How much Invertor needed...

[Ustabslim]

How much invertor needed to just watch tv and power sat receiver. Is 1000 watts continuous pure sine wave enough? Any recommendation on brands etc.

[Grumpy]

The earlier SENECA's came with a 400 to run 1 TV and Sat receiver. You will be fine with a 1000 since the use an 1800 to run 2 TV's and micro.

[RVhiker]

I installed this 300W pure sine wave inverter from Go Power about two years ago. It powers my satellite dish receiver and 30" LCD TV set. I've had no issues with the inverter. It has provisions for a remote on/off switch that is really convenient to use. Link to the inverter I bought here.

[nwminnesota]

What is the power consumption on the TV and satellite dish equipment? (Watts)

[Mustang65]

If you look at the specs of theTv and the Sat receiver you will see that they are rated at 120 VAC (example 120 watts). Add the watts of each unit. This will give you the total watts needed (@ 120VAC), but add at least 30% of that total for start up surge.

Another thing you need to look at is how much battery do you have/need and how will you replenish the charge lost from watching Tv? Most TT's come with a marine/RV battery (not a true deep cycle) in the 85Ah range. I am guessing this is what you have? Is it old/new? 85 Ah sounds like a lot, but in reality you only have about 45Ah that you can use without causing issues with the battery (never discharge battery lower than 12VDC 50%).

So if you have a load of 400 watts (AC rating of Tv and Sat receiver), that equates to 3.3 Amps @ 120VAC, but your DC load (inverter will need to produce 120VAC@ 400 watts) will be 33.3 Amps @ 12VDC, to run that same setup. If you have the standard battery, you will more than likely dip below the 12VDC level, before the night is over, depending on how long you watch Tv and any other loads (lights, cell phone charging...).

I would recommend that after you get the proper size inverter for your needs/battery supply, you simulate a camping trip. With a fully charged battery(s) and an Amp meter, turn on the Tv/Receiver and monitor the voltage to see how long you can watch before the battery hits the 12VDC limit. Also, if you plan on having a light on, also put that on while running the test.

When dry-camping you will ALWAYS need to monitor the battery's voltage.

Good luck,

Just my thoughts,

Don

[RVhiker]

I don't remember what the TV, receiver, or power inserter have to say about power consumption. I did check the 12 volt DC power used by the inverter when only the TV, receiver, and power inserter were on; my cheap Sears clamp on DC ammeter said that about 8 amps were being used from my batteries with those items turned on. This is about 96 watts, well within the capabilities of my 300 watt inverter.

Our LCD TV is illuminated by CCFL (florescent) light tubes and I did turn the illumination down as far as reasonable - which helped reduce power needed. I would expect that an LCD TV illuminated by LED's would need less power.

[Ustabslim]

I have 2 of these in addition to the battery that came with the RV.
I think I have plenty battery. The invertor I'm looking at turns its self off when voltage drops two low. Thanks of the help. I'm getting a 1000 with 2000 surge.
I just wanted plenty for our trip to Alaska as boondocking a lot on the trip there and wanted to make sure heater would run all night. With the all LED lights I think I'm good and now can watch a little tv.

Optima® 8027-127 BlueTop® Deep Cycle & Starting Marine/RV AGM Battery D27
Invertor I'm ordering.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200986517852...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff

The invertor I'm looking at turns its self off when voltage drops two low.
Invertor I'm ordering.

Keep in mind that the automatic shut off for most inverters is 10.5 VDC, well past the 12VDC recommended cutoff point.

Good luck with the Alaska trip

Don

[Bassdogs]

Just installed a 600 watt psw in my 14 White Hawk to power up my entertainment center [42" TV, DISH receiver, Dvr harddrive] and the draw is less than 1/3 of capacity. Wire it correctly with minimum distance [mine is less than 5 feet] for the inverter / battery and don't scrimp on the size of the cable. I used 2awg for the 12 volt leg and 12awg for the long er 110 run t0 the ET center. I used an extension cord[100'] cut to length with a lighted termination on the female end where I plug in a powerstrip. The lighted end is a reminder that the inverter is powered up. Can leave it on if I am recording something on the dvr after going to bed. The draw with nothing turned on is minimal but if not needed, its smart to switch off the inverter overnite. Easy enough without a remote, just my last step after taking the dogs for their last Poo.

I recommend installing more than a 400 so you'll have some extra for unknowns down the road. 1000 is probably overkill as its not enough for a microwave or real heavy draw but will have a bigger draw with nothing plugged in.

[nwminnesota]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

If you look at the specs of theTv and the Sat receiver you will see that they are rated at 120 VAC (example 120 watts). Add the watts of each unit. This will give you the total watts needed (@ 120VAC), but add at least 30% of that total for start up surge.

Another thing you need to look at is how much battery do you have/need and how will you replenish the charge lost from watching Tv? Most TT's come with a marine/RV battery (not a true deep cycle) in the 85Ah range. I am guessing this is what you have? Is it old/new? 85 Ah sounds like a lot, but in reality you only have about 45Ah that you can use without causing issues with the battery (never discharge battery lower than 12VDC 50%).

So if you have a load of 400 watts (AC rating of Tv and Sat receiver), that equates to 3.3 Amps @ 120VAC, but your DC load (inverter will need to produce 120VAC@ 400 watts) will be 33.3 Amps @ 12VDC, to run that same setup. If you have the standard battery, you will more than likely dip below the 12VDC level, before the night is over, depending on how long you watch Tv and any other loads (lights, cell phone charging...).

