Installing pure sine 1000 watt and needing suggestions on location and wiring

[Orca1958]

Hey Everybody,
Colemane Lantern 202RD 2020: I purchased this GOwise Power inverter and I'm wondering on install options.
I hate to cut through the flooring under the trailer, but that is one option. The other is to cut through the area near the electrical into the trailer. It's a plastic sheathing covering that obiviously is pretty cheap way to bridge the gap between the front of the trailer and under the trailer. Another option could be a water proof box attached above the batteries and enclose the inverter in there. That's a more expensive option. I 'll probably be attaching it in the storage area. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
MIke

[dsol]

I assume this is a pretty small and light weight generator. Why not just buy a heavy lock and lock it up while using and then also have the ability to use it at home if there is an outage or you just want to power a tool outside someplace and are far from an outlet?

Just a thought.

[franktafl]

Is there a reason why you want the inverter there? Your other converter is located near the power panel box as well as the battery wires that come from the battery. Turn on all your lights and listen for the fan. I don’t like the fact that it’s power connectors are exposed. If you are using your pass through for storage of anything it may make contact while traveling. Maybe use some good heat shrink.

[ewarnerusa]

I have also installed my INVERTER in my passthrough storage as it is the closest convenient place to the batteries. I went with making a hole through the floor in there, then out through an existing 1" diameter hole in the frame to the batteries. I've got a set of 2-gauge wires (positive and negative), plus a couple other small diameter wires needed for my stuff (battery temp sensor, battery voltage sense wires, etc.). The wire run length is about 5' from battery posts to the inverter. I installed my inverter and solar CC, along with circuit breakers and battery disconnect switch, to a panel that I mounted to the interior of the front wall in the pass through. There is some worry about items moving around in the pass through making contact with stuff, but in 10+ years I have not had a problem. KNock on wood. My setup has the wires coming out beneath the pass through floor into the space between the coroplast and camper floor, then out through the existing hole in front of the frame, then to the batteries. I used wire loom to protect the exposed wire between frame and batteries.

The plastic sheeting is called coroplast and a local RV dealer should stock the stuff in a roll that covers typical RV frame widths. Or Home Depot will have it in smaller stock sizes. If you have to cut through yours to pass wires through, seal it up good with foam gap filler or something. Otherwise, wind can work its way in there at highway speeds and it will puff up and tear away from the camper. I experienced this and lost the entire coroplast sheeting. That's how I learned that the RV dealer stocks it in a roll for purchase.

[SlowNEasy]

I believe your decision should take into consideration the 12V AMPs your inverter will draw and then the total length of cable (+ and -) required for the run from the battery to the inverter. This will give you the gauge of wire you will need. The further from the battery, the larger wire you will need. If we guesstimate your maximum draw of 100AMPs at 13.8 volts with 5% drop allowed and a quick wire size calculator, we can get our wire sizes. For 8 feet (close to the battery) we need 8 gauge wire, for inside the cabin but still near the front lets estimate 20 feet, we need 4 gauge wire, and for near the back of a 28 foot TT, we will likely need 55 feet of 1 gauge wire. I always opt for the shortest 12V run. The 110V run is not that important on a TT as the lengths are short at that voltage but keep in mind to only use multi-strand copper, not solid wire, as the solid wire does not handle vibration as well and can cause fires.


If it were me (and it will be eventually) I would put the inverter on the inside front wall of the TT as close to the battery as I could get it. I would also run cable of a sufficient gauge that you could double the size of your inverter and still be good.

[Orca1958]

I'll probably be installing in the storage area as another member did. It's closest to the battery. Less than 2 feet from the battery to the storage area. I appreciate all the comments and suggestions.
Thanks again,
MIke

[persistent]

Good advice posted above. Punch through the floor for cable. Water and wind on the front will likely defeat what ever seals you make on the front.

[videoarizona]

I like ewarnersusa's answer.

The inverter must be as close as possible to the batteries due to line loss in DC wiring. 3 to 4 feet is best with 02 size wire.

I'm going another direction. I moved my battery from the tongue to under the dinette. Changed from 2 golf cart batteries(true deep cycle) to 200 amp lithium. Bought fuse, circuit breakers, wire, crimper, Victron shunt, 2 buss bars and lots of wire ends. Also changed out the WFCO converter in my 55 amp power center to an auto detect lithium converter/charger. Stage 1 done and working!

Stage 2 will be adding solar to roof with Victron controller.
State 3 will be inverter.

I chose the location because it's right next to the stand the fridge sits on. I'll be using the fridge vent to run solar wires down. So it's a straight shot.

3 months planning, 1 month buying and 4 days for layout, build wood partition and install the 1st stage.

Worth it? Yep!
The hard part is over. The rest will come much easier now that the foundation is done.

Next week I remove the golf cart batteries from the tongue and put in a Harbor Freight tongue box. I'll leave the two DC leads that used to charge the batteries up front... And mount them inside the box. They will be used for attaching my portable 12 volt solar suitcase as well as powering my 12 volt air compressor for tire repairs or????

Think it through. But which ever way you go... Please do it right.
David