Escapees July-August 2024

speci fi c to an inverter’s size and power. Be sure to read the user’s manual for space recommendations before purchas ing and installing this component. • Additional Parts and Wiring: Depending on your installation, you may need: AC wiring, household extension cord, fuses, bus bars, transfer switch, split panel, electrical boxes, electrical connections and any necessary tools. It’s a good idea to work these into your overall schematic, so that there is enough room in your solar cabinet for all of these additional parts.

“…there are many things to consider when deciding which inverter to buy and how to install a pure sine wave inverter in an RV…”

For AC Wiring

Type NM Cable Used for AC Household Wiring (Copper Wire Conductors) Wire Size (AWG) Amperage Rating 14AWG 15 12AWG 20 10AWG 30 8AWG 40 6AWG 50

For more information about installing a battery inverter, inverter charger and disconnect ing your existing converter, scan this QR code and read the blog for details.

SHARI GALIARDI & DAVID HUTCHISON In 2012, Shari and David left behind careers and a home in North Carolina to travel with a vintage camper trailer they lovingly restored and out fi tted with solar and named “Hamlet.”What began as a short break from careers and responsibility quickly turned into a love a ff air with road life. They have parlayed their higher education back grounds, desire for life-long learning and thirst for adventure travel into writing, photography, video production and public speaking gigs from coast to coast. Known to their friends as simply Shari & Hutch, you can learn about their full-time, solar-powered adventures at freedominacan.com. Or, follow them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube as “Freedom in a Can, LLC.” If you’re going to go off-grid with your RV, even for a short time, it simply makes sense to install an inverter. We simply couldn’t manage our off-grid life and small, mobile business in the same way without our 700W inverter! RV Inverter Installation Guide While there are many things to consider when deciding which inverter to buy and how to install a pure sine wave inverter in an RV, we hope this guide helps narrow it down to a few simple questions. Consider the following: How often are you going to use your RV off-grid? How many appliances do you want to run while off-grid? And how do you want to integrate your inverter into yourRV?

For DC Wiring

WIRECHART Total Length of Wire or Cable

2'

4'

6'

8'

10'

12'

14'

16'

20'

24'

28'

34'

42'

50'

10 16ga 16ga 16ga 14ga 14ga 14ga 12ga 12ga 10ga 10ga 10ga 8ga 8ga 6ga

15 16ga 16ga 14ga 14ga 14ga 12ga 10ga 10ga 8ga 8ga 8ga 6ga 6ga 6ga

20 16ga 14ga 14ga 12ga 12ga 10ga 10ga 8ga 8ga 8ga 6ga 6ga 4ga 4ga

25 14ga 14ga 12ga 10ga 10ga 10ga 8ga 8ga 6ga 6ga 6ga 4ga 4ga 2ga

30 14ga 14ga 12ga 10ga 10ga 8ga 8ga 8ga 6ga 6ga 4ga 4ga 2ga 2ga

40 14ga 12ga 10ga 8ga 8ga 8ga 6ga 6ga 4ga 4ga 4ga 2ga 2ga 1ga

50 12ga 12ga 10ga 8ga 6ga 6ga 6ga 4ga 4ga 4ga 2ga 2ga 1ga 1/0

60 12ga 10ga 8ga 8ga 6ga 6ga 4ga 4ga 4ga 2ga 2ga 1ga 1/0 1/0

70 12ga 10ga 8ga 6ga 6ga 4ga 4ga 4ga 2ga 2ga 2ga 1ga 1/0 2/0

80 12ga 8ga 8ga 6ga 4ga 4ga 4ga 2ga 2ga 2ga 1ga 1/0 2/0 2/0

90 12ga 8ga 6ga 6ga 4ga 4ga 2ga 2ga 2ga 1ga 1/0 1/0 2/0 3/0

100 10ga 8ga 6ga 4ga 4ga 4ga 2ga 2ga 1ga 1ga 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0

120 10ga 8ga 6ga 4ga 4ga 2ga 2ga 2ga 1ga 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0 4/0

140 10ga 6ga 4ga 4ga 2ga 2ga 2ga 1ga 1/0 2/0 2/0 3/0 4/0 2-2/0

AMPERAGE

160 8ga 6ga 4ga 2ga 2ga 2ga 1ga 1/0 2/0 2/0 3/0 4/0

2-2/0 2-3/0

180 8ga 6ga 4ga 2ga 2ga 1ga 1/0 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0

2-2/0 2-2/0 2-3/0

200 8ga 4ga 4ga 2ga 1ga 1ga 1/0 2/0 3/0 3/0 4/0

2-2/0 2-3/0 2-4/0

250 6ga 4ga 2ga 1ga 1/0 1/0 2/0 3/0 3/0 4/0

2-2/0 2-3/0 2-4/0 2-4/0

300 6ga 4ga 2ga 1ga 1/0 2/0 3/0 3/0 4/0

2-2/0 2-3/0 2-4/0 2-4/0

350 6ga 2ga 1ga 1/0 2/0 3/0 3/0 4/0

2-2/0 2-3/0 2-3/0 2-4/0

400 4ga 2ga 1ga 2/0 3/0 3/0 4/0

2-2/0 2-3/0 2-3/0 2-4/0

450 4ga 2ga 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0 4/0

2-2/0 2-3/0 2-4/0 2-4/0

500 4ga 1ga 1/0 3/0 4/0 4/0

2-2/0 2-3/0 2-3/0 2-4/0

Divide amperage by 2 if using a 24-volt system.

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ESCAPEES Magazine July/August 2024