Inverter for Television

[Siamese]

I recently installed a 24" flat screen television in my new, 26BH. I'm thinking it might be useful to have an inverter to power it when we're boon docking (we have a small generator to keep the battery topped off).

The television draws 40 watts.

As I looked on amazon for inverters, I see that a 100 watt (ish) inverter is only around twenty bucks. I don't know much about inverters, and wonder if anyone has any suggestions. The television is probably about all I'd use it for.

My limited knowledge is that some produce a better sine wave than others, and may be more appropriate for use with a television.

[redsnapper]

I would advise to not cut short the power supply, via the inverter.

Your TV, a fan, electronic devices and other small power users will thank you....even if you say now you won't be using them.

600W inverter will cover all of the above without a hiccup.

This one is $178 bucks..... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004OU3A5Y...505169744&sr=2

[Siamese]

Originally Posted by redsnapper

I would advise to not cut short the power supply, via the inverter.

Your TV, a fan, electronic devices and other small power users will thank you....even if you say now you won't be using them.

600W inverter will cover all of the above without a hiccup.

This one is $178 bucks..... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004OU3A5Y...505169744&sr=2

Thanks, but I want to stay small. I really don't like using inverters, and if I really need to power something, all it takes is a quick pull on the generator to power my pressure cooker, microwave, etc..

[Isaacs]

I've run a 24" television off of a cheap Harbor Freight inverter (45 watts, I think) with no issue.

But, as redsnapper says, you may have other 120 volt needs.

[Siamese]

Thanks, but nope, don't want to use it for anything else. I've been cruising on my sailboat for a few decades with 12v power, and never had an inverter. Just looking for what's best for providing 40 watts to a television.

Good to know the Harbor Freight unit works well.

[mikem56]

whatever size you get, just make sure it is a Pure Sine Wave Inverter it is the best for electronics.

[Bassdogs]

Originally Posted by Siamese

Thanks, but nope, don't want to use it for anything else. I've been cruising on my sailboat for a few decades with 12v power, and never had an inverter. Just looking for what's best for providing 40 watts to a television.

Good to know the Harbor Freight unit works well.

Well then there we have it. Wondering why you ask the question. Just grab a cheap modified sine wave and power it up via the cig lighter plug and you're good to go, that is until it smokes the tv but then you can always buy another one.

You will find that the advise on the forum is pretty good and usually based on a lot of experience and knowledge. Personally even though I pretty much only use my inverter to power the dish/tv entertainment center, I installed a 600 watt psw. Has a lot of extra power if I need it. In your case I would not go less than 300 watts but you can get by with 150.

[goducks]

You can get a 150W inverter for $20 +/-. I've used several over the years. Only thing about the small ones is some last longer than others and with some the fan is noisier.
150 seems like overkill, but price wise it's not.

[33 RLDS]

I bought a cheap one slight bigger than a credit card but less than an inch think. It powers the tv fine. Only issue is my tv is 36 feet away from the battery and when the water pump is used, it shuts off due to current drop. If I dry camped more I would probably put the water pump on its own battery

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by 33 RLDS

I bought a cheap one slight bigger than a credit card but less than an inch think. It powers the tv fine. Only issue is my tv is 36 feet away from the battery and when the water pump is used, it shuts off due to current drop. If I dry camped more I would probably put the water pump on its own battery

Most inverters have an automatic shutdown set at 10.5 VDC. A problem with that is that your inverter is no longer putting out 110 -115VAC at 10.5VDC (under load). Inverters are designed to produce 115VAC @ approximately 12.5 - 13VDC. Under load my inverter produces 115VAC at 12.8VDC. At 12.1VDC it is producing 99.5VDC. Your need to keep your voltage as close as possible to that designed voltage. The Mfr ASSUMES (that work again) that you will be keeping the voltage at that point or higer.

So, 2 points here. If you are hitting the inverter automatic disconnect point (10.5VDC) your inverter was producing well under 110VAC at that point, and electronics do not like that, especially if it surges back up to a higher voltage You are also putting a big dent in the life of your TT battery, by dropping below the 12.0 VDC point (battery 50% rule). A dead 12 volt battery is 10.5VDC.

Your best bet would be to increase your TT's battery Ah's. If you have a the standard 85Ah (can only use 40ish Ah) battery that usually comes with the TT, add another in parallel and you then 170Ah (and you can use 80ish Ah).

There is no reason to keep them separate, either way you have 170Ah (80 useable)

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[klspahr]

Skip the inverter, go to bestbuy and get a tv with a wall wart that outputs 12vdc. Cut off the DC cord and connect it directly to your battery!