greenrvgreen
open road
Senior Member
Joined: 09/05/2007
View Profile
|
I am running a pair of 4/0 cables 10 feet from my four 6-volt batteries to my 2000-watt inverter/charger. I will have a 300A t-fuse. I currently have 2 routing choices: Either hanging them under the trailer, or threading them through the insulated cap on my (homemade) pass-through compartment. Two questions:
--How hot can these cables get from a 100-watt charger? If I go through the compartment, they're going to be surrounded by r13 spun insulation. Is there a fire hazard?
--Is there any reason I must keep pos and neg cables the same length? because of the battery arrangement they will be traveling different distances.
I realize under the TT would be cooler, which is better, but they'd also be exposed to road hazards. Thoughts?
|
Hurricaner
Hurricane Utah
Senior Member
Joined: 02/17/2007
View Profile
|
How much of the cable is going to be covered by insulation? I would say it will carry 200 amps, which is more than the inverter or charger can use, without even getting warm. At 300 amps it might might get warm but not hot.
Sam
Sam & Kari
Hurricane, Utah
2004 34' Damon Challenger 315
|
greenrvgreen
open road
Senior Member
Joined: 09/05/2007
View Profile
|
Thanks, Sam.
It will pass through 36 inches of standard 3.5 inch fluffy fiberglass r13. Otherwise, it would have to hang down near the road. I guess i would feed it through plastic conduit.
But if the insulation's okay I'm inclined to do it. I just on't want to burst into flames, given a choice.
Once again, I'm assuming unequal pos/neg cable lengths are not a problem? Thanks.
|
wolfe10
Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 10/08/2000
View Profile
 Offline
|
Any chance of the inverter/charger being located nearer the batteries (but still in a separate compartment)?
Your run is really 10' PLUS 10'-- electrons must make the round trip.
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
|
smkettner
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 03/21/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
greenrvgreen wrote:
--How hot can these cables get from a 100-watt charger? If I go through the compartment, they're going to be surrounded by r13 spun insulation. Is there a fire hazard?
100-watt charger, no measurable heat generated. 100 amp charger, minimal heat if any.
I hope you are talking 4/0 and not #4 wire.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
|
|
|
mapguy
Puget Sound
Senior Member
Joined: 09/02/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
IMO -use the shortest route. Either location will work if a quality installion is done that provides armor (natural or added), support, and quality cable terminations. Map guy
|
greenrvgreen
open road
Senior Member
Joined: 09/05/2007
View Profile
|
Definitely 4/0 (four-ought). Thanks for catching the watts vs amps thing. Yes, it is a 100-AMP charger, not a 100-watt amp.
Okay, I'm going to do this! In through the insulation, 7 feet out, 10-11 feet back, around 18-feet total. Thanks!
|
Bob Landry
Austin, texas
Senior Member
Joined: 12/11/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Check the manual carefully for cable requirements. Some have a maximum distance and specify a certain size cable..
|
Hurricaner
Hurricane Utah
Senior Member
Joined: 02/17/2007
View Profile
|
At 18 feet you're at about 3.5% drop at 200 amps which isn't too bad. Ideally you would like to see under 3% drop. The micro is probably your biggest load and it will be under 180 amps so you should be fine.
Sam
|
wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
Senior Member
Joined: 07/04/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
I assume you mean a 100 amp charger.. I do not think they would overheat from the charger.. They might from the inverter if they have enough time.
If you are worried slip a temp probe in the bundle with 'em and measure it (use a remote thermometer like an indoor/outdoor)
The wires need not be exactly the same length, Mine are not.. They should be tight together though if possible, Tape 'em up so they are side by side as much as possible.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
|
|
|
