Looking for a decent inverter to run an LCD TV only. Don't need anything big, thinking around 300 watts. Looking for the type with the plug for 12v socket, don't want to hard wire. Any suggestions?

Smk and I love our Go Power 300W pure sine wave inverters. Morningstar also makes a great 300W too. That one is fanless I think and doesn't have a plug on the unit (you hard wire it). Both units can be wired to use a simple remote on/off switch.Go PowerMorningstar Suresine

LCDs don't use a lot of power. I use this one,small and cheap and no problems at all with it running my 27 in. LCD TV, plugs right in.Inverter

You do not need a 300 W inverter if you are using the existing cig type plug. It will not have near the amps and too much voltage drop. Any cheap inverter you can get anywhere for 25 bucks that is 85-150 watts is all you need for your application.

I didn't want to hard wire either. I also only wanted to run a tv. I found a 165 watt inverter that plugs directly into the 12 v receptacle. i bought a "jump pack" with a 12 v receptacle. I plug the inverter in to it for the tv. It lasts about 4 hours., and I have had to jump a truck off it. I can't kill my trailer battery and it recharges quickly when I have 120v.

For running audio/visual/radio equipement (TV's are all of the above) I always recommend TRUE SINE WAVE inverters as opposed to MSW.. I realize you wanted a brand name recommendation. But ... From what I have read, in the power class you are looking at, (less than 500 watts) and for that matter in the higher power classes as well.Most all the TSW inverters are very good.In the world of MSW's there are some that are kind of nasty, but the companies that go to the trouble of making True Sine Wave units generally do a good job.Total exceptions I know of = zeroSo Samulex makes a 300 watt, as do a couple other companies, and any and all of them that I have heard of play to good reviews. My inverter is: A: much larger and B: no longer made, so we will skip it.

Recommend a decent inverter brand | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jun 12, 2014
Great info folks.
mena661
Explorer
Jun 12, 2014
jhilley wrote:

The AIM 180 watt for $79
That's pretty cheap. Do you own this one?
jhilley
Explorer
Jun 12, 2014
Ron3rd wrote:
daamac wrote:
Consider the amperage capability of the 12 volt outlet and wiring and fuses. For example, for a 300 watt inverter, you'll need to have at least 25 amps available at the 12 volt outlet (12 x 25 = 300).

I agree, that's why I'll stick to something around 150w. Just gonna run a TV and probably a dvd player.

You can still use a 180 watt inverter, just don't plug in more than 150 watts at a time. Better to have a little reserve.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jun 12, 2014
Another option as well.. I have 3 TV's in this house
One Dynex, I think it uses 120vac
one "Off brand" not sure how it's powered think a 12 volt converter brick.
one Samsung... Now this is the baby.. For one thing if I ever were to take a TV outside this is the one I'd take. (The only one not BOLTED in place, it sits in the laundry basket when on the road)

But the thing... Some people claim that hooking a 12 volt TV direct to the motor home 12 volt system has damaged the tv, since the MH is really more like 13.6 (13.6 is close enough to 12 it should not)

But the Samsung... is 14 volt.. I suspect it will work very well on 12 if I get the proper power cord.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jun 12, 2014
daamac wrote:
Consider the amperage capability of the 12 volt outlet and wiring and fuses. For example, for a 300 watt inverter, you'll need to have at least 25 amps available at the 12 volt outlet (12 x 25 = 300).

I agree, that's why I'll stick to something around 150w. Just gonna run a TV and probably a dvd player.
jhilley
Explorer
Jun 12, 2014
daamac wrote:
Consider the amperage capability of the 12 volt outlet and wiring and fuses. For example, for a 300 watt inverter, you'll need to have at least 25 amps available at the 12 volt outlet (12 x 25 = 300).

This is true. The 180 watt will take 15 amps at full power. 125 watts of use would be 10 amps. Make sure that your cigarette lighter socket is fused for what you need.
RVhiker
Explorer
Jun 12, 2014
Consider the amperage capability of the 12 volt outlet and wiring and fuses. For example, for a 300 watt inverter, you'll need to have at least 25 amps available at the 12 volt outlet (12 x 25 = 300).
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jun 12, 2014
jhilley wrote:
Ron3rd wrote:
mena661 wrote:
Go Power makes a PSW 150W unit also.

CLICKY

Thanks for the link. I'd like to find something around 70-80 bucks for PSW if possible.

The AIM 180 watt for $79

Thanks, I'll check it out.
jhilley
Explorer
Jun 12, 2014
Ron3rd wrote:
mena661 wrote:
Go Power makes a PSW 150W unit also.

CLICKY

Thanks for the link. I'd like to find something around 70-80 bucks for PSW if possible.

The AIM 180 watt for $79
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jun 12, 2014
mena661 wrote:
Go Power makes a PSW 150W unit also.

CLICKY

Thanks for the link. I'd like to find something around 70-80 bucks for PSW if possible.