Electrical wiring thoughts and feed back appreciated.

[scanzel]

I am in the process of doing my electrical wiring. I have a 50 amp square D QO panel that will feed everything. A 100 amp Kraus Naimer rotary switch will switch between 50 amp shore, 9 kw diesel generator and 4000 watt inverter feeding from 8 agm 400 ah battery bank. I am trying to decide the best way to feed everything to the switch. The inverter needs 30 amps for a feed then I need to feed back to the switch, I also need to feed the generator to the switch. The generator and battery bank will be in the front bays, generator on drivers side, batteries on passenger side. Main 50 amp panel is in the back area about 2/3 the way back from the front about 25' total. My question is what I should use for wire. I looked at individual THHN 8 or 6 awg in conduit but a lot of work with conduit, looked at aluminum MC 8/4 but very expensive but would be easier to install, also looked at 6/4 SOOW power cord which is very flexible and easy to route. The 50 amp shore will be right next to the panel, my biggest concern is the wiring from the front generator, feed to and from the inverter. All thoughts and feedback are appreciated. Thank you. Steve C.

[TomC]

I also used SquareD boxes. The main breaker box has 4-50amp breakers-2 for shore, 2 for generator. My 10kw gen is wired for straight 120vac. And everything else is wired for straight 120vac. Hence, when hooked to 50amp campsite, I can only use one leg of the 50amp plug-which has been quite sufficient (I like it so much, I'm wiring my truck like this). With the gen and everything wired for straight 120vac, you don't have to worry about balancing the two legs when on the generator. I have the 2-50 amp breakers on shore power so if one leg goes, I can simply switch to the other leg. I built a slider out of heavy sheet metal so only the shore power or the generator can be switched on one at a time.

The main goes to the powered breaker box for all items not running off the inverter (the 3 roof tops, secondary water heater, refer, freezer, washer/dryer). In the breaker box I have a 30 amp breaker going to the inverter. The inverter powers a second breaker box that is for my inverter run items.(most plugs, primary water heater, bathroom heater). I don't run any big motor draws off the inverter. The entire system has worked very well for 19 years and am repeating it in my truck. Good Luck, TomC

[bevans6]

edit:  I was asleep when I read the OP, and answered a question that wasn't asked.  I don't know the answer to the question that was asked.  I did my bus in 30 amp largely to avoid such questions...   

Brian

[Emcemv]

Steve

Don't have all the answers for you but here is a place where I have found pretty good deals on wire

http://www.wireandsupply.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SO-0604-01&Show=TechSpecs

Bruce

[Emcemv]

Steve, just sent you a PM.


Bruce