Ace 29.2 - using the TV while in motion

[H3OHIO]

Originally Posted by mfolland

I'd be very interested to know how you did it. Might be a separate thread for discussion though

Originally Posted by Hermosa

I'm interested in this also...

Why not just run the generator, you spent all that money for it?

[Hermosa]

Agreed, that is the easy thing to do.

[mfolland]

Originally Posted by H3OHIO

Why not just run the generator, you spent all that money for it?

The generator is an extra engine to maintain. It consumes gas, requires oil changes, creates noise, and does create some (although minimal) pollution. The generator will also not operate if there's less than 1/4 gas in the tank.

The solar/battery/inverter method requires virtually no maintenance, no noise, no pollution, and will run regardless of how much gas is in the tank.

[aviator37]

I designed a seperate system as I did not want to mess with the existing power systems in the coach. Basically just wanted to watch the today show in the mornings with my coffee in the rest areas on the freeway.

I am writing a detailed article on the design and install of this system and will try to publish it in an Rv mag in the near future. I was able to do this on a budget with good results.

I'll put a link here when it's ready. Thanks for the interest

[H3OHIO]

Originally Posted by mfolland

The generator is an extra engine to maintain. It consumes gas, requires oil changes, creates noise, and does create some (although minimal) pollution. The generator will also not operate if there's less than 1/4 gas in the tank.

The solar/battery/inverter method requires virtually no maintenance, no noise, no pollution, and will run regardless of how much gas is in the tank.

Maintain? For me about 30 minutes a year, oil and air filter change.
Pollution? LOL... If you're really worried about that why are you driving a vehicle that gets 7MPG??
1/4 tank of gas, that is why I always stop and fill when I reach 1/4, in case we have an unforeseen breakdown we can sit comfortably and wait for service with gen running.

OK, the noise is true though.

[Mrjim]

Originally Posted by mfolland

The generator is an extra engine to maintain. It consumes gas, requires oil changes, creates noise, and does create some (although minimal) pollution. The generator will also not operate if there's less than 1/4 gas in the tank.

The solar/battery/inverter method requires virtually no maintenance, no noise, no pollution, and will run regardless of how much gas is in the tank.

So you are not going to use or maintain your generator? Please don't say that your dingy is a Smart car......
I laugh when people say using solar does not create pollution, the pollutants made during the manufacturing process are highly toxic(but cheap to make in China). Don't get me wrong, there are applications where solar is a nice feature. Remote sites far from power grid and RV's come to mind, but in no way are you being "environmentally friendly".
That said, I'd like a 320W system.

[mfolland]

Don't get me wrong guys. I still use the generator. Most of our camping is boon-docking in the Southern California deserts or at beach campgrounds with no hookups. I'd prefer to not have to run the noisy generator just to watch TV (particularly at Beach campgrounds that limit generator use). That's why the solar/inverter system peaks my interest. Why turn it on if you don't have to?

Let's face it, the generator (at least in out poorly insulated ACEs) is pretty noisy and you have to turn up the TV pretty loud to compensate.

On that note, I do plan on installing some hush mat around the gene someday and shielding to avoid overheating.