Hello everyone. Can't say I have any real experience with solar panels. I did drive an 8' ground rod in and have someone wire up a panel box for me once. I have been reading a lot this past week about amps, volts, parallel, series, and wire gauges.
I've realized my error a bit too late but hindsight is always clear. I could have done much worse. My first (well second) purchase was a 4Kw 12v Aims Inverter. It was a $500 discount amazon purchase. I'm honestly just hoping it arrives in functional order and I will be pretty tickled. It was "used very good" condition defined as "damaged packaging". According to terms the item might be slightly used but should be functional.
Now I need your help to build a system around it and avoid any more pitfalls along the way. My household usage is about 2kw/hour so in theory I could power my house from this inverter right? I don't want to go all that far just yet. For now I want to assemble the components for a 26' box truck to RV conversion power system.
I am thinking it should be capable of 500W an hour. I am looking at LiFePo4 batteries in the 300 Ah range. Most quality ones seem to have a 4 in parallel limit. Again I see now why my 12v choice really limited me in growth.
I have not done a true energy audit aside from the ahem *current* power bill. Okay that was a bad joke but I hope at least one person laughs.
Minimum I want to budget constant power for
150W Fridge
150W 2 laptops
50w networking
150w random (led lighting, usb equipment, inverter, water pump)
Surgewise I want to have the ability to pull larger draws like Powertools, Microwave, Waterpot, Airfryer, ect.
I've done some lurking this week to better understand what I am getting into. I've been "wanting too" for years. I finally made the plunge. So far I'm in it 1k. Hopefully won't regret my choice of an Aims PICOGLF40W12V120V Inverter too much in the next decade. I think where it will bite me the most is in batteries and cable. I doubt I will ever push this thing past half it's continual rating much less it's 12k surge. Which I'm willing to bet isn't too smart on a 12v system under any circumstance.
My first regret is wondering if I can ever get cables that will safely transmit 4Kw from banks to inverter at 12v. So before anything goes boom pop ouch maybe I can get some advice?
CABLES & FUSE(S)
2 sets of 4/0 cables ordered cut to length and precrimped. (WindyNation amazon)
24" 3/8 and 5/16 lugs (for inverter connection)
12" with 5/16 lugs on both ends
Originally I was thinking 500 amp inline fuse on the positive wire from bank to inverter. After reading more about wiring I am wondering if this is even safe. My Inverter documentation said 4/0 under 12 feet. I was reading more about wire gauge and amperage ratings. Now I'm confused between what my manual tells me and what wiring charts say. I understand that temporary short surge amps exceeding capacity are "safe" but sustained amps doing so are not cool. I don't see any proper length of 4/0 wire that will transfer 500amps at 12v.
What should I do? I already bought high end of low tier equipment as it has been described. What's next? Perhaps a fuse that burns before my wires? What size will keep my wiring safe but let me get the most of my inverter? 200amp? From what I understand that would limit me to about 2400W on the AC side before it blows right? For safety I must also shorten the wires down to 1ft correct?
Can I go any higher? 300Amps and 9" cables? It looks like I might have to find someone to cut and recrimp my cables but at least I'll have more cables. 6" seems really short to be trying to link components with but it would get me to 400A@12v safely if I did the calculator right. Does that mean all lengths need to be 6 inches including between each battery? Also would I be able to get away with a 6" from battery to fuse then 6" from fuse to inverter for a total of 1 foot between battery and inverter? How about the negative. Would I need to run a second fuse, shunt, or disconnect on that line as well?
I know I made some mistakes already. The best I can do at this point is recognize my limitations and work within them. I don't really see myself ever hitting over 3Kw draw at any one time but it would be nice to run a circular saw if I wanted. I can't believe they even get away with selling 4Kw12v inverters sheeesh!
Yeah a lot of questions already and I am just getting started. The more I read the more questions I have I'm afraid. So as I stroll down the facepalm path knowing I'm going to hit a huge wall at the end. That is now showing itself in the battery department. I'm going to need big ones. So specifically I would like help with branding. I saw some reviews where they claimed the LiFePo4 batteries they were sold were actually Li-ion 18650 cell banks when they cut into it. These brands were FLLYROWER and Mose. I noticed both these brands claimed "newer bms" tech that allowed for unlimited parallel connections. I'm not sure if it means they are junk or why they would misrepresent them. They seemed to be in the same cost brackets as the weize and other brands. As a person who knows nothing aside from trojan as a top brand help school me on the new LiFePo4's please.
