Power Inverter installation

[Bruce Anderson]

I just bought a 1800 watt power inverter for my truck. I have seen a few different ways to install them. One of my friends has an extra battery in the back with cables running to the truck batteries for recharging. Is this neccesary or is it suffiecent to just run off of the truck (diesel with two batterys). I'm not powering that much, just lights, bandsaw, multitool, and drill press of which no more than lights and one power tool are on at the same time

[Bradley-1stChoice]

For a few extra bucks I got an isolator, and run my wire
to two deep cycle marine batteries, and I run an 800w inverter.

I run the same kind of power consumption.

After a 12hr day, I'm real sure my truck will start.

[Bruce Anderson]

not sure what an isolator is...kinda **** electricly.hehe where would i get one?:rolleyes:

[SlowShoe]

the isolator keeps the battery thats running your inverter from draining your trucks battery if its hooked to that system.

[Phil Armitage]

I would not run your inverter from the vehicle battery. Purchase a couple of RV/boat deep cycle batterys and wire them in parallel. This will give you enough power when your at a location with no AC. Then you can charge them back up at home or at another barn when plugged into AC using a battery charger. You can charge your deep cycle battery from the vehicle alternator. This is where an isolator comes in. It is a 12 volt single pole relay wired in series between the vehicle battery and deep cycle battery positive lead. The relay is switched on and off from the acc connection on your vehicle fuse block. The acc tap on the fuse block has power when the ign key is in acc or running. While the engine is off the deep cycle batterys are isolated from your vehicle battery and will not run your battery down. I would also fuse the lead to fuse block and at the battery in case the either wire shorts to ground to prevent a fire. If anyone needs a schematic I can draw one up and post it here.

[Bruce Anderson]

That would be super Phil, Thanks so much for your help. I just want to do it right the first time, hate doing things twice:)

[Donnie Walker]

My inverter is wired directly to the two batteries in my truck and run my trailer lights and power tools all day long without a problem. This eliminates the expense of two extra batteries and a charger. In addition, when traveling without my trailer I have a constant source of power for any other need that may arise.

[Phil Armitage]

That would be super Phil, Thanks so much for your help. I just want to do it right the first time, hate doing things twice:)

Hi Bruce, I will draw one up over the weekend and scan it onto my computer and post it.

[Bradley-1stChoice]

I would not run your inverter from the vehicle battery. . . . While the engine is off the deep cycle batterys are isolated from your vehicle battery and will not run your battery down. I would also fuse the lead to fuse block and at the battery in case the either wire shorts to ground to prevent a fire. .

At both ends I spliced into the wire a 100 amp fuse.

Right at the marine Batt, and right at coming off the diverter switch.

The reason, if anywhere in the middle, a chafe were to occur,
a grounding, could take out both ends.

Two fuses, = both ends protected.

[lonestar]

I recently purchased a medium size stainless wire wheel and three large hamsters. I carry the little guys in the trailer and the wheel is mounted next to the propane. They eat in between stops to keep recharged. When power isnt available, often times its not when shoeing in a teepee, I just use a 12g extension cord get two of the little ones out and vala! I find you will want to have a third on hand incase of injury. Another added benefit is that these guys reproduce rapidly. Great renewable energy source. And there are tax breaks for going green. Hey this is just what worked for me on this day. I know its not for everyone and may not be the answer to your problems. Location and enviroment may impact your results. Not sure if the wheel comes naturally balanced or not, seems to work fine out of the box. I believe a few guys are using handmade wheels? sounds like a fun way to spend a weekend. And the local feed store has now 356 diff feeds for the 6 diff breeds of hamsters here in the states. One more thing I think there is some rumbling about licensing for hamster wheel users by the A.H.A. {american hamster assc} gosh I hope not . But, they are voting on the next assistant to the clerk of the uncle of the cousin first removed,divorced and recently remarried secretary of the guy who repaces the copy paper, remember to cast your vote. Best of luck

[Mike Bailey]

Why have Bloomer and Purrington not posted on this subject? I thought they wrote a papper on it.

[Brian Purrington]

Bloomer wrote an article.... Not me.

If you are really serious about the inqury I'll take some pics of my setup and walk through the install. Bloomer got me on track with the technical stuff and I pretty much just followed the instructions that came with each part of the system.

My inverter will run everything in my rig to include my welder.

Just say the word.

