Inverter install and how to tie in.

[Shaunc]

I have installed a new 6000w inverter in my boat.

I am in the energy efficient home build business and was given an inverter that is good for off the grid type install and they said it would work well on my boat.

I have it installed from the house bank with 8ft 0/2 cables with a ANL breaker on the positive.
It has the ability to be hard wired and 4 outlets on the inverter. I have tested running my fridge and other kitchen appliances on an extension cord and it works great.

Now I need to hard wire it to the panel. I don't need to run ac, water heater etc and can turn off those breakers.

Any suggestions to hard wire it to the panel and the best method of doing it without tearing up my panels and reinventing the wheel?

 

[riverrandy]

One way would be to have a separate panel with the items you want to run off inverter with disconnect and all so would not "cross connect" with Generator or Shore Power (grid).

I have seen it done where a breaker is added to the main panel from the supply (inverter) and only desired items are turned on via breaker one at a time until load is reached. Not a fan of this as others might not understand it, but it can work.

 

[Pascal]

House inverters lack the N to G bonding required by ABYC when the inverter is in inverter mode.

I also believe 2/0 cables are too small at 8’. From what I recall a 4000 W inverter requires 4/0 for 8’ cables

As to hard wiring, it s going to require some modification on your panel. If your inverter doubles as auto transfer switch then all you have to do is split your bus to group the loads you want to be inverter powered (fridges, lights, TVs, outlets...). Add a Breaker to the Non inverter powered section (stove, charger, water heater etc ). Send power from that breaker to the inverter inout and then hook up the inverter output to the inverter powered section. You need to do the same with the neutral bus too although without the breakers

If your non marine inverter doesn’t have transfer switch, then you need to replace your rotary switch to add the inverter as a source and make sure you turn off heavy loads breakers.

 

[SEVEN]

Don’t forget the fuse. Also 8’ seems to be a long run for those wires. Check the specs. Also agree with the above post.

 

[Boatsb]

You need a marine inverter and with 6000 Watts on a 12-volt or even 24 volt system you need 4 / 0 wire

It should easily wire in as a pass-through on one of your 50 amp lines if it's a proper Marine inverter

 

[Toolsntoys]

The best video I seen on this subject is from Jeff cote of pacific yacht systems I would recommend you watch all of his videos on utube about this subject.

 

[Shaunc]

Thanks guys

I have been working with the manufacturer and the recommend 2/0 cables and the cables are doubled up so I am running 2 cables from positive and negative with 2 250 ANL breakers at the batteries.

There is a ground that runs from the inverter to my bonding so I am able to ground it out.

The inverter does not double as an auto transfer. I was thinking along the lines that Pascal mentioned. I have a few spare 240V breakers and I was going to hook it up to that and then split the load to the 2 sides and then just shut of the items I don't want to be powered by the inverter.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I hope I'm misunderstanding your method of hooking this up to the panel. Do not back feed it through a 240v breaker into the panel. That would be dangerous and a fire hazard.

You could, however, feed it into the system like any other source such as a second generator but it must exclude the option of choosing any other source so you need a rotary switch or another source breaker with a safety slide depending on how your panel is set up.

 

[Pascal]

If you read my post again you will see that what I suggested is not what you just described. You should never feed a panel thru an existing open breaker as this will back feed the panel. Sooner or later a breaker will be flipped the wrong way...

 

[Boatsb]

Pull it all out ans start over.

Get someone who knows how to do it and get it done right.

I supply drawings, layouts, programming and interfacing information before I sell and install a system.

The information your getting here is not 100% complete and up to date. Its also not current as most posters are not doing this kind of work every day.

Newer and more efficient inverters are installed every day. Find someone who knows how and be safe.4

 

[krush]

In house installations, it is acceptable to back feed a generator into a main panel through a breaker PROVIDED an interlock is installed to ensure the panel supply main breaker is open.

On a boat, just wire the inverter as another source like an extra generator with a rotary switch or breakers with slid lockout. Or do the right thing and get an inverter with a passthrough built in.

 

[Shaunc]

I have a spare 240v breaker that I was going to use after the installing a new rotary switch. Any suggestions on a good switch to use?