Relay switch between battery and inverter

[josiahsequoyah]

Hey everyone,
I'm trying to figure out how to go about setting up a relay switch between my 12v battery and my 600w inverter. I am planning on running a 4 AWG wire between the two with a 80A in-line fuse but I can't seem to find a relay switch that can connect to 4 AWG wire. I also need the relay switch to have something like a 18AWG wire that extends to another part of the van for a simple on/off switch to break the circuit between the battery and the inverter. Any suggestions?

Sorry if this doesn't make a lot of sense, I'm a little amateur with this stuff and still trying to figure it out.

Thanks!

 

[josiahsequoyah]

Or maybe I can add this?
https://www.amazon.com/LActrical-Continuous-Duty-Solenoid-80AMP/dp/B0050I94XG

 

[tx2sturgis]

I was getting ready to type out the answer and you already figured it out....a continuous duty solenoid will work.

It is essentially a heavy duty relay.

 

[josiahsequoyah]

I was getting ready to type out the answer and you already figured it out....a continuous duty solenoid will work.

It is essentially a heavy duty relay.

Awesome! Thanks for the confirmation!

 

[Weight]

just be sure it is continuous duty. Starter solenoids look the same.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Some inverters have remote switching, so if you dont own one yet, you might want to search for that feature.

 

[wayne49]

You don't have to respond to my question. What is the purpose for a solenoid in the circuit?

A solenoid uses current to keep the contacts closed. You are adding another parasitic drain to your system. The larger the current capacity of the solenoid, more current is required to close the contacts and keep them closed.

Does your inverter have a built in remote control capability? That would take a momentary and very small current to cycle the inverter.

 

[Weight]

Even when inverter is switched off with it's remote, it still has a bit of draw that is needed to wait for the remote signal. For what ever they want the solenoid, just help with the engineering.

 

[John61CT]

As long as the relay's NO normally open, that very low parasitic draw will only be active while the inverter is being powered.

Keeping the power isolated takes no power at all, which I'm sure is the whole point.

A NC normally closed relay would be the wrong choice here.

Magnetic Latch switches only consume power while changing state, but cost much more.