User Tag List

Results 1 to 4 of 4
  1. #1
    Left The Driveway
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Posts
    13
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    2/0 or 4/0 for 3000W inverter

    I see many wiring diagrams (e.g. explorist.life) that show 4/0 cable to the inverter when upgrading from a 2000W inverter to a 3000W inverter. 2/0 I believe can handle up to 400amps. Is 4/0 really necessary? The reason I ask is I will be temporarily using a 2000W inverter that will not be wired in to the panel and 2000W and 2/0 is overkill even for that. But the long-term plan is to wire in a 3000W inverter to the panel. Even then, I don't see myself running the AC units on the battery when boondocking. My BattleBorn GC3 270Ah battery is rated for 300amps. Just trying to figure out what would be drawing all these amps that would require 4/0 cable.
    2020 Reflection 303RLS
    2019 F-250 6.7L Diesel

  2. #2
    Site Team xrated's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    "Murvul", TN
    Posts
    3,355
    Mentioned
    135 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I'm not sure where you came up with 2/0 being able to handle 400 amps, but that is dead wrong. You are looking at a 3000 Watt inverter being fed by 12volts so doing the math on that part of it....Watts, divided by volts will equal amps....so 3000 divided by 12V = 250 amps. So for 60 degree C rated cable you would need 350 MCM size cable. For 75 C rated cable you would need 250 MCM.....and for 90 C rated cable you would need 4/0. If you buy aluminum cable instead of copper, those cable sizes are even bigger. Ignore the right half of the chart.....that is for aluminum cable

    https://www.usawire-cable.com/pdf/nec-ampacities.pdf
    2016 F350 CrewCab Dually
    2018 Momentum 394M...Heavily Modded!
    2023 Suzuki GSX-S1000 GT+
    Excessive Payload is a Wonderful Thing

    "If it ain't fast....It ain't Fun"

  3. #3
    Left The Driveway
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Posts
    13
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Thanks. That makes more sense. I was told 400amps by someone but he seemed a little unsure so glad I asked. I'll install 4/0 and call it a day.
    2020 Reflection 303RLS
    2019 F-250 6.7L Diesel

  4. #4
    Rolling Along cookinwitdiesel's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Wyoming
    Posts
    650
    Mentioned
    7 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by herman2021 View Post
    Thanks. That makes more sense. I was told 400amps by someone but he seemed a little unsure so glad I asked. I'll install 4/0 and call it a day.
    I used 4/0 for all of my inverter and battery cabling. That is the high draw stuff, not worth cutting corners. Other DC loads are fed by 6awg or 2awg as appropriate.
    2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali Diesel DRW (Crew Cab | 8 Ft bed | OEM Puck System | Curt Gooseneck Ball for OEM Puck | Timbrens on rear axle)
    2019 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R Fifth Wheel (Onan 5500W LP Generator | MORryde CRE3000 and HD Shackles/Wet Bolts | 3x MORryde Cross Members | 8k Axles and Disc Brakes | Sailun S637 ST | Reese GooseBox 20k 2nd Gen | Splendide Stackable Washer and Dryer)
    Full Suite of Victron Energy Products (2x 5k 24v Quattro Inverter/Charger | 2x 25.6/200 LFP Smart LiFePO4 Batteries | 2880w of Solar Panels across 4x MPPTs | Cerbo GX)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

DISCLAIMER:This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Grand Design RV, LLC or any of its affiliates. This is an independent site.