I would recommend that after you get the proper size inverter for your needs/battery supply, you simulate a camping trip. With a fully charged battery(s) and an Amp meter, turn on the Tv/Receiver and monitor the voltage to see how long you can watch before the battery hits the 12VDC limit. Also, if you plan on having a light on, also put that on while running the test.

When dry-camping you will ALWAYS need to monitor the battery's voltage.

Good luck,

Just my thoughts,

Don

Nailed it.

[Ustabslim]

My wife says we can plug the camper into the inverter and the converter will kept the batteries charged so we never run out of power....

[SmokerBill]

Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff

My wife says we can plug the camper into the inverter and the converter will kept the batteries charged so we never run out of power....

I tried that once and in a matter of minutes it created so much excess power that the batteries overcharged and exploded. Probably need more and bigger batteries for next time...

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by SmokerBill

I tried that once and in a matter of minutes it created so much excess power that the batteries overcharged and exploded. Probably need more and bigger batteries for next time...

I think not... you needed more friends parked next to you to take that excess power.

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff

The invertor I'm looking at turns its self off when voltage drops two low.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200986517852...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Not familiar with that brand, but I checked the stats and it has a shut off voltage of 9.5VDC. I would not recommend letting your batteries get to that point.

For that size inverter you will need to wire it directly to the battery(s), as those 12VDC accessory outlets in the TT are not very good at carrying the amps without heating up the wires.

Are you going to use an extension cord to your media center or are you going to hard wire the inverter into the TT's existing 120VAC wiring?

Don

[3'senough]

Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff

I have 2 of these in addition to the battery that came with the RV.
I think I have plenty battery. The invertor I'm looking at turns its self off when voltage drops two low. Thanks of the help. I'm getting a 1000 with 2000 surge.
I just wanted plenty for our trip to Alaska as boondocking a lot on the trip there and wanted to make sure heater would run all night. With the all LED lights I think I'm good and now can watch a little tv.

Optima® 8027-127 BlueTop® Deep Cycle & Starting Marine/RV AGM Battery D27
Invertor I'm ordering.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200986517852...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I had a 600 W inverter that was not PSW on my first unit and it powered 3 TV's and a DVD player without issue. Recently I bought a Mico Solar 1000W PSW Inverter with Remote (Amazon for $169.99) so I can locate it as close to the batteries as possible with good high amp cables. It has a 2000W surge, but I will not be using a micro or other high draw items since I have a genny already. This is strictly for using highly sensitive electronics during quite hours while dry camping. I will have it about 1FT from my 2 x 6V GC Batt's with 0AWG wire.

[Ustabslim]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

Not familiar with that brand, but I checked the stats and it has a shut off voltage of 9.5VDC. I would not recommend letting your batteries get to that point.

For that size inverter you will need to wire it directly to the battery(s), as those 12VDC accessory outlets in the TT are not very good at carrying the amps without heating up the wires.

Are you going to use an extension cord to your media center or are you going to hard wire the inverter into the TT's existing 120VAC wiring?

Don

I going to run 10 gauge SOOW from the battery's to the rear of the RV and up inside the cabinet to the right of the fireplace. No water or sewer or anything to have to worry about and then mount the invertor in the bottom cabinet on top of some aluminum square tube I have. Then simply place a power strip to plug the tv and sat into.

[Mustang65]

From an ELECTRICAL stand point, ALWAYS run your longest wire run on the side that has the greatest voltage. In this case it is the 120VAC side from the inverter to the Tv (media center).

The best plan would be to mount the inverter as close to the batteries as possible (12VDC side) and run a 12AWG Romex cable to the media center and terminate it in a 4x4 electrical box, with 2 120VAC outlets in it. The voltage loss on the 120VAC side of the circuit is minimal compared to the low voltage side.

Since you are going to run wire, why not run the wire for the 120VAC.

Here is how my inverter supplies 120VAC to all the TT outlets:
http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/al...pictureid=3150

Just my thoughts,

Don

[Ustabslim]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

From an ELECTRICAL stand point, ALWAYS run your longest wire run on the side that has the greatest voltage. In this case it is the 120VAC side from the inverter to the Tv (media center).

The best plan would be to mount the inverter as close to the batteries as possible (12VDC side) and run a 12AWG Romex cable to the media center and terminate it in a 4x4 electrical box, with 2 120VAC outlets in it. The voltage loss on the 120VAC side of the circuit is minimal compared to the low voltage side.

Since you are going to run wire, why not run the wire for the 120VAC.

Here is how my inverter supplies 120VAC to all the TT outlets:
http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/al...pictureid=3150

Just my thoughts,

Don

Sounds like a plan. Cheaper also.

[Bassdogs]

Basic rule for inverter install is to keep the 12qv leg short as possible. No exception to this that doesn't result in serious volt loss at the inverter. The 110v leg is many times more forgiving. Don't waste your $$ on a good psw inverter and then do an inferior install. A lot is made of a remote shut off but I do not believe it is that important. It might be a nice extra if you're sitting in a driving rain at 11pm when you are shutting down but 99% of the time a quick step outside is not a problem and gives you a chance to double check campsite security [locked TV, bikes, etc]. In a pinch just leave it powered up and run the gen an extra 15 minutes the next am.

[Mustang65]

I ran my 12AWG inside a 1/2" PVC pipe that I connected to the frame. Keeps the road trash from hitting it. So far so good.

Don