I have a question my friends

[timlsalem]

I want to get a 2000W inverter. I've found some bigger wattage ones that have a remote control to turn them on and off but the one I'm considering doesn't have one. I'm wanting to hardwire it to the battery and be able to turn it on and off from inside the cabin so it isn't drawing off the battery when not being used. I know there must be a on/off switch I can do this with. Can anyone tell me what type of switch I'm thinking of? Thanks

[eamarquardt]

A 2000 watt inverter could draw as much as 200 amps (roughly). That a bunch. They make battery selection switches for boats that can handle that type of load. You'll have to use some pretty beefy wire between the switch and the inverter.

What are you gonna do with 2000 watts and how many batteries are you gonna feed the inverter with? How are you gonna put all that juice back into the battery once you've drawn it down?

Unless you have a specific (and very short duration need) for a 2K inverter, I'd downsize.

Cheers,

Gus

[timlsalem]

OOHRAH Gus, Well my friend, I have twin 6 volt golfcart batteries and they are being charged as I drive with 135 amp alt. and when stopped with shore power they are charged with a 4 stage charger. I just plan to use the inverter for making coffee and watching 19" flat screen/DVD on my travels between campsites. Perhaps a 1200 or 1500w would serve the purpose?

[timlsalem]

I know coffee pots take a lot of power to make 12 cups and that's what I plan on having cause well, I'm worth 12 cups. I'm not too sure about how much the TV will take but to give you an idea, 2 hours sitting or for us laying in front of a TV is just about plenty for me. I was thinking bigger inverter because just in case I decide later on down the line I might want to try satelite TV.

[madjack]

...it will take 1200-1500watts to run a modern coffee maker...you will need VERY HEAVY CABLES to hook to battery...you can use a switch such as this one http://www.harborfreight.com/battery-cu ... 92688.html (probably)..............
madjack

[timlsalem]

thanks for the info Madjack. I've found a 1500w with 2500w surge that looks good. It wouldn't take any bigger cables then standard battery cables would it? I plan on mounting it permanantly about 9" away from the battery where I will have good ventalation.

[timlsalem]

that switch is exactly what I was thinking about. Just couldn't think of what they were called. I think that one would work fine. I can mount it right next to my PD4045 where I'll have easy access to it. Thanks

[madjack]

...not knowing specifics of amp carrying capacity for heavy cables, I couldn't/wouldn't make specific recommendations but would certainly look at wiring in the 0 to 2 ga sizes.............
madjack

[Corwin C]

If you really want to do this (sounds like an expensive, challenging endeavor for coffee, but there again I'm not a drinker...) I think that you're going to need a 200 amp relay rated for continuous duty. That way the remote switch wouldn't have to handle all of that current.

[Kevin A]

If you really want to do this (sounds like an expensive, challenging endeavor for coffee, but there again I'm not a drinker...) I think that you're going to need a 200 amp relay rated for continuous duty. That way the remote switch wouldn't have to handle all of that current.

I was going to suggest that too, until I saw the $3.99 price tag on the HF switch.

[timlsalem]

ya, I was thinking 2 that's what standard battery cables are. I've got a good 10 gage cable I'll use to run from the inverter to the switch and then from the switch to the receptical. Just got to make the receptical a different color so I don't plug into it when I'm hooked to shore power and be waiting all day for the coffee to brew.

[Corwin C]

If you really want to do this (sounds like an expensive, challenging endeavor for coffee, but there again I'm not a drinker...) I think that you're going to need a 200 amp relay rated for continuous duty. That way the remote switch wouldn't have to handle all of that current.

I was going to suggest that too, until I saw the $3.99 price tag on the HF switch.

It really depends on where you want the switch in relation to the battery and the inverter. If you want to have the switch in the galley and the battery and inverter are in the tongue box, that's a lot of copper and the relay may actually be cheaper.

[timlsalem]

well, let me go check out what a 200 amp relay is but my coffee pot is 900 amp and the switch says it can handle 1000 so don;t really know if the relay is needed.

[Corwin C]

well, let me go check out what a 200 amp relay is but my coffee pot is 900 amp and the switch says it can handle 1000 so don;t really know if the relay is needed.

900 amp or 900 watt?? If it's 900 amp then the relay won't cut it...

BTW the blue in my post is a link to a relay (quick and dirty ... first I found).

[Kevin A]

well, let me go check out what a 200 amp relay is but my coffee pot is 900 amp and the switch says it can handle 1000 so don;t really know if the relay is needed.

You might want to check that again, I'm thinking you mixed up amps and watts.
Most likely your coffee pot is rated for 900 watts. btw, 900 amps would need a wire the size of your forearm.