Battery upgrade opinions

[KimNTerry]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

So, if you plan to install your inverter "near the battery bank" you can reduce the need for a long run "2 ga or 4 ga cables" from the battery to the inverter. You can usually run a 2' cable from the battery to the inverter and then run 14 ga ROMEX from the inverter to the wall outlet. That saves a significant amount of money (copper is expensive) and also saves enough weight in wiring to at least address in the "overall electrical distribution plan".

Depending on where your batteries are located, where you want to install the inverter and where you plan to install the 120VAC outlets, a bit of "planning the alternatives" can save anywhere from $40-50 in a small trailer to well over $100 in the price of long runs of 2ga copper cable.

Also always follow the instructions from the inverter manufacturer. Install instructions for my 1800 watt inverter charger specify a minimum 2/0 cable not longer than 5 ft. Fused with a 250Amp fuse.

The smaller inverter I want to get is a hard wired unit to be installed near the battery using 14/2 wire to distribute the AC current to an outlet.