[Phil Armitage]

Here is an idea of how to wire up your inverter and deep cycle batterys.

http://cid-731b391fbb490316.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/Inverter%20Schematic.htm

The red lines are positive leads. Black are negative leads. The triangle is ground. I did not include the fuses in the drawing. I recommend fusing the positive lead from your veh. battery and also fuse the positive lead from the deep cycle batt. at the batterys for safety. The little box with the switch is the isolator, it is a 12VDC relay that is wired to the fuse block. Any connection that has 12 volts only when the Ign is on. You want a relay that is normally open so that when your veh is running it will close and charge the deep cycle battery. When the ignition is off the relay opens and isolates the deep cycle batterys from your Veh. battery. This relay can be purchased at any automotive center.

[Brian Purrington]

Two six volt golf cart batteries are much better, last longer and provide more stable power.

If you want to run much for any extended period of time.... get the "Titans".

[Phil Armitage]

Two six volt golf cart batteries are much better, last longer and provide more stable power.

If you want to run much for any extended period of time.... get the "Titans".

Depends on the amp/hour capacity of the batterys. Just so their is no confusion the total voltage should still be 13.8VDC to the inverter. So if you use two 6 volt battery they need to be wired in series. Two 12V batterys wired in parallel.

[Brian Purrington]

FYI... Golf cart batteries > Deep cell batteries.

I've used both. Don't waste your money on a deep cell.

Offer is still open if anyone want's a look...

I have the pics.

[Tennessee]

Post them, Brian. I would like to see how you've set it up.

Jeremy

[Brian Purrington]

Power for "Charging" while alt makes over 13.9 volts

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t59/wellshodhorses/Inverter/S6301084.jpg

Feed back to bed....

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t59/wellshodhorses/Inverter/S6301083.jpg

ACR link on "HOT"/+ side.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t59/wellshodhorses/Inverter/S6301082.jpg

Six volt G.C. Batteries.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t59/wellshodhorses/Inverter/S6301085.jpg

[Brian Purrington]

Inverter

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t59/wellshodhorses/Inverter/S6301080.jpg

In line view... everything is on the same side of the truck.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t59/wellshodhorses/Inverter/S6301086.jpg

I have a cover for the batteries and the ACR to prevent "shorts".

The wire sizes are specific to length of wiring runs, size of inverter, distance from charging source and distance between the inverter and power source (battery bank).

All of that info is clearly given with the inverter instructions.

If you would like more info feel free to call me, I'll help as much as I can with details.

443 564 0231

Regards,

[Bruce Anderson]

Thanks to both Brian and Phil, you have both been very helpfull!!!:)

[Phil Armitage]

Your welcome. I tried drawing up the schematic on Microsoft Office thinking it would be easier to post. Problem is I can't get it done the way I would like it including wire gauge, fuse sizes, etc... When I get a moment I will draw it up the ole fashion way on paper and see how it comes out after I scan it in and then try to post it includeing a materials list. Not sure if it will be easy to read or printable. Pictures are worth a thousand words and much easier to use vs. a wordy post trying to explain it.

Just don't come after Brian and I if you burn your truck down. ;) Make tight solid connections, proper fuses and proper gauge wiring. :)

Love Brians pictures, good work Brian. This is what I use to do for a living 10 years ago. I don't miss crawling around trucks, cars, garbage trucks, ole fire trucks and police cruisers that still have the shotgun mounted in the front seat as your crawling around it trying to run wire and mount hardware. Believe it or not, a cruiser did have the roof blown out and a deaf installer at a shop I worked at. :)

[Tennessee]

Ok, I have a few questions. First, did you have to upgrade the alternator on the truck? Second, how about doing this on a shoeing trailer. What would the problems be? What about a trailer that has a 110v package on it? Finally, what is the ACR?

Jeremy

[Brian Purrington]

Tennessee;99945]Ok, I have a few questions. First, did you have to upgrade the alternator on the truck?

No.
Second, how about doing this on a shoeing trailer. What would the problems be? What about a trailer that has a 110v package on it? Finally,

Not practical, you'd have to run too heay wire for the charging setup. You'd be better off just buying a battery charger hard mounting it for your charge source and pluggin in at the stops you can and at night when you get home to keep the batteries charged.

what is the ACR?

Automated current relay. Completes the charge circut when the truck is running and the alt is making 13.9 or more to charge your bank. Disconnects (isolates your bank) when the truck is off, protecting your truck battery.

Hope that helps.