What are the economy class batteries 300-400 ah LiFePo4? I was looking at some Weize, Vatrer, and Ampere Time. I wouldn't be opposed to 400Ah batteries if they aren't too cost prohibitive. Suggestions too help me build a bank between 12k-20K Ah@12v. What am I trading off buying economy batteries as opposed to high end. What price ranges am I looking at for these 2 sizes of batteries on the high and low ends?
Second battery question. How to accumulate them without saving up $6k for an all at once purchase. From what I understand unused they don't really deplete very rapidly. Could I in theory buy one every 2-3 months keeping them unused until I get 4 of them. Will this help me avoid the mismatched syndrome? I'm guessing they have some way of storing them in a warehouse before they get to me. What is the standard for long term storage if not using them?
Last question for now.
I want to test the inverter for basic functionality when it arrives. I don't think that will require a lot of amps or at least I hope not. I have a standard 12v car battery I'm not too attached to and it holds a charge. For testing purposes do you think it would be safe to wire up the 120ac output with an outlet and a 6 watt USB lightstrip on a surge protector? That shouldn't draw any massive amps to fry 4/0 24" cables on the 12v side of things should it? I know that sounds like pretty assinine question but I've never hooked up an inverter. There shouldn't be anything in there drawing massive loads if there isn't anything plugged into it asking for one correct?
Yeah I'm a newbie so what. At least I'm old enough now to ask for help lol! Seriously though thanks for any helpful advice on how to proceed without killing myself or my equipment. I'm hoping I didn't jump in over my head but when I saw an old hippy with alligator clips everywhere and multi-sized batteries stacked up on bookshelves in the bedroom I knew i could do worse. I'm usually pretty good at absorbing information. If anything I am prone to overanalyzing it. I should have read more about it but I was getting advice from an old hippy who told me 12v is just fine for 3-6Kw systems. Then I got home and saw the inverter on the steal of a deal shelf. Where I come from the high low end is about as good as it get after all. Sure beats a plug in car inverter and alligator clips. What I really need now is someone besides the hippy to give me a bit of advice and direction.
Edit: I don't have panels or any of the rest yet. My plan is to start with inverter and bank then move on to the panels. In an emergency this will at least let me use my genset efficiently until I get the full system built.
I've realized my error a bit too late but hindsight is always clear. I could have done much worse. My first (well second) purchase was a 4Kw 12v Aims Inverter. It was a $500 discount amazon purchase. I'm honestly just hoping it arrives in functional order and I will be pretty tickled. It was "used very good" condition defined as "damaged packaging". According to terms the item might be slightly used but should be functional.
Now I need your help to build a system around it and avoid any more pitfalls along the way. My household usage is about 2kw/hour so in theory I could power my house from this inverter right? I don't want to go all that far just yet. For now I want to assemble the components for a 26' box truck to RV conversion power system.
I am thinking it should be capable of 500W an hour. I am looking at LiFePo4 batteries in the 300 Ah range. Most quality ones seem to have a 4 in parallel limit. Again I see now why my 12v choice really limited me in growth.
I have not done a true energy audit aside from the ahem *current* power bill. Okay that was a bad joke but I hope at least one person laughs.
Minimum I want to budget constant power for
150W Fridge
150W 2 laptops
50w networking
150w random (led lighting, usb equipment, inverter, water pump)
Surgewise I want to have the ability to pull larger draws like Powertools, Microwave, Waterpot, Airfryer, ect.
I've done some lurking this week to better understand what I am getting into. I've been "wanting too" for years. I finally made the plunge. So far I'm in it 1k. Hopefully won't regret my choice of an Aims PICOGLF40W12V120V Inverter too much in the next decade. I think where it will bite me the most is in batteries and cable. I doubt I will ever push this thing past half it's continual rating much less it's 12k surge. Which I'm willing to bet isn't too smart on a 12v system under any circumstance.
My first regret is wondering if I can ever get cables that will safely transmit 4Kw from banks to inverter at 12v. So before anything goes boom pop ouch maybe I can get some advice?
