What DC breaker for inverter?

[belfert]

The DC breaker for my inverter physically broke.  Is the Buss MRCB a good breaker, or is something else better?

[Melbo]

If I remember correctly SquareD QO breakers are rated for DC current

Please check before using one.

HTH

Melbo

[Utahclaimjumper]

 Mine just uses a 300 amp fuse.>>>Dan

[TomC]

300-400amp inline fuse is the way-fuse will blow quicker than a circuit breaker.

[richard5933]

Inline fuse on ours as well. We carry spares but to date have not needed one.

[DominicM]

I don't mean to steel the thread, but where would I install an inverter. All my engine generator powers is the lights and charge the battery.  The PO would power up the generator anytime he drove anywhere so that he would have AC, radio or any comforts for the passengers. It appears that big generator on the engine is under utilized only charging the batteries and powering the headlights/ signal lights.  What size inverter is recommended that will not overdraw?

[neoneddy]

If you have a 50DN alternator it's something like 270 amps and puts out 28-29 volts, that translates to over 7000 watts.

I know a few people here run two ACs on a 4000 watt inverter.

I run a 3000 watt now, I mounted mine in the bay with my house batteries and solar charger and power cords.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Iceni John]

My Magnum MS2000 inverter has a 250 amp ANL fuse in a VTE fuse holder  - simple, cheap, works just fine.   Five of those fuses were less than $10 on eBay.

Yes, QO breakers are DC-compatible, but so are Carling C-Series, and they take much less space than QOs.   I'm going to use Carling Cs for my DC and AC breaker panels, and I already have four of them for my solar panels' charge controllers.   I like 'em.

John  

[belfert]

To clarify, I need at least a 200 amp DC breaker.  Neither Carling nor Square D QO will work so far as I know.  Xantrex specifies a 200 amp breaker for RV use and a 250 amp breaker for marine use.  (No idea why smaller for RV than for marine.)  My current breaker is 225 amps.

I really want a breaker instead of a fuse so I can shut off power to the inverter if necessary.  My understanding is an inverter should have a T class slow blow fuse and not an ANL fuse.  I guess I could just disconnect a fuse.

[TomC]

Position an inverter close to the house batteries since DC doesn't travel well. I bought an Magnum 2812 pure sine wave. I was going to install it in the circuit breaker box cabinet, but now going to install in the basement to have it as close to the house batteries as possible. Going to use 4- Lifeline GPL-6CT 6v batteries for a total of 600amp/hrs at 12v. These batteries are 90lbs each, as compared to the 165lbs of my 8D's that are 255amp/hrs. Good Luck, TomC

[buswarrior]

I bought all my inverter goodies through these folks:

  https://www.altestore.com/store/

Huge online library, lots of hardware to choose from.

Been around from before it was fashionable...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[oltrunt]

Since it already came up I'll muddy the fuse issue a little more.  I feed my 3000 watt inverter over a 10" run of 1/0 welding wire.  The circuit is protected at the battery with a 300 amp fuse.  The 12v system feeds from the inverter's power input bar via #8 wire.  So far so good.  However, on the 12v air compressor battery the same 300 amp fuse developed stress fatigue and dropped off the battery effectively shutting off the air compressor.  Once the air pressure dropped the door was sucked open at 60 mph--a REALLY frightening experience even though no harm came of it.  The point of all this is that if you use the fuse method for protection, be sure the wiring is well supported.  Jack