Winegard Wall Plate Power Supply

Guys, if it's a 400 watt inverter that's only 3.33 A at the output.

I will speculate that the invert with it's overhead inefficiencies shouldn't draw more than 4 A max with 400 watt output, which they normally are specified with "peak output".

I'll guess that the 12V load for the average small flat screen will be 1 amp or less. I have a 23" that dissipates only about 24 watts.

The old CRT TV's pulled a lot more current than the modern flat screens.

If you load it up you should smoke the inverter long before the outlet.

Put an amp meter on the 12 volt line and try it. Then you'll know for sure what it pulls.

It's not the outlet, it's the small gauge wire that powers it. I had 150w inverter plugged into mine and the low voltage alarm went off if the batteries dropped below 80%. Wired it up with a transfer switch to power the circuit the TVs are on and no more worries.

wa8yxm wrote:
You can get a basic wall plate with a 10 or 20 amp rating, you will need to install the proper wires though, the wires feeding the Winegard are not up to 5 amps, let alone 10-20.

Better option is to install inverter close to (But not in the same air space) as battery and run 120 volt lead to near TV, install a 2nd outlet there (Red or orange in color, indicating "Emergency power" to power the tv and related hardware.

Another good idea! Thanks.

You can get a basic wall plate with a 10 or 20 amp rating, you will need to install the proper wires though, the wires feeding the Winegard are not up to 5 amps, let alone 10-20.

Better option is to install inverter close to (But not in the same air space) as battery and run 120 volt lead to near TV, install a 2nd outlet there (Red or orange in color, indicating "Emergency power" to power the tv and related hardware.

So there isn't a stronger outlet than 8 amps? I've tried the direct connect to the inverter to make all the outlets live. Works great but with precautions. That might be the best way to go.

Any other suggestions? And yes, I was using an old CRT type television but I do have an LED 21 inch that I can use.

Thanks.

The 8 amps limit is not for the inverter "size" as such. It is for how much of a load you plug into the inverter. You can use the 400w inverter as long as its load is under say 90w. That could be a TV and DVD (as long as the TV is not a monster.) Also the TV must be an LCD, not the old CRT type which have a big starting surge.

If still no good, then you are in for an inverter installation of some kind. Or you can use the 400w one's battery clamps set and clamp it to the battery lugs on your DC Panel inside and run an extension cord/power bar over to the TV set. Trip over the wires in the dark every so often :(

You can put the inverter outside clamped to the battery and plug your shore power cable into it, making the receptacles live, so the TV etc works. You must turn off the converter doing that. (fridge and water heater on gas too)

It is not just the rated power supply of the Winegard, it is the SIZE and length of the 12 volt wire supplying the Winegard. But, NO, there is no larger rated Winegard Power supply. What you do is, if you will connect to the existing wire supply regardless of its size. install a 2nd higher rated 12 volt wall plug next to the Winegard power supply. Doug

Not a good idea. The wire going in is usually to small of a gauge to handle it. Run a new heavier wire back to the battery.

Connect a power outlet before the TV power supply. You can get them at any auto parts store.
Should add to check to see what size wire is feeding the power supply.
You should also check what you want to plug into the inverter. DVD and TV should be far less than 4000 watts. You maybe able to get by with a 150 watt.