What Gauge Wire Should Be Used To Install A Samlex 1000W Inverter In A Truck With An In-Bed Camper

Updated 11/19/2024 | Published 11/17/2024

Products Featured in This Question

Pollak Single-Pole, Round Pin Trailer Wiring Connector - Trailer End

(25)

$46.43

Deka Hammer Crimper

(6)

$28.08

Question:

2013 Chevy Silverado 1500. Question regarding wiring the truck starter battery to power a slide-in camper situation. I had intended to run only 12v in the camper. I have 2 100AH lithiums with 300watts of solar and a RedArc 25. I installed a Pollack 2 pole socket connector in truck bed, and wiring connector tail on the camper side. I ran AWG6 wire with a 30A circuit breaker at starter battery, and ground to the chassis. The camper is wood frame no metal so i was trying to establish my ground. After the fact, I decided to add a small 1000W inverter to my system. Samlex calls for AWG2 from my cabin battery bank to the inverter only 3foot of run, 160A max continuous dc input, 200A min ampacity of cable. Now I am concerned my grounding is undersized? Should I bump up my AWG6 to AWG4 on my 2 pole connectors? Or change out the 2 pole for a Single pole connector that would accept AWG2 or larger? or just add the single pole for a separate ground? Or is it good as is? Any ideas or opinions would be appreciated. Thank you

asked by: Jerry C

Expert Reply:

Hey Jerry,

The power and ground wires should be the same gauge so if your Samlex 1000w inverter calls for 2 gauge wiring for the power the ground would also need to be 2 gauge wire. If you're going further than 3 feet with the wire while connecting it to the frame you would need to increase the gauge based on their chart:

3' - 2AWG
6' - 1/0AWG
10' - 3/0AWG

With these increased gauges you'll also need to pick up some large enough ring terminals and an anvil-style crimper # DW05410 to securely attach them. I would also check that your 2-pole connectors are rated for the amperage you're passing through them. You might need to go a bit higher gauge depending on the length that they have to run from the vehicle connection to the trailer connection.

expert reply by: Kevin C

Jerry C.

11/19/2024

Thank you for your response. I understand that the power and ground from the cabin battery bank to the inverter need to be the same gauge (2AWG). Just want to verify something: are you saying that my power cable from the truck starter battery, and ground wire that attaches to the connector (single pole) going into the camper cabin batteries, all need to be the same size equivalent of the 2AWG? The ground that attaches to the actual single pole connector from the camper would only be 3'. And the power running from the truck starter battery to the camper would be about 10'. Looks like the Pollack single pole only accepts up to 2/0 AWG?

Kevin C.

11/19/2024

@JerryC The ground wire always needs to match the capacity of the power wire since it could potentially have that same current passing through it if there's a fault situation. If it can't handle the current it will heat up and melt/catch fire and things can get a lot worse. Most people will install a battery in the truck bed camper and wire the inverter to it and then just install a DC to DC charger, Like the Redarc BCDC # RED96FR, between the truck and trailer batteries to charge while driving around. Most people will also install a 15 amp shore power inlet like the NOCO # 329-GCP2 and use a battery charger like the # 329-GENIUS10 in the camper to recharge the trailer battery when at a campsite. This way you can just bring a normal extension cord to plug your trailer in.