Run TV off inverter?

[deppeler]

Hi,

I have a 2015 Kodiak TT with a 12v DC 8 amp outlet (winegard amp plug).
I have a 120v 29" LED TV that has an output of 42 watts.
My question, can I plug an PSW inverter into the 12v DC outlet to power the TV?
If so, what would be the maximum size inverter I could use in the 12v outlet?

Thanks
Paul

[wa8yxm]

deppeler wrote:
Hi,

I have a 2015 Kodiak TT with a 12v DC 8 amp outlet (winegard amp plug).
I have a 120v 29" LED TV that has an output of 42 watts.
My question, can I plug an PSW inverter into the 12v DC outlet to power the TV?
If so, what would be the maximum size inverter I could use in the 12v outlet?

Thanks
Paul

Very likely no, though that outlet may be rated at 8 amps, it delivers closer to 1 or 2. That is a very anemic outlet.

Better option: replace the wall plate with a SENSAR PRO (about a hundred bucks MSRP) this will greatly improve your over the air TV expierence.

THEN mount the inverter close to the batteries cause heavy duty wires are expensive and run 120 volt wiring to the TV site, install a 2nd outlet there (red or Orange in color to distinguish between it and the standard ones) and enjoy.

[2112]

I turn off my microwave at the breaker because it will have a constant small draw on the inverter. I'm on a single group 27 battery so I have to account for mA's.

HERE is a recent similar thread that may help you.

[2oldman]

deppeler wrote:
a 1500w PSW inverter (and 2x 6v deep cycle batteries), could I leave the microwave breaker turned on then?

Maybe. Most of us have better luck with 4 batteries.

deppeler wrote:
Is the microwave off because of the power draw if accidentally turned on?

Yes. You don't have to flip the breaker, it's just a reminder. If you happen to try to run it the inverter will just shut down. Nothing will explode.

[time2roll]

deppeler wrote:

smkettner wrote:
8 amps 12 volts = 96 watts. Stay a bit under for best results.
Or wire in an inverter to the regular outlets.

Thanks for the info, is it complicated to wire it into the regular outlets?

Small inverter to a single branch circuit is fairly simple. Especially if you have space near the fuse/breaker panel.

With a small inverter (150/300 watts) you just use the main battery feed for 12v power. Then use a small transfer switch to connect to the branch circuit.

Something like this:

Go Power 300w sine wave $172

KISAE 15A transfer switch $50

[CT_WANDERER]

I would think you would want to keep your inverter draw on the battery Low as possible. If you are converting 12vdc to 120vac, 24hours a day you could run your battery down fast. So a lot of use turn off whatever we can that runs on AC.

[deppeler]

2112 wrote:

deppeler wrote:

Thanks for the info, is it complicated to wire it into the regular outlets?

I also have a 400W MSW that connects to the battery with alligator clamps like on jumper cables.
You can turn OFF your converter and microwave at the breaker panel, set the fridge to propane and plug your shore power cable into the inverter using a 30A-20A adapter. All 120VAC outlets will have power at this point. Make sure the electric water heater and Air Conditioner are powered OFF

I went one step farther but I'll spare you this.

OK that's the best I have heard yet, thanks 🙂
So to connect my shore power into the inverter, as it would sit in the cargo bay, this would have to be open all the time (at night, etc)for the cord going from the outside of the TT to inside the bay, correct?
Is there perhaps a way to add an extra 30 amp plugin in the cargo bay (probably a dumb question)?
Is the microwave off because of the power draw if accidentally turned on?
I am thinking of getting a portable 120W solar kit and a 1500w PSW inverter (and 2x 6v deep cycle batteries), could I leave the microwave breaker turned on then?

thanks

[DutchmenSport]

Before investing in anything, consider those plugs in most campers are undersized. They are smaller (in diameter) than a normal automobile cigarette lighter plug. Most things (like 12 volt televisions and inverters, even Tom-Tom, or 12 volt electric cooler plugs are all too big for the plug in campers. I do not know, never will understand, why they put smaller plugs in campers than cannot be used any anything, unless it's a way to ensure whatever is plugged into them is not drawing too much. Once again, before spending money, check the plug in your camper and make sure it actually usable.

[2112]

deppeler wrote:

Thanks for the info, is it complicated to wire it into the regular outlets?

I also have a 400W MSW that connects to the battery with alligator clamps like on jumper cables.
You can turn OFF your converter and microwave at the breaker panel, set the fridge to propane and plug your shore power cable into the inverter using a 30A-20A adapter. All 120VAC outlets will have power at this point. Make sure the electric water heater and Air Conditioner are powered OFF

I went one step farther but I'll spare you this.

[deppeler]

Thanks everyone for your input 🙂

[deppeler]

smkettner wrote:
8 amps 12 volts = 96 watts. Stay a bit under for best results.
Or wire in an inverter to the regular outlets.

Thanks for the info, is it complicated to wire it into the regular outlets?

[2112]

A 100W MSW inverter plugged into the 8A socket has worked fine for me powering our TV and sat receiver.

[RoyB]

We do the INVERTER thing as well but elected not to use the 12VDC DC source coming from the Antenna Wall Plate Panel. We have NOT had good luck using the cheap cigarette lighter connections in the past with just pulling 5AMPS of DC current.

There is also the issue of after hooking up the HDTV to the Inverter you end up wanting to add a few other like items that is part of your home entertainment center. The HDTV, DVD, WX ALERT RADIO, Charger for cell phones, charger for computer, maybe a small desk lamp and fan etc are some of the 120VAC small wattage items we also wanted to run when camping off the power grid.

We ended up installing a 600WATT AIMS PSW Inverter ($149 AMAZON) directly off the battery switch and running two 120VAC drop cords from the two 120VAC Inverter Receptacles. One drop cord went to the home entertainment area and the second drop cord went to the bed room night table location.

We usually only run about 300WATTS with the other small wattage 120VAC items we have and the remaining 300WATTS is just reserve power to use if we need it. A 120VAC Bean Coffee grinder is one item we sometimes use for a couple of minutes...

Our Battery Bank has 255AHs capacity and does just fine for the one day/night run off the battery bank. We always use our 2KW Generator connected to the trailer shore power connections using a RV30A-15A adapter to re-charge our battery bank each morning. This allows the on-board smart mode converter/charger setup to recharge our 50% charge state batteries back up to their 90% charge state in just a three hour generator run time starting at 8AM each morning. Now we can do this all over again for the next day/night run off the batteries.

Using the Antenna Wall Plate may work just fine for you. Just keep in mind the cheap 12V cigarette lighter connection may over heat for you. Probably a good idea to keep check the plug connection as you use it. I would use a PURE SINE WAVE Inverter for any electronics you want to power up. Blowing the 12VDC FUSE for the antenna wall plate will turn off the pre-amplifier mounted in the head of the BATWING antenna. You may have other 12VDC items on the same circuit.

Just passing on what we did for INVERTER power for our Home Entertainment items plus a few other low wattage items as well when camping off the power grid.

Roy Ken

[time2roll]

8 amps 12 volts = 96 watts. Stay a bit under for best results.
Or wire in an inverter to the regular outlets.

[2oldman]

It's good for a hundred watts.