Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Hello to all.  I have a 2006 Mid-bath and have upgraded the converter to a Progressive Dynamics 4655 (55 amps).
I intend to add a 2000W inverter at the same time I put in Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries.
The particular PD4655 that I currently have can be modified (jumper changes) so as to accommodate the new batteries. I am wondering about the size of the cable from the converter to the battery.
Does anyone know what size is originally provided from the factory?  I'm thinking it is 6 gauge?
Does a 2000W inverter require me to increase the size?

Betters inverters have high-output, built in battery chargers, for use when shore power is available or when the generator is operated? Does the one you intend to use have this feature? The Factory wire from the converter to battery is 6-gauge and adequate for the 55-amp, upgraded converter. An inverter with a built-in 100-amp charger, the wiring from the inverter/charger, to the battery, must be upgraded.

When installing a 2000-watt inverters, I try to keep the voltage drop very low for best efficiency. For a 2000-watt inverter, use 0000 cable, between the battery and inverter, The cable is very thick, heavy and tough to bend. Using the same gauge welding cable will make things a little easier, at a cost. It's worth the effort in the long run.
Use a pro grade crimper for the best attachment of the lugs to the cables.
This is the time to upgrade the solar charging system with more panels and larger cabling.

Here are some photos of a 2000-watt inverter installation, in a Mid-bath, along with two added batteries and a surge protector.
Prosine 2.0 Inverter | Flickr
It's a big, long and expensive job to do it right.
You can save yourself a lot of work and money by adjusting your life style and equipment not to require large amounts of A/C power. Other than the microwave and hairdryers, what daily use of 120-VAC is required? For occasional use the generator is a fine source of A/C power.  Us older folks lived just fine before the microwave oven was invented.

Larry

2.  The hair dryer issue is the elephant in the bathroom.  What do other people do about hair dryers.  What did people do for the last 10,000 years because Tommy Edison came along.  Seriously, are there other hair dryer options out there I should consider?

All good points you guys are making.  I am trying to rethink my approach and what I really want.

1.  I would like a quicker charge on my batteries.  It doesn't have to be lightening fast but better than what I have now.  I think AGM batteries might serve that purpose, but I would have to replace my Heliotrope MPPT charger because it would overcook the AGM batteries and shorten the life.  Perhaps I just upgrade the MPPt controller?  To what I don't know.

"There is a pot[entiometer] within the Heliotrope solar controller that you can adjust to suit your batteries."

To properly charge batteries (in order to maximize their useful lifespan), you need to be able to set (at minimum) absorption voltage, maximum absorption time, and float voltage. One potentiometer adjustment can't do three things. I would not recommend the Heliotrope controller for anything but flooded lead-acid batteries.

The Blue Sky Solar Boost 3000i has the kinds of settings I was talking about, according to its manual. It can also use an (optional) temperature compensation sensor--highly recommended for lead-acid batteries, including AGMs, but less important for LiFePO4 batteries.

But getting back to your original question, Jack--for a given set of batteries, the 3000i solar controller probably won't charge them noticeably faster than the old Heliotrope. Switching to AGM will get you somewhat faster charging, but at least in my experience, not dramatically so. Switching to LiFePO4 will get you much faster charging, as LiFePO4 batteries charge "full speed" (bulk) until they're full--there's no need for the slowly tapering absorb phase.

With regard to hair dryers, I can offer one suggestion: I occasionally use a compact Andis hair dryer that draws only 330 watts on its low setting. Obviously it doesn't dry as fast that way as on its 1,600W high setting, so maybe the amp-hours consumed are not that much less--I haven't run any comparison tests. But it doesn't require a 2,000 W inverter, that's for sure. And it's much less likely to beat your batteries to death. (Again, with LiFePO4 this is less of a concern.)