Why does Oliver install grossly oversized cables for the inverter?

[John E Davies]

Does anyone know why they use such HUGE cables? My hull #217 has the 2000 watt inverter and 4/0 welding cable as big around as your thumb. Recommended cable size is 1/0, which is good for a 3500 watt unit. My positive cable has a 250 amp fuse. 4/0 cable is rated to carry 1200 amps up to 50 feet 😳
 

The bigger cable is twice as expensive ($8 per foot wholesale), way heavier and bulkier, awkward to cut, less avaialable and in general a really big PITA to work with. If they intended to upgrade the size in case of installing a larger inverter In the future, 2/0 gauge would be plenty big. Their cost savings would have been about $50 just for the wire, not including the more expensive terminals and the extra labor involved.....Here is what I have been working with- for scale that is a 1/2” cold chisel:

 

I am pretty perplexed. As an aircraft tech I can’t see a single positive benefit from this choice. But OTH a whole lot of the electrical installation in an Ollie confounds me.....Comments?

John Davies

Spokane WA

Edited June 16, 2020 by John E Davies

[mossemi]

One of the benefits of the 4/0 cable is that it is very hard to create a bird nest with it.  And we all know how much you like bird nest.😀
The 2000 watt Xantrex inverter actually has a surge rating of 3000 watts which requires a 250 amp fuse.  4/0 cable is rated for 600 amps at 9 feet in length.  Our battery to inverter cables are about 5 feet +/-.

I would expect about 5% of OTT owners would ever touch the 4/0 cables other than disconnecting the battery cable for storage or removal.

And while they are technically oversized, it’s another area where OTT's are overbuilt for our benefit and safety.

Mossey

[Overland]

Don't know, JD.  I know Victron required 4/0 for mine, or actually pairs of 1/0, but it's 3000w and I've got some long runs since it's placed in the forward dinette seat.