Installing a Power Inverter in Your Cabin
If you have a remote cabin that you would like to power with alternative energy, you’ll probably want to know how to install a power inverter. It’s actually a very simple job and requires minimal skills.
There are some things you should keep in mind when doing the installation. The first is choosing a good location to install the power inverter. You should install the power inverter in an area that is protected from the weather but you want to make sure that it has plenty of ventilation. A common mistake that people make when installing power inverters is to install them directly over the battery bank. This is not only dangerous but it can harm the power inverter as well. Lead acid batteries produce hydrogen gas when charging. Hydrogen is very explosive and if you install your power inverter directly over your battery bank, there is a risk explosion. This gas may also corrode the sensitive electronic circuitry of the power inverter.
Another thing to keep in mind when installing a power inverter at your cabin is to use adequate wiring. The wiring between the power inverter and your battery bank should be very heavy gauge. The longer the distance between the power inverter and the battery, the heavier the gauge of wire must be. It’s a good idea to solder the terminal ends on the wires. This will provide the best connection and the least resistance.
It’s also a good idea to install a fuse between the positive terminal of your battery bank and the positive terminal on your power inverter. This will protect your power inverter in the event an electrical problem. Most high quality power inverters are equipped with protection fuses but some of them require that you disassemble the power inverter in order to get to them. Taking the time to install an inline fuse may save you a lot of time and trouble in the long run.