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Hey all, Recently purchased a Xantrex Freedom X 1800w inverter off Ebay. I have a Freedom X 1000w currently. Any tips/tricks/comments I need to know before I swap this? Always appreciate any helpful comments.
With simple math, if the cables were sized right with the first unit, they will be too small for this one. You are almost doubling the potential current. As expensive as copper is, most installers do not oversize the cabling. That usually super sizes the estimate and people usually go with the cheapest seller.
I'm no electrician and I would not do it this way, but if you added an additional cable on the ground and positive sides, that might work for you. Might look unprofessional but electrons do not care which cable they flow on.
With simple math, if the cables were sized right with the first unit, they will be too small for this one. You are almost doubling the potential current. As expensive as copper is, most installers do not oversize the cabling. That usually super sizes the estimate and people usually go with the cheapest seller.
I'm no electrician and I would not do it this way, but if you added an additional cable on the ground and positive sides, that might work for you. Might look unprofessional but electrons do not care which cable they flow on.
Yes, I plan to check the cabling and replace it with 2/0 that is required for the DC side. Likely need to change the DC breaker as well to match the wire size. Appreciate the comments.
when I did mine, it just failed due to time and use, I just got the same one since it was beefy already. I put it in the same spot and just moved the cable to the same location in the new inverter.
Pretty straight forward of a job and mine was placed in an excellent location to work on it.
Momentary confusion on my part, Invertor-convertor, one provides 120V the other charges the battery, which I thought why would it matter charge rate is the same. What was said above about the wire gauge size is correct since it draws current from the battery and the more current the larger the wire size. DC current needs larger wire than AC current due to how the electrons flow. AC current flows equally between both wires, while DC flows positive to negative which is usually a short ground wire or direct to ground. You want 1/0 wire gauge for 1800 watts.
Put it in a place that is well ventilated, but also easily accessible for maintenance/troubleshooting. Close to the DC supply and the "right" sized wiring and breaker.
In the image below, you can see my Xantrex 2000w inverter to the left with a black case. If I remember correctly, that is 2/0 high quality copper wire with tinned copper lugs. There is a 2 piece cover that goes over all of this stuff while in motion or not being looked at. I also have port holes or peep holes so I can see the status lights quickly without going to the apps or taking anything apart.
Momentary confusion on my part, Invertor-convertor, one provides 120V the other charges the battery, which I thought why would it matter charge rate is the same. What was said above about the wire gauge size is correct since it draws current from the battery and the more current the larger the wire size. DC current needs larger wire than AC current due to how the electrons flow. AC current flows equally between both wires, while DC flows positive to negative which is usually a short ground wire or direct to ground. You want 1/0 wire gauge for 1800 watts.
According to the IM, 2/0 DC cable is required for 2000w inverter.
Put it in a place that is well ventilated, but also easily accessible for maintenance/troubleshooting. Close to the DC supply and the "right" sized wiring and breaker.
In the image below, you can see my Xantrex 2000w inverter to the left with a black case. If I remember correctly, that is 2/0 high quality copper wire with tinned copper lugs. There is a 2 piece cover that goes over all of this stuff while in motion or not being looked at. I also have port holes or peep holes so I can see the status lights quickly without going to the apps or taking anything apart.
Thanks Sous. Very clean install. My existing inverter is mounted to the ceiling of the storage bay. Very well ventilated. I plan to keep the same mounting position. I checked the existing wire size and that will need to be upgraded as well as the breaker. i'll be going on Amazon today to get those parts.
@Sous If those are the cheap Chinese circuit breakers I would get rid of them. I purchased 4, warrantied 2, and eventually threw all of mine away. The voltage drop across the breakers was well over a volt. Easy enough to check to confirm you are not losing voltage across the breaker. The breakers would also trip too soon too.
Good for you that you are not a cheap a$$ like me if they are the good quality versions.
@Sous If those are the cheap Chinese circuit breakers I would get rid of them. I purchased 4, warrantied 2, and eventually through all of mine away. The voltage drop across the breakers was well over a volt. Easy enough to check to confirm you are not losing voltage across the breaker. The breakers would also trip too soon too.
Good for you that you are not a cheap a$$ like me if they are the good quality versions.
They are not the high end breakers, but they are not el cheapo CHINA bombs either. They are middle of the road that had 4+ star reviews. They have been in use and functioning properly since 2018 or so. I have used them a couple of times to isolate the circuits and then make the connection by closing the relay and they are still going strong.
Thanks for the heads up as your words may be a life saver for someone else going through the same struggles you had.
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