CABLES & FUSE(S)
2 sets of 4/0 cables ordered cut to length and precrimped. (WindyNation amazon)
24" 3/8 and 5/16 lugs (for inverter connection)
12" with 5/16 lugs on both ends
Originally I was thinking 500 amp inline fuse on the positive wire from bank to inverter. After reading more about wiring I am wondering if this is even safe. My Inverter documentation said 4/0 under 12 feet. I was reading more about wire gauge and amperage ratings. Now I'm confused between what my manual tells me and what wiring charts say. I understand that temporary short surge amps exceeding capacity are "safe" but sustained amps doing so are not cool. I don't see any proper length of 4/0 wire that will transfer 500amps at 12v.
What should I do? I already bought high end of low tier equipment as it has been described. What's next? Perhaps a fuse that burns before my wires? What size will keep my wiring safe but let me get the most of my inverter? 200amp? From what I understand that would limit me to about 2400W on the AC side before it blows right? For safety I must also shorten the wires down to 1ft correct?
Can I go any higher? 300Amps and 9" cables? It looks like I might have to find someone to cut and recrimp my cables but at least I'll have more cables. 6" seems really short to be trying to link components with but it would get me to 400A@12v safely if I did the calculator right. Does that mean all lengths need to be 6 inches including between each battery? Also would I be able to get away with a 6" from battery to fuse then 6" from fuse to inverter for a total of 1 foot between battery and inverter? How about the negative. Would I need to run a second fuse, shunt, or disconnect on that line as well?
I know I made some mistakes already. The best I can do at this point is recognize my limitations and work within them. I don't really see myself ever hitting over 3Kw draw at any one time but it would be nice to run a circular saw if I wanted. I can't believe they even get away with selling 4Kw12v inverters sheeesh!
Yeah a lot of questions already and I am just getting started. The more I read the more questions I have I'm afraid. So as I stroll down the facepalm path knowing I'm going to hit a huge wall at the end. That is now showing itself in the battery department. I'm going to need big ones. So specifically I would like help with branding. I saw some reviews where they claimed the LiFePo4 batteries they were sold were actually Li-ion 18650 cell banks when they cut into it. These brands were FLLYROWER and Mose. I noticed both these brands claimed "newer bms" tech that allowed for unlimited parallel connections. I'm not sure if it means they are junk or why they would misrepresent them. They seemed to be in the same cost brackets as the weize and other brands. As a person who knows nothing aside from trojan as a top brand help school me on the new LiFePo4's please.
What are the economy class batteries 300-400 ah LiFePo4? I was looking at some Weize, Vatrer, and Ampere Time. I wouldn't be opposed to 400Ah batteries if they aren't too cost prohibitive. Suggestions too help me build a bank between 12k-20K Ah@12v. What am I trading off buying economy batteries as opposed to high end. What price ranges am I looking at for these 2 sizes of batteries on the high and low ends?
Second battery question. How to accumulate them without saving up $6k for an all at once purchase. From what I understand unused they don't really deplete very rapidly. Could I in theory buy one every 2-3 months keeping them unused until I get 4 of them. Will this help me avoid the mismatched syndrome? I'm guessing they have some way of storing them in a warehouse before they get to me. What is the standard for long term storage if not using them?
Last question for now.
I want to test the inverter for basic functionality when it arrives. I don't think that will require a lot of amps or at least I hope not. I have a standard 12v car battery I'm not too attached to and it holds a charge. For testing purposes do you think it would be safe to wire up the 120ac output with an outlet and a 6 watt USB lightstrip on a surge protector? That shouldn't draw any massive amps to fry 4/0 24" cables on the 12v side of things should it? I know that sounds like pretty assinine question but I've never hooked up an inverter. There shouldn't be anything in there drawing massive loads if there isn't anything plugged into it asking for one correct?
Yeah I'm a newbie so what. At least I'm old enough now to ask for help lol! Seriously though thanks for any helpful advice on how to proceed without killing myself or my equipment. I'm hoping I didn't jump in over my head but when I saw an old hippy with alligator clips everywhere and multi-sized batteries stacked up on bookshelves in the bedroom I knew i could do worse. I'm usually pretty good at absorbing information. If anything I am prone to overanalyzing it. I should have read more about it but I was getting advice from an old hippy who told me 12v is just fine for 3-6Kw systems. Then I got home and saw the inverter on the steal of a deal shelf. Where I come from the high low end is about as good as it get after all. Sure beats a plug in car inverter and alligator clips. What I really need now is someone besides the hippy to give me a bit of advice and direction.
Edit: I don't have panels or any of the rest yet. My plan is to start with inverter and bank then move on to the panels. In an emergency this will at least let me use my genset efficiently until I get the full system built.
Last edited: