Power from inverter to 115V outlet?

[zuren]

I know this has been done many times over but I haven't found the right thread.

I have a 3000w inverter that is now hidden behind a cabinet I built for the interior of my van:

Before

After:


The inverter and other house wiring is behind that thinner cabinet. I would like to add a standard household/115V GFCI outlet to the face of the cabinet but I'm curious how others have run the AC power from the inverter to a similar outlet? The GFCI outlets are typically 15A and the outlets on my inverter have 15 and 20A breakers so I want to match the load with whatever cable I buy. It needs to have a standard 3 prong male plug on one end (aka NEMA 5-15) and loose wire at the other to connect to the outlet and only needs to go 3 feet.

Does everyone just buy an extension cord that carries the appropriate number of amps and start cutting it up or is household Romex the preferred way to go? I also have an old computer power cord that I could sacrifice but it is only rated to 10A. I never plan to push the limits of what the outlet can handle but I also don't want the wire to be the weak link.

Thanks!

 

[youwillforget]

Big Box home improvement has #10 wire by the foot and plugs you put on yourself for around 20 dollars.

 

[frgtwn]

What I think you are looking for is a "pigtail". It is a short power cord with a male plug on one end, and bare wires on the other. You will simply hardwire the pigtail onto the GFCI, and plug in the other end. (You will likely see one wired to your garbage disposer: they are available anywhere electrical parts are sold.)

I cannot tell from the photo, but I would be concerned about access to your inverter in case of a problem. It is not the best application to hide the inverter in a box. Of course it is often done. And, you know that this plan is kinda bootleg. So, you're on your own. And, please enclose the entire GFCI and it's connections in an outdoor box.

Best of luck to 'ya.
Dale

 

[wrcsixeight]

I have a regular household power strip mounted right next to my inverter. I bought a 14 awg power tool replacement cord and ran that to a regular outlet inside a household type electrical box on the other side of my Van

When I use the inverter, I unplug the power tool cord from the power strip and plug it directly into the inverter. When I have grid power the power tool cord is in the household power strip.

That path is currently powering this laptop.

Here is one of my my rear power distribution centers. 4 switched loads, 3 ciggy receptacles wired via 10 awg, and 1 110 outlet.
The switch below the 110 outlet is the inverter on off switch that I relocated.

 

[off-roader]

I'm just running a power strip although I don't have as high a current capacity as yours. 20A GFCI receptacles do exist... http://www.amazon.com/LEVITON-20A-GFCI-RECEPTACLE-WHITE/dp/B0007NOZL0

In terms of the wiring, I'm sure there's an electrician in the bunch that can advise you on the optimum wire to use.

 

[zuren]

My install for the inverter and battery was overkill (isolated, fuses and breakers, welding cable throughout to keep resistance low, soldered connections with copper terminals) so I'm not worried.

I ended up finding a 15A GFI outlet and a 15A pigtail (as described above) for replacing a cord to a power tool. I'll be making the cutouts this weekend and hopefully get it installed. Thanks for the ideas!