Using to much power?

the antenna is not the problem

you have added more 'power use' to 'weak batteries'

and still haven't listed the TV's power use, to get an idea of TOTAL power drain per hour for entertainment

I agree with Bill. DirecTV receivers are notorious power hogs especially the DVRs. When you turn them off all you are killing are the lights on the front. The hard drive and the rest of the components are still drawing power. The only way to stop it is to unplug when not in use. Then, of course it will have to go through the set-up while you watch the just a few minutes more scroll for at least ten or 15 minutes when you restart.

The DirecTV receiver uses about 25 watts at all times that it is in use and also uses 5-10 watts at all times that it is plugged in whether being used or not.
As mentioned above, the antenna does not use any unless it is moving and the receiver sends power to the antenna to activate the LNB.

MrWizard wrote:
has to use a few watts to power the receiver
you might be surprised, it might be 5amps/60watts continuous

I didn't make myself clear in my previous post. Not sure what the receiver draw is but the ANTENNA only draws 5 amps off the 12 volt hookup WHILE it is auto seeking the satellite. The receivers power consumption is another issue.
Steve

I would expect a satellite receiver, like a digital cable receiver, to draw significantly more power than a BluRay or DVD player. Especially if multi-tuner and also a DVR. I know the box gets good and hot, needs plenty of ventilation.

has to use a few watts to power the receiver
you might be surprised, it might be 5amps/60watts continuous

YC 1 wrote:
What are the current draw specs of the carryout?? How is it powered?

There is a 12 volt plug in addition to the coax. The 12 volt draw is 5 amps but only if you change channel and have to go to the other satellite. I believe that the rest of the time there is no or at least minimal draw.

Steve

What are the current draw specs of the carryout?? How is it powered?

The batteries are only about 1.5 years old and have been kept charged over that time. I run the generator about 3-4 hours each day and check the water level regularly. When at home I will plug the trailer in regularly for a few days at a time just to keep them charged up. I am planning to add 2 more batteries in the near future and hopefully some solar down the road as $$ permit. In order to add batteries though I will have to move the battery storage to the front basement, to do this I have to make some changes to that compartment to accommodate battery storage. The reason I went with the bigger inverter was to handle bigger loads when I do go to a bigger battery bank and solar. Guess I should have done a 1000 watt instead.

Perhaps I can sell this inverter and get one a bit smaller that can better serve my needs.

Steve

You did not state how old the batteries were, but your camping habits caused the batteries to sulfate and lose capacity over time.

In order to have batteries last long they need to be quickly recharged such as running the generator each day long enough to get to 90% charge, and getting fully charged on shore-power right after getting to a powered location.

People who just use battery for a single light, water-pump, refrigerator of propane, have light usage and can charge right after getting home for a weekend.

You have the classic case of finally noticing the reduced battery capacity after adding something new to run off the inverter.

Take better care of the next pair and they will last longer. ;)