Quote:
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Originally Posted by Mark620
Just becareful of extension cords...
some have a very thin wire(small awg)
I have seen 100 ft extension cords labled as heavy duty rated for
15 amps and the wire is only 18AWG...
even on AC there is voltage loss and heat generated.
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So what safe AWG do you suggest I use for the wiring that runs the
110vAC from the inverter to dash?
I have to options for running the 110vAC from the inverter to the dash.
Since I'll be running the inverter from the back of the cabin behind the
bench seat -- I'll have to get it to the front of the cabin where the dash is
somehow. I can only see 3 options to do this:
NOTE: These options aren't going to apply to the 12vDC cable; I'm going
to run that on the underbelly of the truck in weatherproof heavy duty
insulated plastic conduit. These options only apply for me getting the
110vAC line from the back of the cabin to the dash.
* 1) Run the 110vAC line from the back of the cabin to the where the dash
is located under the carpet. I could lift the carpet up and put the wiring
under it. This would be the most simple, but the most questionable in fire
saftey. I don't know how much the cable could heat up and risk a fire
being under the carpet. That's why I asked what AWG I should use for this
wire.
* 2) Run it along the underbelly of the truck the same way I'll run the
12vDC. Have it exit the back of the cabin through a dremeled hole, and
run through plastic conduit on the underbelly and then enter in the front
by the gas/break pedals.
* 3.) Somehow run it along the cieling, but I don't think this would be easy
the way my truck is made, and it could turn out to look ugly if anything
shows.
Which option do you think is best safest, and most of all, what AWG should
the 110vAC wiring be?
I mentioned conduit for protection. It's some heavy duty plastic outdoor
conduit used conditions where wiring will be exposed to weather. It's
completley water proof plastic conduit. Any wiring that I plan to run on the
underbelly of the truck I will use this conduit to keep water/dirt away from
the wiring. This conduit will be used mostly for the 12vDC from the
battery to the cabin for the inverter. However, it must also be used if I run
110vAC under the cabin as well.
Here's what the conduit looks like. It's very stiff, and not easy to bend. I'll
secure it to the vehicle with tie wraps. I'm figuring applying 2 tie wraps
every 2-3 feet to keep the conduit secured to the underbelly of the
vehicle. I will avoid routing the conduit near any mechanical locations such as the drive train where the conduit could be wore down or damaged.
Summary for items I need to buy thus far:
* Screws/nuts to bolt inverter to the back of cabin
* Inverter (Took the old one back so I can get one that has mounting holes)
* BATTERY TO INVERTER (3-4 AWG wire, at most 8 AWG) to run between
battery and inverter. (Manual for old inverter suggested 8AWG for runs to
10ft. ;; 12AWG for 4 feet or less. I'll be safe and aim for 3-4 AWG wire.)
* 75 Amp fuse and fuse fuse distribution block thing. I'll add the fuse
within a foot or less of the battery on the + (positive) line.
* INVERTER TO OUTLET (110vAC) ????? AWG for the wiring taking 110vAC
from the inverter to dash (this run of cable could be up to 10-12 feet from
the bench seat to the dash.)
* Heavy duty large tie wraps for conduit securing on underbelly
* Shrink wrap to cover all connections.
I plan to take plenty of pictures during the assembly and perhaps I'll
create an article of how-to so an admin can post it on the sites homepage under howto.