantly more costly. I'll probably either just buy the Makita 12v charger, or just leave the battery tools at home. At this time, I don't have any other need for household current so an inverter is probably overkill.
A Renogy pure sine wave inverter is ~$125. Amazon product ASIN B07JMW8MMR
AIMS makes one that isn't pure sine wave that's $80. AIMS Power 800 Watt Power Inverter with Cables, PWRINV800W - https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/800-watt-power-inverter-with-cables-pwrinv800w?ref=
I'd go with a pure sine wave inverter though.
AIMS makes one that isn't pure sine wave that's $80. AIMS Power 800 Watt Power Inverter with Cables, PWRINV800W - https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/800-watt-power-inverter-with-cables-pwrinv800w?ref=
I'd go with a pure sine wave inverter though.
Prior to installing the inverter I would just bring a couple batteries. I would bring the saw and the 1/2" driver incase I had to change a tire. If there were a bunch of people going, I'd bring the charger as if need be I could likely ask someone to charge up the battery if it was used up. A couple batteries will get through a small tree easy.
You can get a cheep inverter for about $40.
Amazon product ASIN B082RTV7YS
You can get a cheep inverter for about $40.
Amazon product ASIN B082RTV7YS
CharlieS
GOLD Star
Anybody try the rhino hide armor products? They look clever. I'm not in the market, but if I was doing a money is no object build, I think I'd try them.
www.rhinohide.com.au
Suitable for Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series (Facelift 2015+) - Rhinohid
Get Rhinohide 4x4 Armor that's suitable for TOYOTA Land Cruiser 200 Series (Facelift 2015+). Get the world's toughest panel & paint protection. Rated for on and off-road use to 120km/h protecting you from dents, scratches and pinstripes in carparks to tough country tracks. ATTENTION Sahara...
www.rhinohide.com.au
CharlieS
GOLD Star
I love this idea. Great thinking. Free and easy! I have a ton of batteries, so I could toss four or six in a bag.
PhuckItImDone
SILVER Star
That is about 3 .5 years too late into the destruction of my paint...Anybody try the rhino hide armor products? They look clever. I'm not in the market, but if I was doing a money is no object build, I think I'd try them.
Suitable for Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series (Facelift 2015+) - Rhinohid
Get Rhinohide 4x4 Armor that's suitable for TOYOTA Land Cruiser 200 Series (Facelift 2015+). Get the world's toughest panel & paint protection. Rated for on and off-road use to 120km/h protecting you from dents, scratches and pinstripes in carparks to tough country tracks. ATTENTION Sahara...
Some of the jeeps I run with use this... which will keep off the pin stripes. Note the price difference.
Not sure if it is all models, but some of the rhino hide is non-contact to the body panels, so it can actually take impact and not dent the panel, and won't trap grit between the sheet and the panel.
Does it justify the price difference? idk.
I stopped caring about pinstripes sometime in early 2019.
Does it justify the price difference? idk.
I stopped caring about pinstripes sometime in early 2019.
Agreed. To add, a couple additional variables, which when combined with your points, can drive the demand for larger gauge wires.
- While we're talking about sizing for inverter output power, the reality is that these devices have losses, which means it takes more input power to make said output power. Sometimes significantly more.
- Power is a product of volts * amps. Using an inverter in situations where the engine is not on, and perhaps the battery is low, or significantly drooping because of chemistry/age/etc., causes proportionately way more amps to be drawn. For example, assuming 1000W draw. Engine on at 13.6V requires ~74 amps. Engine off, battery sagging to 11.5V is 87 amps.
