Installing an Inverter for AC during Drive

[Mark H]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

A 1000 watt inverter will pull at least 1000 watts/12 VDC = 84 amps DC.

And that's not taking into account inverter inefficiency and other DC loads from the battery.

You can mount it in that location but you need to run a separate power cable and fuse/breaker from the battery to the inverter. The existing 50 amp breaker and cable won't handle it.

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Would it be better to mount the inverter in the battery compartment with its own DC cable and breaker then run the AC line to the WAFCO? You would have to run both directions for the auto transfer though. As I recall that’s how really high end provosts and such do it with big inverters. But how the heck can you pull wire in these things. It is all so buried in walls and floor.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Mark H

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Would it be better to mount the inverter in the battery compartment with its own DC cable and breaker then run the AC line to the WAFCO? You would have to run both directions for the auto transfer though. As I recall that’s how really high end provosts and such do it with big inverters. But how the heck can you pull wire in these things. It is all so buried in walls and floor.

"Better" is a subjective term. What's better for you may not be better for me.

It's easier to put the inverter near the 120 VAC distribution panel for tieing into the AC circuits but it's easier to put the inverter near the batteries (and for large inverters, almost mandatory due to the size of the DC cables needed) but then you have to run two strands of 14/2 back to the power distribution panel.

So pick your poison but size the DC cables correctly for the load and length.

In either case, the cables run between the battery compartment and the AC distribution panel should easily be run under the floor of the coach. Roll under there and look at all the wire bundles.