Wiring in an inverter
Submitted: Thursday, Jun 01, 2017 at 00:02
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Keith B2
I'd like to hard wire at 2.5Kkw inverter into a popup I am building. But all the ones on the market just have two three pin sockets on them.
Is it permissible to use heavy three core flex and 3 pin plugs from the RCD breakers straight into the inverter, provided of course that inverter is suitable for RCDs? I did hear from somewhere that this type of wiring is illegal and that the inverter has to be connected directly to the appliance concerned.
The only other option is get my sparkie to dismantle the inverter and wire straight in. Any advice would be welcome.
Reply By: Member - Jim B8 - Thursday, Jun 01, 2017 at 06:18
Thursday, Jun 01, 2017 at 06:18
Have you checked out the whole proposal? At 12 volts, 2500 watts draws over 200 amps, if 24 volt, over 100 amps? It wont last long I predict, as the limitations of the batteries will be an issue?
I dont know the entire plan so forgive me if I am wrong when I say down scaling the idea is recommended. I wouldnt bother hard wiring to it as at that size it really needs a 48 volt battery, and big as
well (capacity).
We use gas and 12 volts mostly, 240 for the air conditioner when in van parks
Good luck with the project
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611579
Reply By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Thursday, Jun 01, 2017 at 08:30
Thursday, Jun 01, 2017 at 08:30
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Sorry Keith, it is NOT permissible to "use heavy three core flex and 3 pin plugs from the RCD breakers straight into the inverter".
There is an option to use fixed wiring to connect the inverter to the RCD breakers of your van installation but it would need to be done by a licensed electrician in accordance with the regulations. The rest of your van 230v wiring also needs to be installed by a licensed electrician.
But my recommendation is to forget the whole idea. As Jim has pointed out above, the battery drain of a 2.5kW inverter makes it impractical.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Keith B2 - Thursday, Jun 01, 2017 at 09:27
Thursday, Jun 01, 2017 at 09:27
I should have explained. It's actually a very large 1.2Kw solar system and the aim it to run a small 200 watt aircon overnight off 400 AH Lipo4 batteries and recharge by early afternoon in sunny weather. In winter when the charge is poor, aircon won't be an issue.
2.5Kw is a overkill for sure.I was worried about stating current and occasional drain from a microwave. But a smaller inverter will work fine. I have a marine sparkie, who I haven't consulted yet, to do the install, but I need to supply the components.
Hence the question.You can see the build on Mywag: "World's Slowest Build".
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Follow Up By: HKB Electronics - Thursday, Jun 01, 2017 at 12:04
Thursday, Jun 01, 2017 at 12:04
200W aircon?
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Thursday, Jun 01, 2017 at 12:05
Thursday, Jun 01, 2017 at 12:05
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Hmmm, massive system for a cool breeze, but your choice.
If your "marine sparkie" is conversant with the appropriate regulations and suitably qualified then you would do best to ask him the question, not seek the advice of unqualified persons here.
FollowupID:
881643
Reply By: dublediff - Friday, Jun 02, 2017 at 22:50
Friday, Jun 02, 2017 at 22:50
Lots of experts here telling him what not to do, maybe you could assist with a realistic solution. I am clealy not an expert but I will suggest that you try an invertor with a hard wire option, such as xantrex, seem to hold up to corrugations
well, and hav it wired in by your marine elec. 300 or 400 ah lithium should run a small a/c for your purposes and the solar panels you suggest should keep up with replenishing. I do,have lithiums and know how quickly they can be recharged.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Saturday, Jun 03, 2017 at 15:29
Saturday, Jun 03, 2017 at 15:29
I thought that there were constructive expressions being made, but with the magnitude of the proposed system and allusions to wiring to fixed outlet sockets there was some justification to voice warnings.
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Follow Up By: dublediff - Saturday, Jun 03, 2017 at 15:54
Saturday, Jun 03, 2017 at 15:54
agree wholeheartedly with the warnings as they were justified, some of the comments were purely negative, pardon the pun.
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Reply By: Keith B2 - Saturday, Jun 03, 2017 at 16:32
Saturday, Jun 03, 2017 at 16:32
I spoke to my marine sparkie yesterday arvo. He said it is easy to hard wire an inverter into the system and he does it all the time on boats,as
well as his own giant RV.
He suggested an inverter charger with auto switching, which removes the need for a changover switch.
I'll get him to wire it up and will let everyone know how it goes.
Doesn't sound like a cheap day out though.
AnswerID:
611645