Making 115 VAC Available when mobile

[Its_Hondo]

My 2005 Fleetwood Jamboree electrical system allows 115 vac to the outlets -

- When shore power cord is plugged into an outlet
- with the generator running

but not when driving & the generator is off.

This is a factory limitation that I'd like to get around.

There is 145 amps of 12v DC electrical power available from the engine driven alternator. I'm not sure what inverter I have installed, but the previous owner told me that it was upgraded to a "very large capacity" unit a while back.

What would it take to enable the inverter to supply 115 vac when running off of the alternator?

[LI-Camper]

I bought an 18.5" RCA TV with a built -in DVD player. It runs on 120v if you use the included cord with a brick. Or you can use the other included cord without a brick and plug it into a female 12v outlet. This works well from a wide range of viewing angles. No need for an inverter. Buy it on Amazon.

[OldRadios]

The Samsung replaced a Sylvaina TV with the viewing angle problem in the bedroom. The TV is on top shelf at the celling and not tilted down. No problems watching it from the bed.

Edit - Additional Samsung 12V adapter information added:

If considering purchasing one of the Samsung TVs, the RadioShack #270-052 enercell car power adapter with the "T" tip (# 273-0332) fits the DC input on the TV. The 12V adapter has an on/off switch in the end of the cigarette lighter plug so you can switch off the DC power to the TV completely without having to unplug it between uses. The TV does not seem to loose it's channel or input memory when the power is cut so no set-up is needed each time you plug it back in.

Keep the AC power supply handy if you want to run it off shore or generator power when nor boondocking.

The power outlet for my bedroom TV has an AC plug and a 12V plug so this set up works great. No inverter needed now.

[IAMICHABOD]

One thing to remember when purchasing a TV for the RV is to look at the viewing angle, if you can go to the store and sit lower then off to each side to see what it looks like at those angles.

Most times in a RV you wont be looking straight on at it. I found out the hard way after buying and returning 2 TVs, that sometimes at those angles the screen is washed out or black making them un-viewable.

After buying a Samsung and a RCA I found a Insignia that has a much larger viewing angle. I Run it off a small inverter or AC if I have hookups.

In my RV with the TV in the front or the rear bedroom you have to look up at it. This TV works great in both areas.

[OldRadios]

I've had two ask since I posted above what TV runs on the batteries so here's the poop:

I purchased a Samsung T24C550ND 24" TV. It's one of their standard models.

It has the power supply in the cord that changes the 110 AC to 14V DC. I can use the AC cord that came with it if I want to plug it into the AC shore power or use the generator. I made a DC cigarette lighter plug cord for it that plugs into the back (it has a 14V DC In jack for the AC to DC power pack/cord that comes with it) and I run it on batteries most of the time.

Amazon: Samsung T24C550ND

Read the Amazon review on using it in an RV as it won't mount flat on a wall so you would need a VESA mount with an arm to mount it on a wall.
The 26" and up Samsungs have an internal power supply so they don't have a 14 VDC jack on the back.

Hope this helps.

[Snowman9000]

OldRadios wrote:
Some current Samsung TVs under 24" have power bricks that supply 14V DC to the TVs. If you also find a DVD player that operates off 12 VDC you don't need an inverter.

I just replaced the bedroom TV in mine with a 24" Samsung. Now looking for a Blue-Ray player that will run off the batteries.

Only thing left after that is to find a amplifier that will run off 12 VDC that's compatible with my Weingard antenna.

We put the 24" Samsung in our small C, and run it direct to DC. Love it. It ran fine from 12.0v to 14.+v, and with a great picture.

[OldRadios]

Some current Samsung TVs under 24" have power bricks that supply 14V DC to the TVs. If you also find a DVD player that operates off 12 VDC you don't need an inverter.

I just replaced the bedroom TV in mine with a 24" Samsung. Now looking for a Blue-Ray player that will run off the batteries.

Only thing left after that is to find a amplifier that will run off 12 VDC that's compatible with my Weingard antenna.

[Dusty_R]

bsinmich wrote:
I think one item that got a few confused here is the abbreviations.
AC= Alternating Current
AC= Air Conditioning

AC= Allis Chalmers :>)

[DaHose]

I find that there is a surprising amount of devices that will run on 12V nowadays. I will be installing a 19" widescreen monitor that runs on a 12V wall-wart. You can also find portable DVD players and other equipment that will run on 12V at any auto parts place and even Target/Walmart.

About the only thing that is an issue nowadays is a refrigerator. For my needs, the cost and load that a good inverter puts on your 12V system makes a nice Honda 2000i a better choice. I am looking for one and plan to mount it to my rear bumper in a secure box. Although, maybe it would be a better weight distribution at the front. I ran a 2000i for 48 hours on about 3 gallons of gas and it operated my fridge, coffee pot and all electrical needs for the weekend. To me, that's a way better value than a $500 inverter that will just run my fridge. I am seldom anywhere that doesn't have shore power and won't let me run a generator.

Jose

[bsinmich]

I think one item that got a few confused here is the abbreviations.
AC= Alternating Current
AC= Air Conditioning

[Chopperbob]

I just Bought a 1500w psw from the converter
Guy on Line for $475.
Bob

[D_E_Bishop]

Hondo, Our 24" and 19" LED TVs are both either 12 VDC off a brick in an outlet or 12 VDC off the batteries. Both are under 20 Watts. Our BluRay player is also a 12 VDC off a brick or 12 VDC off the batteries. No Problems using the 100 Watt inverter up front or the 8 Watt in the back if I want to but I have never wanted to.

A LCD or LED will not need more than 30 watts and the BluRay is less than ten, no problem with the alternator keeping up with that.

[time2roll]

Its_Hondo wrote:
Thanks for the replies guys- I'll look into what is installed & go from there.

My main motivation is to be able to use a DVD player & tv while driving (for the kids). I know that I can install a separate inverter with a direct link to the AC circuits, just wanted to know your thoughts & insights as I know the larger motorhomes have this capability built in.

If you don't have one then by all means put one in.
I recommend Go Power 300w sine wave.

[carringb]

My E350 has the same alternator.

I have a 1,500 Watt continuous 2,000 watt peak inverter. It is connected to the single aux ("house") battery which is charged through the stock Ford aux battery charge circuit. This circuit only charges at about 30 amps max, however the inverter can run most modest loads indefinitly, and even severe load, like a 1500 watt coolant heater with pump (for pre-heating a race car) it will still run for 15 minutes.

I've even had the van running continuiously for 8 hours at a time solely to provide stationary power. Alternator still works fine (it will hit 374,000 miles tomorrow).

[copeland343]

You are likely to overheat the windings in your alternator. Alternators are not designed to run with a heavy load for extended periods of time. Also the bigger the load you have on your alternator the harder it is to turn and is rough on belts and pulleys and wiring.