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lvcat2004 · 08-10-2009, 12:29 PM

I did a search but couldn't find an answer, sorry for the noob question.

I just took my 2009 25' CCD on my first trip and back.

It would be nice to have TV working on boondocking trips so that kids can watch DVD or something, and when I go to football games, I'd like to watch some TV while tailgaiting. I do have a 2000w genset but don't want to run it all the time with tv if possible.

I have a 23" (I thinik) Samsung LCD TV, and it is plugged into a normal 120v outlet on the wall, but the wall also has what seems to be a 12v outlet, like a cigarette lighter socket.

My question is, if I only want to run TV (or sometimes my laptop), would it be the easiest/cheapest to buy a small inverter, plug into 12v, and then plug the TV into that?

I think LCD TV consumes a few hundred watts, so what would your recommendation of the size/capacity of the inverter be?

If I'm at a place (like the Rosebowl parking lot apparently) where I can't use the generator to run the 120v, would using this set-up with inverter drain the battery very quickly?

Thanks for the help.

DanB · 08-10-2009, 12:54 PM

I'm not sure of your "run time" but I would be cautious of your power quality.

I'd hate to burn up an expensive TV using a cheap inverter.

I'm with you though, I want to watch TV whenn boondocked. I elected to go with a large tablet laptop. I can feed my video into it.

altamont · 08-10-2009, 02:15 PM

I have a Sony 19" LCD that I believe uses 18 volts. When boondocking I use a 400 watt inverter plugged into the 12 volt circuit and that works fine. I also use a digital converter plugged into the same inverter without any problems. If you actually need 120 volts then that might be another matter but my system works just fine.

HowieE · 08-10-2009, 02:19 PM

I would consider installing a bigger inverter than the 12 wall plug will support. Those 12 receptacle will only carry a couple of amps without over heating. If you got a 500 watt inverter I would hard wire in to the battery. If you install it in the cabinet below the tv you could just swap the tv plug to the inverter.

GetOutDoors · 08-10-2009, 03:07 PM

Related link: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...-t-v-2443.html

SilverRanger · 08-10-2009, 03:18 PM

I've frequently used a 500 watt modified sine wave voltage inverter to power my 20" LCD TV for 2-3 hours with no problem, and without a significant drain on my two AGM batteries. Should you decide to to with an inverter, consider getting a quality one such as Tripplite, with more wattage than you need.

Prior to the 20" set, I had a 15" LCD running on a 400 watt inverter. The inverter cooling fan was supposed to kick in for anything over a 80 watt draw. It never came on unless I hooked up the satellite receiver.

Mexray · 08-10-2009, 03:27 PM

I hard wired (inverter power leads to fuse panel) our 1200 watt inverter...

then I plugged the TV, Sat Receiver, DVD player into a surge protector...

I can then plug the one male surge protector plug into the trailer's AC receptacle when we're on shore power....or....plug the surge protector into the inverter's AC receptacle when we're boondocking...I used a short, heavy extension cord between the inverter and mounted the female end next to the trailer's AC receptacle so it's easy from one to the other...

In any event, a good surge protector is a great device to protect your electronics... especially when you don't know how good an RV park's power hookups are...

henw · 08-10-2009, 05:44 PM

I tried the small inverter at first. But, I kept burning them out.
It's really pretty easy to snake some extra cables into the trailer along side existing lines.
Over time you'll find lots of 120v electric things you'll want to run off a good size inverter.
TV, hair appliances, computer, extra fans, etc.

SilverRanger · 08-10-2009, 05:49 PM

"TV, hair appliances, computer, extra fans, etc."

Truth! That's why I bought the Honda EU2000i generator.

lvcat2004 · 08-10-2009, 08:34 PM

Thanks all. I think I'll just use a small plug in inverter at this time. I try not to use a bunch of 120v applicances when boondocking, and I do have a 2000w Yamaha generator, so should I need a lot of stuff, I can always fire one up.

I really need it in places where generators are not allowed, but I try not to bring/use a lot of appliances anyway....it sort of defeats the purpose being outdoors, but when I'm tailgaiting, I just need to keep up with the games...getting ready for college football season....

Airstream25 · 08-10-2009, 09:38 PM

I bought a 12 volt TV and forget the inverter and the generator. What could be simpler? The 12 volt TV will run longer on your existing battery capacity because you are not suffering the losses of an inverter. I also obtained an automobile adapter for my laptop so I can plug it into the 12 volt outlet as well.

1cericks1 · 08-10-2009, 10:18 PM

I use a 80 watt inverter, I think the 19" samsung is 60 watts so that works fine. However, after spending $250 in LED bulbs, now I'm thinking that $350 for a 12-volt TV might be the way to go. If i can find the stand, i could move the samsung to our spare bedroom and recycle our last tube tv. Anyone used one of these 12-volt tvs?

