Inverter Cable

[Maximus Ram]

OK, I searched ...nothing
Simple question...I picked up a xantrex digital xpower 400 inverter today for 10 bucks. It has no cables with it, but I teseted it with some speaker wire and it powered my notebook computer just fine. Soooooo, I am thinking that I want to mount this in the cab of the truck so I can take the laptop with me.
What would be the least expensive method to get the max amount of power out of this little inverter.
I see most inverters use 4g cable with lugs on them. Is this the minimum gauge I should use or can I get away with less ?
I want to run it directly off of the battery too.

Thanks,
Matt

[washington taco]

For the 400W I would think 8-10 gage would be plenty.

[Hill, Bill E.]

For the 400W I would think 8-10 gage would be plenty.

X2. My 400W came with 10 guage, both the battery 'clips' and the 12V power outlet (cigerate lighter) My 800W has much heavier wire, and just battery clips.

[Maximus Ram]

Alright..then I'll look at 8 - 10 gauge and make me a couple and get this thing hooked up.

Thanks for the quick response, guys....

[LandCruiserPhil]

At peak a 400w inverter will pull ~33Amps. With that said #10 would be the minumin size and only for a short distance.

[Maximus Ram]

What about using a set of 8 gauge jumper cables ?
Harbor Freight has a 12' set for under 10 bucks and I have a 20% coupon to boot.....

[pods8]

Have you looked into if you can just get an affordable DC-DC plug for your laptop rather than converting your vehicle DC to AC to convert back to DC?

[Maximus Ram]

Have you looked into if you can just get an affordable DC-DC plug for your laptop rather than converting your vehicle DC to AC to convert back to DC?

Now what fun would that be...thats to easy
Plus, for some reason I hadn't thought about that solution.
Guess I'll check e-bay for an adapter or maybe google it

Thanks

[LandCruiserPhil]

What about using a set of 8 gauge jumper cables ?
Harbor Freight has a 12' set for under 10 bucks and I have a 20% coupon to boot.....

Great idea!
Add some Anderson connectors to the ends and plug it in only when you need it.