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Topic Closednewbie inverter question - Event Date: 15 Nov 2015
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Posts: 51 		Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: newbie inverter question
    Posted: 15 Nov 2015 at 12:42pm
Howdy all, I'm hoping that you with experience in this area can offer some advice.  About 80% of our camping is dry.  We would like to be able to watch movies etc without having to fire up the generator.  Would it be better to just replace the tv with a 12v or wire in an inverter.  I have read here that a pure sine inverter is the one to get if that is the way I go.  Any advice on brand, size of inverter, source to purchace from would be great.  Also, any pros or cons that anyone can offer would be awesome.

Thanks in advance,  Rod
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov 2015 at 1:44pm
It's "best" to go with a 12v TV. that way it only draws what it needs from the battery bank. An inverter draws it's full rating PLUS "overhead" at all times. So a TV needing 45watts, will pull.. 45 watts. But that same TV plugged into say, a 200 watt inverter.. the inverter isgoing to draw 200 watts PLUS about 20% to run itself.. so 240 watts, vs 45watts...
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Posts: 51 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov 2015 at 2:25pm
Thanks furpod! I knew there was a lot more to it than what I was thinking.  
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov 2015 at 5:47pm
Originally posted by furpod


An inverter draws it's full rating PLUS "overhead" at all times. So a TV needing 45watts, will pull.. 45 watts. But that same TV plugged into say, a 200 watt inverter.. the inverter isgoing to draw 200 watts PLUS about 20% to run itself.. so 240 watts, vs 45watts...


Furpod,

Not so. The inverter will pull the required wattage (45 watts in your example) divided by some efficiency number, plus some overhead wattage. The efficiency number is mostly circuit losses. So, at low levels, the inverter may pull 45 watts divided by, maybe 80%, or ~56 watts. Not 240 watts. The higher the inverter rating the higher the overhead so one should size the inverter to the required load plus some safety factor.

That said, I do agree the 12V TV is the best solution. That's what I have.
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov 2015 at 5:55pm
Originally posted by furpod

It's "best" to go with a 12v TV. that way it only draws what it needs from the battery bank. An inverter draws it's full rating PLUS "overhead" at all times. So a TV needing 45watts, will pull.. 45 watts. But that same TV plugged into say, a 200 watt inverter.. the inverter isgoing to draw 200 watts PLUS about 20% to run itself.. so 240 watts, vs 45watts...

The inverter will draw what the load needs - for this example 45 watts - but only at 85-90% efficiency, so about 52 watts.  Plus its own overhead, usually around 5 watts for a 150 watt inverter (typical size for a cigarette-lighter-powered inverter).  Total 57 watts.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov 2015 at 5:57pm
Looks like Charlie and I were typing at the same time....
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Nov 2015 at 5:13pm
Interestingly, when I turn mine on, (admittedly, old, and modified sine) My surge remote shows two amps being pulled, drops the load when I shut the inverter off, and no matter what I plug into it, it shows a draw of 2A.. (200 watt Belkin)
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Nov 2015 at 5:42pm
  1. Stuff in trash can.
  2. Hammer lid on tightly .
  3. Buy a new inverter. Your battery will love you.
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Nov 2015 at 8:52pm
Bahh.. have only used it twice in 5 years.. 
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Posts: 61 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2015 at 12:06pm
Originally posted by Rockin the Pod

Would it be better to just replace the tv with a 12v or wire in an inverter.  I have read here that a pure sine inverter is the one to get if that is the way I go.  

The others are right, the most efficient method is 12v, but you should also consider personal preference. I've wired in a 300W Pure Sine inverter (Morningstar Suresine). It's a more costly, and more work (initially), than just getting a 12v TV, but it offers a lot of versatility. You have more options with the TV, either to keep the old one, or pick a better upgrade later, when sticking with 110v and an inverter. It's also allowed me to recharge laptops and other small wattage devices. 

Ultimately you'll probably end up with an inverter anyway, even if you buy a 12v TV now, so factor that into your decision and decide how you'll use electronics in general.
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