[BS-Horseshoeing]

Does the inverter need to be 2500 watts? I was talking to my brother in law (an electrician) and he said it should be that or bigger cause it takes so much start up power for a grinder and such, and any inverter that was smaller might not work to well. Any more info or detailed drawing with good instructions would be great. I'm not to good with these sort of things, but if the instructions are good and can get er done.

[Brian Purrington]

2500 to 3000 watts is what I would recommend. it needs to be that size at least to run your equipment efficiently.

My setup is strong enough to run everything in the truck including the welder.

You are basically getting a 20 amp circut with the 2500

I also run 5 inch angle grinders, an 8 inch delta bench grinder with hard wheel and expander wheel, drill press, battery charger for my cordless drill, lights and my radio.

I have been running this setup for about 5-6 months now and I love it. I do still plug in at most stops, but when I need auxillary power I have it.

Some guys have a remote switch, I just have a power strip that I plug in to the appropriate feed.

Maybe I'll take some more detailed shots tomorrow if that'd help....

Regards,

Bloomie's article will be published soon and it will have all the schematics/drawings you need as well as name brands and sources for the components.

[Jack Mac Fan]

thanks brain, but what would you recommend for somebody who actually shoes horses

[dynoshoer]

I have a 3000w. Its runs my power nippers just fine.

[Tennessee]

Thanks, Brian. I didn't figure it would be too practical to do a shoeing trailer this way. I would like to know if there is a way you could set up an inverter system that automatically charged the batteries when the trailer is plugged in or ran off the batteries when it wasn't. I'm sure this can be done, I'm just not sure how. Will Bloomer cover this in the article?

Jeremy

[BS-Horseshoeing]

thanks brain, but what would you recommend for somebody who actually shoes horses

What's that suppose to mean? From what I see and read here Brian shoes horses for a living and so do I and the others asking these questions. what about you Jerk Mac Fan? Show some work and add some insight that helps us out, put up or shut up.

[BS-Horseshoeing]

2500 to 3000 watts is what I would recommend. it needs to be that size at least to run your equipment efficiently.

My setup is strong enough to run everything in the truck including the welder.

You are basically getting a 20 amp circut with the 2500

I also run 5 inch angle grinders, an 8 inch delta bench grinder with hard wheel and expander wheel, drill press, battery charger for my cordless drill, lights and my radio.

I have been running this setup for about 5-6 months now and I love it. I do still plug in at most stops, but when I need auxillary power I have it.

Some guys have a remote switch, I just have a power strip that I plug in to the appropriate feed.

Maybe I'll take some more detailed shots tomorrow if that'd help....

Regards,

Bloomie's article will be published soon and it will have all the schematics/drawings you need as well as name brands and sources for the components.

Thanks Brian, more pictures would be great if you have the time. Can't wait to read Bloomer's article, maybe it can even help me.:rolleyes:

[Joey Aczon]

I'm prepping to stick a 2500 in my trailer. I was also thinking that it's best to just have a charger that plugs in. (I don't really want to be using an expensive inverter for a regular power source and will most likely plug in most the time anyway) Just make sure that you get an auto taper charger so you don't fry your batteries. (a good one will run you at least $120, but even then you will still wanna disconnect it when using the inverter)

[SlowShoe]

I dont understand how 2 6v golf cart batteries would be better than one or two deep cycle marine batteries? Can you explain this to me Brian? It seems like they would take up more space and I've been thinking of doing this for a while.

Thanks!
Josh

[Brian Purrington]

Thanks, Brian. I didn't figure it would be too practical to do a shoeing trailer this way. I would like to know if there is a way you could set up an inverter system that automatically charged the batteries when the trailer is plugged in or ran off the batteries when it wasn't. I'm sure this can be done, I'm just not sure how. Will Bloomer cover this in the article?

Jeremy

Just set up your battery bank and inverter. Mount a low cost battery charger or even a marine maintainer to keep your batteries fresh. When you plug in at home or at the barn plug in your charger to an outlet in your rig.

This I how I did it with my first truck before I found out how to hook up the charge system and the ACR.

[Brian Purrington]

Thanks Brian, more pictures would be great if you have the time. Can't wait to read Bloomer's article, maybe it can even help me.:rolleyes:

I'll take some today.

[Phil Armitage]

Hi Josh the 12V RV/Marine Deep cycle batterys are a better choice over a 12V car battery and the cost is cheap compared to 6 volt industrial deep cycle batterys.

