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Old 02-22-2014, 12:00 PM   #1
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Installing an inverter for boondocking

I'm getting close to having my rig put together for boondocking! One thing I'm thinking about getting is a small inverter. I'm not planning on running very much off of it and not very often. Mostly just our 22" LCD TV and an old Playstation 2 that we use as our DVD player. We don't use them much, but sometimes we like a family movie in the evening before bed - especially in the early season when it gets dark early. Also, my wife would like to run a small fan at night (mostly for the noise).

What is the best way to install an inverter for these purposes? I just want a powered outlet in the entertainment area of our trailer. I've been reading that the inverter itself should be wired into the batteries and placed very closely to them with heavy wire. Many that I'm seeing seem to have outlets right on the inverter itself. How do you accomplish extending this back to where I want the power?

Any recommendations on a good unit? I'm thinking somewhere in the area of 400-600 watts should be more than sufficient. I'm also planning on getting a pure sine wave type.
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Old 02-22-2014, 12:22 PM   #2
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A cheap $25 DVD player from Walmart will use much less power than the PS2 for playing DVDs. Do you have a 12v outlet in the entertainment area? If so, it may be easier to just plug in there with a right sized inverter than trying to wire in something permanent.
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Old 02-22-2014, 12:39 PM   #3
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I've heard that the 12v outlet (I do have one there...) may or may not cut it for what I'm trying to do. Has anyone tried this? It sure would be easier!
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Old 02-22-2014, 02:01 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KachFam View Post
I've heard that the 12v outlet (I do have one there...) may or may not cut it for what I'm trying to do. Has anyone tried this? It sure would be easier!
That is how I ran last season. I have a 26" LED TV, and ripped our media onto a thumb drive that we play with a WDTV box. We have a small 200w 2 outlet inverter that runs them both.

Our TV runs off a 12v transformer, and I am VERY tempted to hardware it. There's is quite a bit of inefficiency/loss going from 12v DC to 120V AC back to 12v DC.
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Old 02-22-2014, 02:43 PM   #5
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What is the transformer rated at? It should be printed on the transformer in Watts or Amps draw..

I have converted a few of my items to 12VDC since they operate off a transformer. (TT's Wi-Fi modem, Wi-Fi extender, my night breathing machine)
Don
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Old 02-22-2014, 07:52 PM   #6
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We installed a Xantrex 1000 Watt for our entertainment center. It is wired from the batteries with heavy 2/0 wire and then from there we simply ran an extension cord up to to the entertainment center to run the TV's, DVD & Satellite. Does a great job!
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