5
Battery Connection
Connect your Inverter to your batteries using the following procedures:
WARNING!
• Failure to properly ground your Inverter to a vehicle’s chassis or earth ground may result in a lethal
electrical shock hazard.
• Never attempt to operate your Inverter by connecting it directly to output from an alternator rather than a
battery or battery bank.
• Observe proper polarity with all DC connections.
• Connect DC Wiring:
Though your Inverter is a high-efficiency
converter of electricity, its rated output capacity is limited by the
length and gauge of the cabling running from the battery to the
unit. Use the shortest length and largest diameter cabling
(maximum 4 AWG or 5 mm) to fit your Inverter’s DC Input
terminals. Shorter and heavier gauge cabling reduces DC voltage
drop and allows for maximum transfer of current. Your Inverter is
capable of delivering peak wattage at up to 200% of its rated
continuous wattage output for brief periods of time. Heavier
gauge cabling should be used when continuously operating
heavy draw equipment under these conditions. Tighten your
Inverter and battery terminals to approximately 3.5 Newton-
meters of torque to create an efficient connection and to prevent
excessive heating at this connection. Insufficient tightening of
the terminals could void your warranty. See Specifications for
Recommended Cable Sizing.
• Connect Ground:
Using a 12-18 AWG (1-2 mm) wire, directly
connect the Main Ground Screw to the vehicle’s chassis or earth
ground. See the Feature Identification section to locate the Main
Ground Screw. All installations must comply with national and
local codes and ordinances.
• Connect Fuse:
Tripp Lite recommends that you connect your
Inverter’s positive DC Terminal directly to a fuse(s) and fuse
block(s) within 45 cm (18 inches) of the battery. The fuse’s
rating must equal or exceed the Minimum DC Fuse Rating listed
in your Inverter’s specifications. See Specifications for fuse
recommendations. See diagrams below for proper fuse
placement.
Vehicular Applications
Your Inverter’s Nominal DC Input Voltage must match the voltage of your battery or batteries—12 Volts in most vehicular applications. It is
possible to connect your Inverter to the main battery within your vehicle’s electrical system. In many vehicular contexts, the Inverter will be
connected to one or more dedicated auxiliary (house) batteries which are isolated from the drive system to prevent possible draining of the
main battery.
1
12 Volt Alternator
2
Vehicle Battery Ground
3
12 Volt Main Battery
4
12 Volt Auxiliary (House)
Battery
5
UL or CE Approved
Fuses & Fuse Blocks
(mounted within 18
inches [45 cm] of the
battery)
6
Battery Isolator
7
Large Diameter Cabling,
Maximum 4 AWG or
5 mm to Fit Terminals
8
12-18 AWG (1-2 mm)
Ground Wire to Vehicle
Frame or Earth Ground
12 Volt Inverter
12 Volts
12 Volts
12 Volt Main Battery Connection—two DC terminals
12 Volt Inverter
12 Volts
12 Volts
12 Volts
12 Volt Main and Auxiliary (House) Battery Connection (Isolated Parallel)—two DC terminals
1
2
2
3
4
5
5
6
7
7
8
8
3
2
1