LCD TV's : 12 Volt TV - Car Stereo and Naxa Electronics

http://www.12volt-travel.com/12-volt-televisions-c-684.html

rseagle · 08-11-2009, 05:28 AM

I just installed a 32" LCD/DVD TV in my trailer. I investigated using an inverter to power the TV while Boondocking.

My TV uses between 100-200 Watts AC.
My DC cigarette plug is for loads under 8 AMPS.
The inverter to power the TV would demand between 8.33 - 16.67 AMPS (excluding losses).
I would need a 300-400 Watt inverter. Use a Pure Sine Wave inverter (more expensive) instead of a Modified Sine Wave inverter to avoid RF interference.
I would have to hardwire the inverter to the battery or the breaker panel. Use the shortest cable run possible between the battery and inverter. The cable run from the inverter to TV can be longer.
To watch a long TV show, movie or a football game will require a sufficiently sized battery bank. A couple Group 24 or 27 batteries would probably be insufficient for a 3-4 hour football game.
I use my Honda EU generator for the TV/DVD operation. I've ruled out the inverter for the TV operation because of the battery requirement.

tallytwo1994 · 08-11-2009, 11:28 AM

Canada is in North America - so they are American owned & operated.

HowieE · 08-11-2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeDiamold

I guess we could continue to go back and forth about this but lets not. Bottom line is they are outright lying. They say American Owned and Operated. THEY ARE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY! Straight Up Liars, I won't deal with them.

Looks like someone missed their geography class. Last time I checked Canada Mexico, Central America and all of South America were part of the Americas.

Lumatic · 08-11-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rseagle

My DC cigarette plug is for loads under 8 AMPS.
The inverter to power the TV would demand between 8.33 - 16.67 AMPS (excluding losses).
I would need a 300-400 Watt inverter. Use a Pure Sine Wave inverter (more expensive) instead of a Modified Sine Wave inverter to avoid RF interference.
I would have to hardwire the inverter to the battery or the breaker panel. Use the shortest cable run possible between the battery and inverter. The cable run from the inverter to TV can be longer.
To watch a long TV show, movie or a football game will require a sufficiently sized battery bank. A couple Group 24 or 27 batteries would probably be insufficient for a 3-4 hour football game.
I use my Honda EU generator for the TV/DVD operation. I've ruled out the inverter for the TV operation because of the battery requirement.

Obviously "cigarette plug" is a slip of the tongue. But some folks have. Even though a auto type cigarette lighter will fit it will pop fuses, fry wires and maybe worser.

In response to some other posts on this thread I tried Akai and Audiovox 12v TV/DVD combos. The TV part was fine but the DVD drive was junk. I got some good advice though at the electronics store. Get an extended warranty.

So now I have a 22" Sharp 120v model. So far no problems. It draws 60 watts. Using the electricty 101 formula watts= volts x amps My TV uses 5 amps.

I have a cheap 400watt modifed sine inverter. It has a built in alarm if the voltage drops below 10.5. It has a cooling fan which is annoying until you zone it out. I could have gone with a smaller inverter and not have the fan. I plug it into my 12v "cigarette plug" with a 10' cord with no problems.

I have a Universal 4B AGM 200 amp hours battery. I can watch TV all weekend long if I am careful with my lights. I don't even bring my Honda for anything less than 3 days.

HowieE · 08-18-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeDiamold

BTW. Graduated with honors.
Happy trails all

How many box tops did that take?

If you go back and study geography you will see that everything between the Atlantic and Pacific are the Americas. Now if you want to distinguish the United States of America from the rest of the 2 continents you have to be a bit more explicit.

You may not like it but as far as truth in advertising is concerned they are correct in their statement "American Owned"

richinny · 08-18-2009, 07:00 PM

residents of the USA have 'acquired' the term "American" to mean the "United States". i don't think we're correct and i think it is part of our attitude that makes us resented by other countries. the world does not revolve around us.
i am a proud citizen of the USA.

craftsman · 08-18-2009, 07:18 PM

Gotta side with Joe on this one. Although technically correct when have you EVER heard or seen a Canadian company describe a product made in Canada as anything but Canadian made. Anything made in Canada comes with the Red maple leaf and a MADE IN CANADA sticker, How about a Mexican or South American product described as made in America. It may be technically correct but when it says MADE IN AMERICA I also think U.S. And other countries resent us for a whole host of reasons some valid some not.

jmallgood · 08-18-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeDiamold

So I guess as long as a country is connected to the states those in that country are all Americans. I don't think so. They are not Americans and therefore they are NOT American owned and operated. No geography lesson required.

BTW. Graduated with honors.

Happy trails all

They certainly think they are. They will be very disappointed when I inform them of your decision.