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Old 02-15-2009, 05:40 AM   #1
JMG
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What size inverter for TV & Laptop?

What size inverter do you need to run a TV and maybe the laptop?
I assume you connect it to your battery - then how do you run the 120 volts to the TV?
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Old 02-15-2009, 07:19 AM   #2
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Look at the power ratings on the laptop and TV; that will tell you the minimum size that the inverter needs to be. Find the inverter that you want to use and see what dc current it will draw when everything you want to connect is plugged in; that will let you figure out how big the cables need to be to connect to the battery. Usually, you will install the inverter fairly close to the battery so that the dc cables will be short.

The inverter will have standard ac outlets that will let you plug the TV and laptop into it, directly or by an extension cord.

I'm sure someone will come along with a more complete description and a website that will give a lot more information about inverters, but at least you have a thumbnail idea of what you need.

Bob
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Old 02-15-2009, 10:24 AM   #3
Waynem
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The laptop will draw very little. I run an inverter that is rated at 120 watts for my laptop. I just plug it into the cigarette lighter. Works great with no problems. As for the television:

DIVIDE the indicated Watts on the label by the indicated VOLTAGE to get the amperage. Or, Multiply the amperage by the voltage to get the wattage. Remember that the initial power-up of an appliance is going to be more than the continuous draw of the appliance.

A television is between 1.5 and 5 amps. And don't forget to add the Antenna Booster at just a little less than an amp. And your VCR/DVD can be up to 2 amps.

Do a google search on "television amperage" without the quotes for related information.

In my opinion, 800-1000 watts would be sufficient to run the two you mentioned. When you start adding the lighting and other items, it may add up to more. Most likely you will be running the tv and the laptop simultaneously.

That's my story and I probably will not stick by it.


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Old 02-15-2009, 10:44 AM   #4
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JMG,
What Waynem said!

Orv
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Old 02-15-2009, 11:46 AM   #5
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Right...as others said. Hard to say without knowing the type and size of TV. Mine is 25 inch tube and my 750watt inverter worked fine.
You need to consider the other end of this equation as your battery will be limited to time duration you can run.
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Old 02-15-2009, 04:45 PM   #6
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Here is another interesting article: Amp Hours
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Old 02-24-2009, 04:11 PM   #7
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I use a 2500 watt inverter to run tv laptop sat reciver and can use the micro but don't I use two banks of 3 12 volt batts and a batt switch so I can use either or both banks we do a ton of dry camping and use our gen to recharge the batts it has served well for long camping trips and we cut our fuel to less than half of what we used without the inverter and use a smaller gen now easier to load and unload hope this helps
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Old 05-04-2017, 09:42 AM   #8
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converter

I use a 350 watt from radio shack. it drives the TV, DVD Player, and the vent fan. NO Problems.
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Old 07-22-2018, 11:09 PM   #9
Dreamersandtravelers
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We set up four 6v batteries (series & parallel) operating 1500w inverter. Then run 20amp ext. cord with adapter (50a to 15a) from inverter to rear plug-in. Turning off converter before turning on inverter! Cannot charge battery off inverter as it uses way too much power. And with two 100w 8.5amp solar panels each one connected to each series of 12v the 6v bank stays well charged on full sun days as I maneuver panels following the sun. One other thing - no using high powered appliances, ie. microwave, hair dryer, electric water heater, toast.
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Old 07-23-2018, 02:19 PM   #10
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Necessary TV

On aThird Saturday in October when a tv is an absolute requirement in our area and we were boondocking/tailgating in Smokemont CG in the Smokies we ran a 35"TV with King Cube Direct tv antenna and receiver on a size 24 car battery and a 400 watt clamp on inverter for 8 hours and still had some power left. Of course BAMA won.
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Old 07-23-2018, 05:20 PM   #11
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I use a 400 watt to run my TV and Dish Satellite. What I did without all the details. I wired the pure sine wave inverter in and ran a wire to a plug-in the bottom half is 120 volts. I disconnected the top half from the bottom by cutting the brass connector between the two in to and ran a wire to the top from the inverter. It has a toggle switch on the wall beside the plugin. Then cut the wire from the TV and put an extension cord on the end of it. Now when I have 120 volt power I plug the TV in the bottom. When I am running running off my battery I flip the toggle switch on and plug the TV in the top of the plugin.
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Old 07-23-2018, 07:07 PM   #12
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400 is probably enough as long as your energy appetite does not increase.
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Old 07-24-2018, 04:12 AM   #13
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Hi

I keep an 850 watt converter on line in the TV all the time they are not that much more in cost and it powers everything I need.

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Old 07-24-2018, 06:48 PM   #14
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I run 42" flatscreen and satellite receiver on 1200 watt inverter, no problems. Have 200 watt solar panels and four 6 volt bats in series-parallel. Can run 8 hours no issues.

Installed inverter in top of battery bay. Wired 110 volt extension cords from inverter to both entertainment center and bedroom. Electronics are on power strip. When I'm on shore power, plug power strip into wall outlet. When on inverter, plug power strips into inverter extension cord. Also put non electronic (tic-tick) 12 hour timer on inverter. Set it when we go to bed and shuts off later, no reason to run inverter overnight. Solar provides full charge during day.
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Old 07-25-2018, 09:59 AM   #15
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I don't want to sound negative Hblick48 but you shouldn't mount your inverter in the same bay as your batteries unless they are agm's. It is recommended by inverter companies that they should be in another area away from the batteries as the gases can be harmful to the inverter leading to premature failure.
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Old 07-25-2018, 12:06 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lenny K View Post
I don't want to sound negative Hblick48 but you shouldn't mount your inverter in the same bay as your batteries unless they are agm's. It is recommended by inverter companies that they should be in another area away from the batteries as the gases can be harmful to the inverter leading to premature failure.
Both battery boxes are covered and vented to the outside. In my rig, landing gear motor and assembly was also mounted in that bay by the factory. Also, slide out hydraulics are in there.
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Old 07-26-2018, 04:09 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hblick48 View Post
Both battery boxes are covered and vented to the outside. In my rig, landing gear motor and assembly was also mounted in that bay by the factory. Also, slide out hydraulics are in there.

Hi

None of those have a fan for ventilation and that battery box cover is far from air tight and the vent to it is only efficient when the trailer is moving.

I would not mount an inverter in that location because they use a fan to force air cool it’s self.

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Old 07-27-2018, 07:38 AM   #18
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@Dreamersandtravelers,
How does one easily "turn off" the converter?
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Old 07-27-2018, 10:54 AM   #19
Lenny K
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Turn off the circuit breaker in your power center that is dedicated for the converter. You have to make sure you turn it back on for normal use.
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Old 07-27-2018, 02:37 PM   #20
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@Dreamersandtravelers,
How does one easily "turn off" the converter?
The one I have has a wire you plug into it and install a cheap toggle switch somewhere convenient to cut the converter on and off. I would think you can be at least 10 feet and probably a lot farther away from the converter than that.
Lynwood
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