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Inverters 12v dc to 240v ac
Index

5.3 Battery Cables
Proper wire and wiring is very important for the safe and proper operation of the 25O0w INVERTER. Because the 2500W INVERTER has a low voltage, high current input, low resistance wiring between the battery and the 2500W INVERTER is essential to deliver the maximum amount of usable energy to your load. Don't waste the investment you have made in batteries and a highly efficient inverter by using undersized wires.

Use only copper wire. Aluminum wire has about 1/3 more resistance than copper wire of the same size and it is more difficult to make good, low resistance connections to aluminum wire. We recommend 2 x # 1AWG or l x 3/0 AWG copper cable (90 degrees C insulation rating), as the minimum size for connections between the battery and the 2500W INVERTER (2 X # 4AWG or 1 X # 1AWG for 24 volt model). Keep the cable length as short as possible, no longer than 10 Ft (3 meters). This will keep the overall system efficiency as high as possible, and will keep the voltage drop between the battery and 2500W INVERTER to a minimum.

Remember! Lower efficiency means shorter run-times.

If the battery cables introduce an excessive voltage drop, the inverter may shut down
when drawing higher currents because the voltage at the inverter drops below 10 volts
(20 volt for 24volt model). If you must use longer cables, then choose larger cable.
(See Table 5 below.)


Length of each
Cable
Up to...
2500w 12v INVERTER
2500w 24v INVERTER
Minimum Cable
Size if using
Single cable
Minimum Cable
Size if using
Double cable
Minimum Cable
Size if using
Single cable
Minimum Cable
Size if using
Double cable
10ft (3m)
No 3/0 AWG
2 x No 1 AWG
No 1 AWG
2 x No 4AWG
15ft (4.6m)
250 MCM
2 x No 2/0 AWG
No 2/0 AWG
2 x No 2AWG
20ft (6.1,)
400 MCM
2 x No 3/0 AWG
No 3/0 AWG
2 x No 1 AWG

Table 5 . Recommended DC Cable Sizes for Permanent Installation,
for voltage drop less than 0.5 V dc total. Based on 90 °C cable.

Strip approximately 1/2" (1.25cm) of insulation from the ends of the DC cables being connected to the inverter. Attach 5/16 inch ring terminals to the ends of the wires to be attached to the DC terminals on the 2500W INVERTER. The ring terminals should be crimped with a proper crimping tool.

Another option is to use Ilsco or equivalent box-lug terminals, (available at electrical parts suppliers). The bare cable end can then be inserted into the lug terminal.

The other ends of the cables, which are connected to the battery, must be terminated with battery terminals that clamp to the posts on the battery.

Remember A solid, low resistance connection to the DC power source is essential for proper operation of 2500W INVERTER.

Remember Do not tin the cable ends with solder. Doing so will result in a poor long-term connection.