12V deep cycle batterys have a short life, maybe 1-2 years or less depending on how much discharge and charging. Advantage is that they are low cost and easy to find.

6V deep cycle batterys made for golf carts have a longer life. 2-3 years, easy to find and low cost.

The best is 6V forklift batterys, very heavy, very expensive, however over 10 years life.

That's it in a nutshell, hope that helps. Brian's idea of using golf cart batterys is a better choice over 12V RV/Marine batterys.

[Brian Purrington]

I'm prepping to stick a 2500 in my trailer. I was also thinking that it's best to just have a charger that plugs in. (I don't really want to be using an expensive inverter for a regular power source and will most likely plug in most the time anyway) Just make sure that you get an auto taper charger so you don't fry your batteries. (a good one will run you at least $120, but even then you will still wanna disconnect it when using the inverter)

Inverters aren't that expensive. I got my 2500 for under 200.00 off the internet.

I about 500.00 in the whole setup.

[Brian Purrington]

I dont understand how 2 6v golf cart batteries would be better than one or two deep cycle marine batteries? Can you explain this to me Brian? It seems like they would take up more space and I've been thinking of doing this for a while.

Thanks!
Josh

Phil beat me to it....

Has something to do with the amount of "plates" in the batteries and the discharge rate.

Unlike a normal battery a GC battery holds almost 90% of its full power till it quits.

At least that is my understanding.

I'm not technically smart about the whole thing, have to give credit where it's due....

Bloomer helped alot with the tech advice. I didn't understand a word he said most of the time, but I know the setup works.

Have a good day, gotta run.

[Brian Purrington]

I'll try to post the suppliers for each component tonight as well....

Bye.

[Phil Armitage]

Phil beat me to it....

Has something to do with the amount of "plates" in the batteries and the discharge rate.

Unlike a normal battery a GC battery holds almost 90% of its full power till it quits.

At least that is my understanding.

I'm not technically smart about the whole thing, have to give credit where it's due....

Bloomer helped alot with the tech advice. I didn't understand a word he said most of the time, but I know the setup works.

Have a good day, gotta run.

The quality of the battery, life expectancy, capacity is directly proportionate to the cost. Nothing is free in this life. Here is my not so technical explanation. I don't want to go Bloomer on everyone and be thought of as a electronic geek, besides I am a farrier now and want to put all this behind me. :D

6 Volt deep cycle batterys for golf carts are batter than 12 volt deep cycle RV batterys. Cost a little more, larger capacity and has twice as long life, I am talking years not charge. 12V RV 6 months to 2 years. 6V golf cart 2-3 years.

The better the battery the higher the cost and they get heavier.

I bet a lot of people do not realise 12V RV batterys have a short life. 6 months to a year. :eek: I looked into the 6V golf cart batterys and they have a life expectancy of 2-3 years and also have a larger capacity (amp/hour rating). Decent battery for the price and compared to 12V RV batterys.

The life a battery depends on how much they discharge. It is not good to let them get too low. Monitor your batterys and keep them charged and you can almost double the life. If they discharge too low to often you can shorten the life of battery real fast.

I was going to draw up schematics with materials, wire gauge and fuse sizes. Now that I see Bloomer is already working on this I will hold off. No sense in both of us doing this.

[SlowShoe]

6 Volt deep cycle batterys for golf carts are batter than 12 volt deep cycle RV batterys.

So this is a sales pitch?
http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/faq17.asp

[Phil Armitage]

So this is a sales pitch?
http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/faq17.asp

Could be a sales pitch or the unique design actually is better? Most 12V RV/Marine batterys are known for short life. It just so happens 6V Golf cart batterys are better quality made specifically for golf carts and becoming more popular with RV and Marine use, because they last longer. Maybe this company makes a better quality 12V deep cycle battery. I don't know.

[Bradley-1stChoice]

Could be a sales pitch or the unique design actually is better? Most 12V RV/Marine batterys are known for short life. It just so happens 6V Golf cart batterys are better quality made specifically for golf carts and becoming more popular with RV and Marine use, because they last longer. Maybe this company makes a better quality 12V deep cycle battery. I don't know.

I have a couple of Canadian Tire Marine deeeep cycle Batts

I have had them for 2-4 years and they seem good as new??????

[Brian Purrington]

Sorry... No pics tonight. Just got in and I didn't have time for pics today.

I'l try tomorrow.