Need help installing 1500 inverter...

K-MU · Sep 20, 2005

Hi there, I just bought a Xantrex Xpower 1500watt inverter, I really want to install it behind the rear seats and just power it using 0 gauge wire(will need it anyways to power my amps) comming directly from the battery to a 3 output fuse box, then use 1 output for the inverter and the other 2 for the audio amps.

Well upon reading the manuel it says that I should not use any cable longer than 5 feet because longer ones could cause a fire because of the resistance a longer cable puts on, would it be OK to use a bigger gauge cable to power it behind the rear seats, I will not use it for its full potential anyways?

It suggest to ue the crappy 4 gauge cable provided in the kit

THX in advance

Nestor · Sep 20, 2005

0 Gauge has a much lower resistance than the 4 gauge supplied with the inverter. Use the 0 gauge up to the dist block and keep the power cable to the inverter less than 5 feet. Use 0 guage if you can, but depending on the type of term. block on the inverter, you may have to stick with 4 gauge. Make sure all cables are fused!

bestatchess · Sep 20, 2005

It would apparently pull 1500 / 13.16 = 110 amps at full load not including anything less than 100% efficiency or cable resistance, which is close the 125 amp recommended max fuse rating for 4 gage. So yes, 0 gage would be necessary. Although even with 4 gage and the proper fuse at the connection with the battery, the fuse should blow before it starts a fire.

Does that thing have a remote on or something? Otherwise I would be worrying about leaving it on and draining the battery if you have it directly powered from the battery. I would probably try to take it apart and wire a relay to the on/off switch of the inverter. Then use a toggle switch on the dash to switch the relay trigger lead. I would use a circuit that goes on/off with the key to power the trigger lead (e.g. passenger side lighter socket) which I would tap at the in-cabin fuse box using a Mini Add-A-Circuit from Littel Fuse.

The foregoing assumes that the inverter switch is not directly switching the power lead to the inverter (common relays handle about 30 amps max).

Otherwise I think you would (1) have to go behind the seats to turn it on/off and (2) risk leaving it on and draining the battery.

Tiburon65 · Sep 20, 2005

what are you planning on running with the inverter to need that much power?

grunge311 · Sep 20, 2005

Tiburon65 said:
what are you planning on running with the inverter to need that much power?

Im betting a hot tub or a dryer.

K-MU · Sep 20, 2005

Hi there, THX for your replyes...

The inverter has an on/off switch to turn it on, but I will anyways add a relay switch which is recomemded in the manual to send power to the inverter...

What size fuse should I have at the battery? I will run 0 gauge from the battery to the distribution block, what size fuses(amps and inverter) should I use at the distribution block? then I will run 4 gauge wire from the distribution block to the amps and to the relay switch that powers the inverter.

I bought the 1,500watt inverter @ costco, it was $80 which is the same for inverters in the 700watt range, and of course anything from costco gets two thumbs up for me because of the ability to return the items no questions asked.

I will normaly used when going fishing to power some portable stereo, maybe a small tv, a small fan, etc. At the Farm/work I'll use it to power the shipping scale about 200watts when the 110v power supply goes out.

THX again...

Boogers · Sep 20, 2005

K-MU said:
Hi there, THX for your replyes...

The inverter has an on/off switch to turn it on, but I will anyways add a relay switch which is recomemded in the manual to send power to the inverter...

What size fuse should I have at the battery? I will run 0 gauge from the battery to the distribution block, what size fuses(amps and inverter) should I use at the distribution block? then I will run 4 gauge wire from the distribution block to the amps and to the relay switch that powers the inverter.

I bought the 1,500watt inverter @ costco, it was $80 which is the same for inverters in the 700watt range, and of course anything from costco gets two thumbs up for me because of the ability to return the items no questions asked.

I will normaly used when going fishing to power some portable stereo, maybe a small tv, a small fan, etc. At the Farm/work I'll use it to power the shipping scale about 200watts when the 110v power supply goes out.

THX again...

I may be wrong... but you might be lucky to get 1,500 watts out of that for .5 seconds before it stalls... $80 bucks for a 1,500 watt inverter is quite a ... umm "deal"...

PHOEBISIS · Sep 20, 2005

1500 watts=2 hp= max alternator output.

Wow,that is a lot of potential power.I can see your point-why buy a 700 for the same price of a 1500.The 1500 is more versatile-you might use it on something else in the future.
We paid $30 for a 400 watt-so $80 for 1500 doesn't seem bad.I suspect our alternator puts out 120 amps-or about 1440 watts.Good luck.Charlie

katsu · Sep 20, 2005

0 gauge cable is very thick, you want to make sure you have a good installation with loomis over it or some kind of extra protection. How are you planning on routing this cable?

K-MU · Sep 20, 2005

Boogers said:
I may be wrong... but you might be lucky to get 1,500 watts out of that for .5 seconds before it stalls... $80 bucks for a 1,500 watt inverter is quite a ... umm "deal"...

I dont think I will ever need more than 500watts to 800watts, so Im not worried about its full potential, hell if it doesnt work Ill just take it back to costco and get a full money back, "Thats a deal"

New_England_Titan · Sep 23, 2005

you could also go this route - I've had this setup w/a 1750W inverter connected to an isolator and a pair of deep cycle batteries for over a year now and no fires (that I know about). ;-)

http://titantalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14627

bestatchess · Sep 23, 2005

I think the maximum fuse rating for 0 gauge is 250 amps. As far as routing the cable, I think you need to drill a hole in the firewall to get 0 gauge through. 4 gage will go through the existing rubber plug on the driver's side firewall. Probably use a unibit to drill the hole and a bushing like this:

http://www.cardomain.com/item/STRFWB0

Check out http://www.bcae1.com/ and click on "Fuses" on the right hand edge navigation bar.

K-MU · Sep 24, 2005

New_England_Titan said:
you could also go this route - I've had this setup w/a 1750W inverter connected to an isolator and a pair of deep cycle batteries for over a year now and no fires (that I know about). ;-)

http://titantalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14627

Hey cool...

What gauge wire are you running from the batteries to the inverter and how long is the wire?

THX in advance

New_England_Titan · Sep 24, 2005

0 guage. From dual battery set in bed tool box to isolater ~7'. From battery set to inverter less than 5' (drill hole was through bed, NOT cab). 250A fuse 1/2 way in-line with inverter. Very easy setup to accomplish, it took me less than 3 hours (after the tool box was installed).

Need help installing 1500 inverter...

K-MU

Nestor

bestatchess

Tiburon65

grunge311

K-MU

Boogers

PHOEBISIS

katsu

K-MU

New_England_Titan

bestatchess

K-MU

New_England_Titan

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