Jon and Kay - why not use resettable circuit breakers? There are heaps on evilbay. We've a couple on the isolator and batteries and have had no probs at all.
They are ok for small loads but not heavy loads of 250 amps or more inverters can demand, they heat up and de-rate rapidly and finally drop out.
The reason for a fuse on both the negative and positive is battery protection in case of a lightning strike, a real problem in a boat but not much of a problem in a motorhome or caravan. The other advantage when using Li batteries is breaking the circuit if a spanners or similar gets dropped across a terminal and the metal vehicle body. 300 amps will still destroy the spanner and have you seeing spots for a few weeks but at least the arc stops when the fuse blows.
A person may fail many times, they only become a failure when they blame someone else John Burrows
Those who struggle to become a leader, rarely know a clear direction forward for anyone but themselves
Just using the max momentarily available from 1500 watt inverter as 3000 watt.
My normal higheat loads are TV, with tuner, sound system at about 30A, Toaster 75A, convection/microwave can draw 125A, 7.5kg washer/dryer can draw 240A for a short time if heating dryer elements, but a normal wash only uses 30ah.
My hydraulic leveller motor (electic over hydraulic) only draws 40A and runs off chassis battery.
Jon and Kay - I have to ask - how can you have a load of 250 amps?
Our 3,000w/9,000w inverter can demand well over 400 amps for up to 20 mins before it starts to complain about the overload. Add all the other DC loads and a 500 amp fuse can get tested at times. You do need good batteries to do that though
A person may fail many times, they only become a failure when they blame someone else John Burrows
Those who struggle to become a leader, rarely know a clear direction forward for anyone but themselves
My old AGMs used to supply all that was asked of them, but they couldn't quite handle the air conditioner startup (the Genny did that and then the batteries took over). The Lithiums main claim to fame I have found is the speed at which they accept charge.
I appear to have them suitable protected by fuses...so I can stop worrying now
