Community Forums

PJ73USAF · 01-04-2009, 04:24 PM

My TV is a 19" HD/LCD,the power consumption is listed as 51W.I would like to power it with a "cigarette socket" plug in inverter.I've read that plug in inverters over 180W should not be used because the wiring to the outlet is not able to handle anything higher.I have read reviews of people using 300W plug in inverters without any apparent problems.I believe I could use a 175W plug in for my TV and it would be adequate,however I would like the flexibility of the 300W if it doesn't pose a safety hazard.Any advice? Thanks

PJ73USAF · 01-04-2009, 04:24 PM

My TV is a 19" HD/LCD,the power consumption is listed as 51W.I would like to power it with a "cigarette socket" plug in inverter.I've read that plug in inverters over 180W should not be used because the wiring to the outlet is not able to handle anything higher.I have read reviews of people using 300W plug in inverters without any apparent problems.I believe I could use a 175W plug in for my TV and it would be adequate,however I would like the flexibility of the 300W if it doesn't pose a safety hazard.Any advice? Thanks

Glenn and Kathy · 01-04-2009, 04:33 PM

I have used my 300W inverter in 2 different coaches and 2 different cars and never had a problem. Get one and try it, if the wiring is too light and it blows a fuse return it and get the 175. If it is fused correctly no harm should be done.

Glenn

DAN L · 01-05-2009, 12:31 AM

the dc wiring to my original demented dimentions 300 watt inverter was #10 awg. you cannot get a lighter plug with that large a wire, thus you are restricted to less wattage from a lighter plug even if you do not blow the fuse.
the VECTOR 400 watt inverter i am currently using is restricted to 80 watts output when using the lighter power plug.
my new MAGNAVOX ZV450MW8A digital tuner dvd-vcr recorder did not like the power from the demented inverter, but works fine with the VECTOR.
the vector is a modified sine wave inverter. it is rather small, and has an internal cooling fan which is very noisy.
it powers my 2 crt tv's and the magnavox nicely.

Gary RVRoamer · 01-05-2009, 05:27 AM

The 300W inverter won't even blow a fuse if it is not pulling the full 300 watts. The lighter/utility outlet is usually fused for 10 or 15 amps, which is sufficient to let the inverter produce only 120-180 watts. Any actual load over that is going to blow a fuse.

In other words, even the 175 inverter is likely to blow the fuse if fully loaded. So the trick is to keep the load down in the 100-120 watt range. Your tv should work fine with either inverter.

dieselclacker · 01-05-2009, 07:03 AM

I would add to the above statements, to be sure your LCD TV "likes" the AC power from your inverter. The new LCD I installed in our motorhome runs much warmer on the inverter than when powered by shore or generator power. It will eventually shut down until it cools off. The old CRT worked great on the same inverter. Now shopping for a pure sine wave inverter to power the new TV.

Dieselclacker

PJ73USAF · 01-05-2009, 01:27 PM

I tried a Duracell 175W,MSW inverter today.It got power to the TV,but when I tried to turn it on nothing would happen. The power light on the TV would momentarily go out and the red fault light on the inverter would come on.They both would then recycle back to normal.Could the start up surge requirement be higher than what this inverter is able to deliver?Would the larger 300W take care of this?Or could it be that the power must be True Sine Wave to work?
This is a Olevia made 19",I couldn't find any start up surge requirement in the specifications and it isn't a 12V.Thanks

Gary RVRoamer · 01-05-2009, 05:38 PM

I can't think of any reason why an LCD would have a start-up surge. CRTs do, but I would not expect it of an LCD.

I wonder if your battery voltage is going too low when the load (tv) comes on? That would cause the inverter to shut down and most will come back on as soon as the voltage comes up again.

Can you monitor battery voltage when this happens?

Tom N · 01-06-2009, 04:32 AM

I used an add on inverter in my old Vectra to run my high power laptop (required 150w). I used the built in inverter to run the TV and sat receiver.

To solve the lighter plug problem I connected my 400w inverter directly to the coach batteries. The inverter came with both a light plug and clips to attach to a battery. I then ran a 120v extension cable to the laptop. It's much easily to run 120v AC than 12v DC.

-Tom

PJ73USAF · 01-06-2009, 01:44 PM

Thanks to all for your insight.I've decided to go with a hard wire hook up to the house batteries.I don't believe the 12V outlet is able to provide sufficient power to run the TV.Thanks again