TV inverter full time

I use a very small inverter for my DirecTV box so I don't have to have it fire up each time I want to use it AND buy keeping on it will record programs. Now thy big TV is on regular power.

Moffittclan wrote:
.How can I verify if the power is passthrough or if it's being inverted? Would it pass through if the inverter is turned off?

Run the MW and see if the battery voltage drops. No, passthrough is usually not happening if the inverter is off.

I hooked up my DTV DVR 24*7 to inverter because the xfer switch wasn't fast enough to keep the dvr from rebooting.

My Direct Sat/DVR uses 2 amps/12v like Bill Sat said... 25W. The TV another 2 when watching so not enough power to worry about so I leave mine on 24/7 but that inverter is on a transfer switch.

It is allright to leave inverter on full time provided batteries have a source of recharge. NOTE: many of those inverters are "inline" devices and stand down if shore power is preset (would need to see how yours is wired to be sure)

But if you are not connected to shore power, or another source of power (Generator, Main engine running alternator) I'd turn it off when not needed.

Page 2: IF the TV is where the driver can see it (IE: Overhead) it MUST be off when driving... However DVR's can still record. also if the TV is elsewhere (Say behind the driver's seat) It's ok to be on.. If I had co-travelers I might invest in a "headrest" TV for the kiddies, I can't see it, butr well.. There is a window that would let them watch even with the slide in (right behind my head).

Our TV and PC etc
Stays on inverter 24/7, inverter is always on, unless I'm servicing the wiring
Never on site power, even when hooked up
As long as you have the batteries you are good to go
Keep satellite lock and DVR working

Hi,

If you have shore power then what you are doing is called double conversion. It is not going to make much difference to the cost of power, so I'd ignore it.

If you have an adequate solar system, again I'd ignore the losses, which may amount to about 12% of the wattage that the entertainment devices use.

If you have battery power only and are recharging from a generator it might be prudent to turn the inverter off when it is not in use, and put up with the ten minute download. Even then, the loss is a tiny number.

Use a kill-a-watt meter to find out how much power is being consumed, and make your decision based on that information.

Mine has been turned on 24/7 for over 13 years of Full Time.
When shore power is lost from power outages. It does a fast change over.

I run my PC and at least one 32 inch TV (sometimes two 32 inch TV's) off my inverter. It automatically switches to 110 if plugged in. The PC is always on and sometimes the TV is on all day. My RV stays plugged in 24/7 except when driving. I've never had a problem with batteries going dead or inverter overheating. The only drawback is when I first plug or unplug the PC & TV goes off and has to be turned back on. I may add a battery backup and solve that problem someday.

Are you at a campsite with shore power? If yes, plug into the regular outlets.
- In principal, the battery charger should replace everything the inverter pulls out but I would lean towards avoiding the AC/DC/AC convertions unless there really is a need.

If you aren't on shore power, I would turn it off to conserve battery power.

dahkota wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
If you are plugged in during that period the inverter should not be necessary to provide power to the TV and receiver as it should be designed to pass A/C when plugged in and act as an inverter when you are not connected to shore power.

It depends on how it is wired. He states he has to turn on the inverter to watch tv. If this is true when he is on shore power, then the outlet he is plugging in to is only powered by the inverter.

If you are plugged in, then yes, leave the inverter on so the DVR has power. If you are not plugged in but have adequate solar power leave it on. If you are not plugged in and do not have solar power, you may have to worry about the state of charge of your batteries.

We leave ours on 24X7 but it is wired as a passthrough when we have shore power.

You state that you leave it on 24x7 but it's wired as a passthrough...How can I verify if the power is passthrough or if it's being inverted? Would it pass through if the inverter is turned off?

Thanks for your help!