Just bought a Aims PWRINV8KW12V

KENNYRAMEY
KENNYRAMEY Registered Users Posts: 1
Looking at the battery terminals on this unit I didn't understand why Aims didn't supply some sort of covers as these things are huge! I called Aimes to purchase whatever it was that I was sure was made and tech support literally told me they had nothing and to just wrap electrical tape around the post. Needless to say I hung up the phone in shock! Can anyone here help or know of covers that are made for these type of posts??? 

Comments

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A roll of 3M electrical tape ?
    Sorry, if covers were made, Aims would have them,   How about caps off a can of spray paint ?
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You can buy "battery lug covers" or "battery terminal covers" It will cover the lug side of things. 



    https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=battery+terminal+covers&rh=i:aps,k:battery+terminal+covers

    I hate to ask, but Aims is an inexpensive brand and often we see people buying a very high output (wattage) inverter for low voltage battery bank. Hope this isn't the case. Look to buy the proper size wiring for the load!
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    8000w ÷ 12v = 666amps. Wow.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    666 amps, wow indeed.
    According to the last book in the Bible, 666 is the number, or name, of the wild beast with seven heads and ten horns that comes out of the sea. (Revelation 13:1, 17, 18) This beast is a symbol of the worldwide ...

    If you believe and so forth, nothing serious, just a take on the number, no more, no less.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    So when that inverter hits peak load, the world ends ?
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,095 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Maybe something more like fire and brimstone.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • Thom
    Thom Solar Expert Posts: 196 ✭✭✭
    Wow that's just crazy . I like the 1000 w max inverter for 12v rule. Call my old fashion. 

    Thom
    Off grid since 1984. 430w of panel, 300w suresine , 4 gc batteries 12v system, Rogue mpt3024 charge controller , air breeze windmill, Mikita 2400w generator . Added 2@ 100w panel with a midnight brat 
  • YahairaDilday
    YahairaDilday Registered Users Posts: 1
    Maybe something more like fire and brimstone.
    And then everyone is welcome to Sodom and Gomorrah.
    To see the fireworks indeed.
    Thinking is difficult, that is why most people judge.
  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,157 ✭✭✭✭
    In my battery business, I see a LOT of 12v systems with 2000 to 3000 watt inverters that have been running reliably and safely for many years. But they are all Xantrex, Magnum and Tripplite systems installed appropriately. By the same token, I have seen some nightmare installations and the resulting fire destruction also.

    People often forget that inverters are constant wattage devices, so as the battery voltage falls, the input current increases. And that an undersized cable results in more voltage drop, which further increases the amperage draw. I always suggest using the current at 10v for wiring sizing, because it can happen. So 3000 watts = 300 amps. So you can quickly see how even doubled up 4/0 cables can result in excessive voltage drop on very large 12v systems.

    Based on working with mobile and stationary applications for the last 9 years, I think that an easily managed limit is 2000 watts for 12v systems, assuming high quality equipment is used. If you really know what you are doing, 3000+ watts is doable, but that level of current requires very specific and special "everything."

    It is ALWAYS preferable to go higher voltage or use multiple inverters if you must stay at 12v for some reason.

    Marc
    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.