This DC power is what's needed to recharge your RV battery and is the only type of power available that uses both shore and generator power. RV battery chargers work by converting household 120-volt (V) alternating current (AC) power into 12V direct current (DC) power when the RV is hooked up to shore power or a generator. Keep reading to learn about the warning signs your converter charger is about to die and how to test it when you think it may be failing. Nobody wants to be driving cross-country when their RV suddenly loses power - trust us, it's the opposite of a good time. An RV converter charger means you can cook on a stove, watch TV and even play video games, all from the comfort of your own camper.īut, RV battery converter chargers can occasionally fail, and when they do, you need to be prepared. Check out the rest of our helpful guides in creating your off-grid power system, from selecting the right inverter to measuring how much battery power you’ll need to produce in order to keep your inverter running and even how to hook up your inverter to your batteries.RV battery chargers make life in a camper a little more convenient and enjoyable. If you are unsure about your application, feel free to give us a call and we will be able to assist you in finding the right cable.īy using this inverter wire size calculator, you’ll learn how to size battery cables, but that’s only one step of the process. If you will need to run cables longer than 10 feet, it is recommended that you increase the cable size in order to compensate for voltage loss. *** PLEASE NOTE: For distances over 10 feet, voltage drop over the cables will occur due to resistance through the wiring. When working with electricity or other potentially hazardous equipment, it is always best to go with the safer option and round up. By going up to the next size, you avoid risking overheating your system and creating any potential fire hazards. In our example, we can see that 1/0 AWG cable would be appropriate (#1 AWG has a maximum rating of 211A, which is fairly close to our maximum amperage, so it would be a good idea to go up in size to the next gauge (especially for lengths over 10 feet). Use the below chart as a guide to determine which size cable will be best for your application. So, in our example, 208.33 amps is the maximum current that the cable needs to support in order to properly provide the current to the inverter. **Here, we are just manipulating Ohm’s Law, which tells us that:Ĥ. This will provide you with an approximation that you can use to pick out your inverter wire size or inverter cable size.(5000 W)/(24 Vdc) = 208.33 A Now divide the inverter’s wattage by your battery voltage this will give you the maximum current for your cables. If you’re unsure the difference between the power values, you can read our handy guide on how 12-, 24- and 48-volt DC systems differ.Įxample below: 8 x 12Vdc batteries wired in series and parallel to make 24Vdc:ģ. What is the DC voltage of your battery bank ? The DC voltage will be a measurement of the total DC voltage produced by your battery bank. The inverter’s size will be located at the front of its product description.Įxample: AIMS Power 5000W 24Vdc Power Inverter, model # PWRINV500024WĢ. Whether you need to know what size cables for a 2000-watt inverter or what size fuse for a 400-watt inverter, everything comes down to the power you’re producing. Use this as a guide for choosing the proper cable size, and be sure to contact a professional electrician or our tech team with any additional questions you may have.ġ.What size inverter do you have? Noting the size of inverter that you’re using is the first step in finding safe cables. Failing to do so could lead to your inverter not supporting full loads and overheating, which is a potential fire hazard. In fact, it is very important to be sure you are using the appropriate cable size for your inverter and battery, due to safety concerns. Finding power inverter cables and power inverter cords that work safely is just as essential. Learning what cable to use for an inverter is a vital step in the process of powering your off-grid system, even if it may not initially seem as important as figuring out the right inverter to use or how much battery power you’ll need for your inverters.
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