I am replacing my 12v Renogy 2000 watt inverter with a 3000 watt 12 volt inverter. I used 2 gauge wire on the first one, and have ordered 1/0 AWG for the 3k inverter. 12” long to the fuse, and 12” long to the battery to the blue sea on off. Think it should be good. I am concerned about the vendor supplied cables. I heard they may be two 4 gage, and saw a few videos where people replaced them. Has anyone experienced this, or have this inverter? Thanks! (The batter bank is 760ah) if it matters!
Renogy 3000w inverter Battery Cables
- Thread starter Spartaqus
- Start date
1/0 seems on the small side. I would go 4/0 if anywhere close to 3000w is needed.
For real stranded copper with proper lugs:
https://www.customcableusa.com/coll...custom-battery-cable-marine-grade-by-the-foot
For real stranded copper with proper lugs:
https://www.customcableusa.com/coll...custom-battery-cable-marine-grade-by-the-foot
MisterB1959
Solar Enthusiast
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2022
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i have the 3000w/12v Renogy inverter and ditched the supplied cables and installed with 35mm2 (UK Gauge) cable which can carry 240A. The cable run is less than 12" and i have fitted a 200A fuse. One of the main reasons for ditching the supplied cables ( 2 pairs) was that it made fitting to the battery bolt down type terminal quite difficult as i have other connections to the battery aswell.
its fitted into my Adria motorhome (RV) and in conjunction with my 304A lithium, allows me to run the microwave and kettle at the same time off grid without tripping or damaging the battery or inverter, which in my world is a major requirement LOL
one other big advantage of the Renogy for me is the pass through facility, when on electric hook up (EHU). i installed additional circuits, purely fed from the inverter that obviously didnt work on EHU without lifting seats and swapping cables from one source to another. now it happens automatically, though of course it means not all circuits become live via the inverter only, but as i have just changed the water heater to work on either supply, i can live without a few of the of the sockets when not on EHU
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Let's do some maths
3000W inverter / 12V = 250A
250A / 0.90 inverter efficiency = 277A (i.e. the inverter will draw 277A theoretically to power 250A of load ----> btw, as if anyone would push an inverter to it's absolute limit in real world practicality).
So let's round it up to 300A for sheets and giggles.
Therefore, a 300A rated copper cable will do just fine.
Here in Australia we have the popular B&S cable standard which is very commonly used.....it's very close to AWG in terms of like for like.
FWIW, 3/0 B&S copper cable is rated @ ~332A.
Btw, I keep seeing these hysterical posts (on this website and others) about requiring 0000 AWG (i.e. 4/0 AWG) wire for a 3000W 12V...........nah.
GeeGee
3000W inverter / 12V = 250A
250A / 0.90 inverter efficiency = 277A (i.e. the inverter will draw 277A theoretically to power 250A of load ----> btw, as if anyone would push an inverter to it's absolute limit in real world practicality).
So let's round it up to 300A for sheets and giggles.
Therefore, a 300A rated copper cable will do just fine.
Here in Australia we have the popular B&S cable standard which is very commonly used.....it's very close to AWG in terms of like for like.
FWIW, 3/0 B&S copper cable is rated @ ~332A.
Btw, I keep seeing these hysterical posts (on this website and others) about requiring 0000 AWG (i.e. 4/0 AWG) wire for a 3000W 12V...........nah.
GeeGee
Brucey
Solar Wizard
If the inverter has significant surge capability (Midnite, Victron etc) then you would want that extra current carrying capacity. Because surge load could be 4 or 5kW. This wouldn't apply to a Renogy.
From what I know (I could be wrong), a copper wire takes minutes to burn / light up if SHTF......for e.g. a 300A copper wire won't suddenly catch fire and burn down your house because a load suddenly exceeds the stated wire/cable amperage rating......moreover, a 300A rated copper cable will accommodate a 3000W Inverter's surge capacity quite easily (which usually lasts in the ~5-10s surge range in terms of x2 Watts?).
FWIW -------> it's the fuse rating that is most important in the overall scheme of things.
Once again, the copper cable suggested Amp rating I see on many forum posts for a 3000W 12V inverter is overrated.....not by much and I'm all for oversizing things in the grand scheme of things......if you want to use 4/0 AWG cable, then go for it, all the best to you, I won't say no, do it........but my point is, I've seen many posts claiming you need 4/0 AWG cable for a 3000W 12v system as some kind of be-all/end-all gauge...............nah.
GeeGee
Brucey
Solar Wizard
Here's the wiring recommendations for a Victron 12V 3000VA unit, 400A fuse and twin AWG 1/0 cables for lengths under 5m.
Victron suggests an overload capability of 1.3x for upto 30 minutes assuming the battery system is robust enough to supply what it needs.
Now a Renogy is not going to run at 1.3x for 30 mins so you may be able to get away with less. But with higher performance inverters they can pull a lot of current and 4/0 is the "safe option".
Victron suggests an overload capability of 1.3x for upto 30 minutes assuming the battery system is robust enough to supply what it needs.
Now a Renogy is not going to run at 1.3x for 30 mins so you may be able to get away with less. But with higher performance inverters they can pull a lot of current and 4/0 is the "safe option".
