How do you power your TVs?

[HerbDB]

I am going to add a small TV (20"-26")to the boat next spring. I am looking at options. It would be nice to use the TV without starting the Genset when off the dock. Looking at ads for inverters, it appears that the manufacturers will only guarantee that a pure sine wave inverter will run a TV or computer without problems. I am reluctant to spend that much for this one use. I have DC charging options for everything else.

I added a desiel Genset a couple of years ago primarily for charging, but also to allow use of the heat pump when necessary. We like to anchor out and it extends our season. Good for cooling down the cabin on hot nights too. We don't run it all night and would like the option of using the TV when it is not going.

How are list members handling this problem? Anyone have alternative solutions that have been effective? Small inverters, DC powered TVs?

I welcome all ideas.

Herb DuBois
Beneteau 36CC
Split Decision

[camaraderie]

Herb...we've been using a quality modified sine wave inverter for several years with our LCD (Heart-Freedom) with non problem at all. The really cheap auto store inverters while having the wattage you need are essentially square wave inverters and can cause problems. The decent modified sine wave inverters are more expensive but a lot less expensive than the pure sine wave ones and draw less power at "idle" as well.
Something like this should work fine:
http://shop.sailnet.com/product_info...roducts_id/912

[SeaStrutter]

Hey Herb - I run a 15" LCD and DVD player off a cheap 300watt inverter. It is $25 at auto store and it has been fine for a couple of years now. It is made by xantrex - the same company that makes models that cost 10 X as much. Gotta wonder how much markup is due to a description that includes "Marine Grade"... At $25, you could replace it every few years and still spend much less than you would for one of the high end models - Just don't let it get wet!

[paulk]

Hanging our television off the transom by the cord and letting it spin in the wake provides all the power our TV needs, even in light/no air situations. More people should try this simple way of helping American achieve energy independence.

[btrayfors]

Paulk,

Great! That's probably what we all ought to try :-))

Herb DB:

Many HDTV sets these days actually run off of low-voltage DC, often 12-20 volts or so. I shopped for one which would run just fine from 12VDC, and found a small Magnavox model which has been just great.

You can expect that a 20" model will draw about 60-70 watts (5-6 amps @ 12V), while a 26" model may draw twice that.

If the model you want needs, say 18VDC, you can get a small power supply designed for computers which will provide the needed voltage. Lind Electronics makes such devices, they're of high quality, and can provide the needed voltage even if your batteries are low...as they're bound to be if you watch much TV :-)

Look for TV's which have a "car adapter" port, or separate DC input, or come with some sort of power brick.

Bill

[btrayfors]

SeaStrutter,

''It is made by xantrex - the same company that makes models that cost 10 X as much. Gotta wonder how much markup is due to a description that includes "Marine Grade"..."

I think it's the same markup West Marine uses. Last week I was looking for 100' of 5/16" polyester braid to haul up some antennas in my yard. Stopped by West....they would be happy to sell me 100' @ .71 per foot! Hmmm, let's see, that would be $71.00 plus 5% tax. Seemed just a bit steep to me, and I just LOVE to drop $$$$ at West M.

So I went to Cherrydale Hardware, one of the few remaining good family hardware stores in America. They sold me 100' of 5/16" polyester braid -- in camouflage color which is great for hiding in the trees -- for $5.99.

I bought two, so I won't be tempted to drop back by West M. anytime soon :-)

Bill

PS...it wasn't Sta-Set, but I doubt my wire antennas will notice :-)

[georgellop]

.... I saw at COSTCO (miami) a set that had 12DCV and 110 ACV hook ups, flat screen and built in DVD ... I believe US$ 599 aprox. ... don't remember the brand.....

[brendita]

You guys are great, all this little intricacies are dealt with elegantly and in such finesses.
Are we lucky or what?
This is still a great country in spite of our politians, Should have a few of them keel hauled just for a taste of the trutha!
Television on board. Hum! what happen to reading books and unabashed sex!
Leave the TV at home you will develop some nice new traits!
Candle light! anyone?

[scottyt]

i have a 17 inch computer monitor mounted to the bulkhead that runs off 12 vdc, it draws 3 amps. i then use a usb tv tuner plugged into the laptop, feeding the monitor. it allows internet surfing and tv watching at the same time, just with dual screen options in windows. sound is provided by a set of computer speakers that run on 12 vdc as well. this setup also allows the wife to plug her ipod into the computer speakers for music with a low power draw vrs a car or boat stereo

total cost was 60 bucks for the tuner as i already had everything else, and i can put the charts up on the bigger screen when needed vrs the 10 inch screen on the laptop

[HerbDB]

Originally Posted by brendita

You guys are great, all this little intricacies are dealt with elegantly and in such finesses.
Are we lucky or what?
This is still a great country in spite of our politians, Should have a few of them keel hauled just for a taste of the trutha!
Television on board. Hum! what happen to reading books and unabashed sex!
Leave the TV at home you will develop some nice new traits!
Candle light! anyone?

Your articulate post is a response to a thread I started in 2006. No one had posted to in in almost three years.

What does "in such finesses" , "politians" and "trutha" mean? I thought spelling, grammar and reading were common skills. Shouldn't sentences start with capital letters?

Try using some of that candlelight reading a basic grammar and spelling text. You will do a better job of criticizing other peoples ancient posts.