Sizing Wires & Breakers/Fuses

[John Frum]

If I double up 1/0 wire between the battery and inverter, with a 250a fuse on both connections, that would be sufficient to carry 400+ amps?

Yes each wire can handle 200 amps continuous.
Which is 250 fault amps.

 

[jsmit209]

Yes each wire can handle 200 amps continuous.
Which is 250 fault amps.

How would you handle wiring the batteries together? What wire size there?

 

[John Frum]

How would you handle wiring the batteries together? What wire size there?

Do theses batteries have a Bluetooth interface?

 

[jsmit209]

Do theses batteries have a Bluetooth interface?

They don't. These are Ampere Time 12v 200ah, with a 100a BMS.

 

[zulu]

OP, you are getting a lot of bad (ie, incorrect) advice. For example, 4/0 MTW cable can handle over 400A @ 105 degrees C. Check out X-Flex power supply cable from Cobra Wire & Cable.

Suggest you check out other sources of solar info . . .

• Chad Heiser (CA RV solar installer) - look at the MANY install diagrams on his site.
• EXPLORIST.life - Nate has plenty of good advice, online videos, and detailed schematics (albeit for a price).

 

[OffGridForGood]

OP, you are getting a lot of bad (ie, incorrect) advice. For example, 4/0 MTW cable can handle over 400A @ 105 degrees C. Check out X-Flex power supply cable from Cobra Wire & Cable.

Suggest you check out other sources of solar info . . .

• Chad Heiser (CA RV solar installer) - look at the MANY install diagrams on his site.
• EXPLORIST.life - Nate has plenty of good advice, online videos, and detailed schematics (albeit for a price).

For 3kW, I suggest going with higher DC voltage system, and smaller wire, lower operating temperatures, safer, less costly smaller diameter wires are easier to work with.

 

[John Frum]

They don't. These are Ampere Time 12v 200ah, with a 100a BMS.

How bout getting a 2000 watt inverter instead of the 3000?
Do you have a use case that requires 3000 ac watts?

 

[jsmit209]

How bout getting a 2000 watt inverter instead of the 3000?
Do you have a use case that requires 3000 ac watts?

AC, induction cooktop, and potentially an air fryer/oven

 

[John Frum]

AC, induction cooktop, and potentially an air fryer/oven

Just tested my instant pot and it pulls 1560 watts in air fryer mode.
Less in pressure cook mode.

I'm pretty sure you can get an induction cooktop that will draw less than 2000 ac watts.

 

[jsmit209]

Just tested my instant pot and it pulls 1560 watts in air fryer mode.
Less in pressure cook mode.

I'm pretty sure you can get an induction cooktop that will draw less than 2000 ac watts.

I'd very much prefer not to under-size any of my components from the start. Even if a 2000W inverter would be marginally sufficient now, I would be constrained from adding anything else.

 

[John Frum]

I'd very much prefer not to under-size any of my components from the start. Even if a 2000W inverter would be marginally sufficient now, I would be constrained from adding anything else.

Going above 300 fault amps really makes things a pain.
Have you decided on a specific inverter?
Ampere time makes 24 volt batteries, just fyi.

 

[jsmit209]

Going above 300 fault amps really makes things a pain.
Have you decided on a specific inverter?
Ampere time makes 24 volt batteries, just fyi.

I already have the 4x 200ah 12v batteries, but I can wire them 2s2p for a 400ah 24v system. I've purchased a 12v 3000W inverter, but I can return it for a 24v one.

I'd need to buy a converter to step down the voltage from 24v to 12v for my fan, fridge, lights, DC charging ports, etc.

Do you know if two Renogy 12v 40a DC-DC charger can be wired in series to charge a 24v battery bank?

 

[John Frum]

I already have the 4x 200ah 12v batteries, but I can wire them 2s2p for a 400ah 24v system.

Then you have the problem of batteries in series drifting out of balance.

I've purchased a 12v 3000W inverter, but I can return it for a 24v one.

Please provide a product link.

I'd need to buy a converter to step down the voltage from 24v to 12v for my fan, fridge, lights, DC charging ports, etc.

Yep.

Do you know if two Renogy 12v 40a DC-DC charger can be wired in series to charge a 24v battery bank?

I don't.
I stay away from Renogy products.
Some of the products are ok but the service/support is not good.

 

[RV8R]

I already have the 4x 200ah 12v batteries, but I can wire them 2s2p for a 400ah 24v system. I've purchased a 12v 3000W inverter, but I can return it for a 24v one.

I'd need to buy a converter to step down the voltage from 24v to 12v for my fan, fridge, lights, DC charging ports, etc.

Do you know if two Renogy 12v 40a DC-DC charger can be wired in series to charge a 24v battery bank?

I’m new here as well. If I were you, I would create a schematic electrical drawing & post it on this thread. That way we can help you out better.

If you are looking for a wire size chart for a van, Blue Sea has a decent one & a calculator. Also Wire Barn.

Pros & Cons to every decision, but I like where you are going with the 24v. I have a Victron 12 | 3000 | 120 (since 2018), but never installed it.

Much of the 24v decision for me would be “how are you gonna charge it”.

 

[jsmit209]

Then you have the problem of batteries in series drifting out of balance

Well, damn. I didn't realize this was an issue as well.

 

[jsmit209]

Please provide a product link.

3000W inverter

 

[RV8R]

FYI;

Your Victron 100 | 50 is both 12v & 24v ?

 

[jsmit209]

FYI;

Your Victron 100 | 50 is both 12v & 24v ?

Yep! Just trying to solve the DC-DC charging situation from the alternator. I accidentally bought two Renogy 40a 12v DC-DC chargers. Trying to figure out if they can be wired to provide 24v charge.

 

[RV8R]

Yep! Just trying to solve the DC-DC charging situation from the alternator. I accidentally bought two Renogy 40a 12v DC-DC chargers. Trying to figure out if they can be wired to provide 24v charge.

Hmmmm ?

I think yo are talkng about “parallel“ & “parallel” affects amps not volts.

 

[RV8R]

What type of Van & roughly where are you located?