DW wants to watch tv,help!

Phase II! Now that I'm rollin, (my mind), What about a solar charging setup to take care of the batteries, I really detest using my Honda 3000 even to run the microwave and run the DW's blow dryer. I have seen a Go-Power 120watt portable charging system that looks like it would go real nice with my batteries. However reasonable the price seems, can I put one together for less? All it appears to be is a couple of solar panels, a solar charge controller and some cables? Thanks!

sjturbo wrote:
..1500 watt Tiger Claw inverter on you tube. ... running my 150 watt tv, 20 watt dish receiver should be good for some time with my two Crown 235 6volt in series?.. inverter would be in the same general storage area, just not in the same box as the batteries. Should that be ok?

That inverter looks like a good choice.

I'd be comfortable saying you can safely get about 4-5 hours TV watching with that setup.

Yah.. you just don't want the inverter exposed to any harmful fumes.

Ok then, Let's see how this floats. I have been eyeing a 1500 watt Tiger Claw inverter on you tube. A couple of people have done extensive testing on it and it seems to be a darn good inverter for the price. That said, running my 150 watt tv, 20 watt dish receiver should be good for some time with my two Crown 235 6volt in series? I will need to run 12/3 from front to rear of 5er to power tv and receiver. Also I have read that you don't want the inverter and batteries in the same area? I actually have a wood box built around the batteries and they are vented to the outside. But the inverter would be in the same general storage area, just not in the same box as the batteries. Should that be ok?

enblethen wrote:
My TV only draws 17 watts.

I don't know what kind of TV draws only 17w. That's an unrealistically low wattage for any tv and receiver which any Rver would be powering with an inverter.

My tv plus receiver is around 150w. That's a heck of a lot more than the rated "<22w" of idle power consumption in the spec sheet you posted. I don't know if smaller inverters are any more efficient than the big xantrex are.

Loss would be calculated on draw not capacity

As in the referenced Xantrex spec sheet, their inverter has an efficiency of 89-90 percent.
My TV only draws 17 watts. So calculate what the loss would be using a 1500 watt inverter on say 50 watts at 89/90 percent efficiency. It will be close.
A small inverters losses would be less.
All I am saying is get a small inverter for now to operate the equipment he wants to use. TV, Receiver and the dish.

I have a battery disconnect on my 1000 watt inverter. It only uses power when I decide to use it.

That said, batteries need to be sized for required usage.

I thought You were asking for a quick way to get your TV etc working. I think the simplest way is to get an inverter, hook it to your batteries in the RV or vehicle and run the power to the equipment. May be several ways to do that. One being to plug the RV into the inverter, turning off everything that runs on electric (including the conveter, fridge, water heater etc) other than the TV etc. I don't really know how well the newer TV's function on the cheaper inverters.

enblethen wrote:
No inverter will operate with out some losses. Cheaper inverters will have more loss.

Yes, we all know that, but that's not what I interpreted your last post to say.. or imply.

enblethen wrote:
1500 will use more power internally then what your current appliances (TV-sat receiver) will use.

What does that mean?

Here is a spec sheet for Xantrex Prosine. You will se on page 2 that the unit draws whether it is in use or not.
The efficiency is between 89 & 90 percent.
No inverter will operate with out some losses. Cheaper inverters will have more loss.
Xantrex
Your 12 volt system will need some battery power and the inverter will draw a lot. OP says he plans to expand at some time. Coffee pot or microwave/convection type ovens need battery capacity. Possible 1500 watts at 12 volts will draw batteries down quickly.

sjturbo wrote:
Why would I need two additional batteries?

You don't, not to run small stuff. I think he thinks if you put in a 1500w inverter, you're going to be running 1500w of stuff.

I can't wait to see what he says.