Watching TV off the grid - R-pod Owners Forum

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funks

Groupie

Joined: 05 Nov 2014
Location: CALIF
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Topic: Watching TV off the grid
Posted: 07 Mar 2015 at 12:16pm

You got a private massage

techntrek

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Location: MD
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Posted: 04 Mar 2015 at 10:35am

MSW has a lower tare loss than PSW, but you'll still use a lot more amps running a 1000 watt vs. something smaller if you are only running the tv.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

lamarkeiko View Drop Down

Newbie

Joined: 18 Feb 2015
Location: Grants Pass, Or
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Posts: 27

Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 10:03pm

Thanks funks. After reading your post reply, I got to thinking about a brand new one I've had stored in my shop. My inverter is a Vector 1000/2000 modified sinewave. I was originally thinking something smaller, but after reading about your setup, maybe this unit would be the way to go. It's fairly large (12" x 6"), but I'm sure yours is as big or bigger. Could you tell me where you mounted yours, and how you ran your wireing? My manual says with 1 ga cables in, run no more than 10' to battery. If you have a picture, I'd love to see it.

Lamar

fwunder

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Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
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Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 8:29pm

To each his own, but I carry one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-400-Watt-12-Volt-120-Volt-Inverter/dp/B001RNOHBC

It does everything I need. We don't watch a lot of TV, but it works fine running TV and laptop and other small things. We do often watch movies from laptop to TV. Doesn't take much to run TV or laptop or both.

We also carry 230 Amps worth of dual 6 volt EGC2 batteries and a generator so I don't worry too much about consumption.

fred

2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 6:25pm

Keep in mind with generators and inverters, you need to match it to your load. If you are running the pod's tv and/or charging a few cell phones then a 100 watt model is best. Two laptops, 200 watts.

The problem with generators is even when running small loads large generators use a lot of fuel (less so with an inverter-generator but that is still true), and with inverters they use a lot of extra amps running themselves the larger the inverter.

Not to confuse inverters, generators and inverter-generators!

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

funks

Groupie

Joined: 05 Nov 2014
Location: CALIF
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 98

Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 5:03pm

We have a 179 and I installed a modified sine 2000/4000 inverter a year ago. I hard wired it to my double 12v batteries, running two separate plugs one below the bed and the other in the kitchen by the r.pod plugs. With the 2000/4000 we can watch TV and also make coffee and use a blender.

We camp at this point only off grid. I have a 2000i honda generator I will use a hour a day to keep my batteries charged up or use the microwave. We have been out about twelve times this your on the average of 5days on each trip without any problems with this system. I hope this helps you.

Happy Camping Smile

lamarkeiko View Drop Down

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Joined: 18 Feb 2015
Location: Grants Pass, Or
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Posts: 27

Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 1:54pm

Podrunner,

Was your inverter a pure sinewave type? I know they are much more expensive, so I'd rather not have to buy that type if I don't have too.

Lamar

podrunner

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Joined: 30 May 2013
Location: Draper, UT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 106

Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 12:50pm

I chose option number 3. seems to work fine, I have a 2010 r pod so I have the small 9" approx. Audiovox tv / dvd combo. Not sure how this would work on a larger TV. I believe my inverter is only 250 Watts.

2010 R Pod 151
2017 4runner
2006 Honda Metropolitan

lamarkeiko View Drop Down

Newbie

Joined: 18 Feb 2015
Location: Grants Pass, Or
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 27

Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 12:13pm

More pictures

Lamar

lamarkeiko View Drop Down

Newbie

Joined: 18 Feb 2015
Location: Grants Pass, Or
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 27

Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 12:09pm

My new 2015 RP-179 came with a 19" led tv and intertainment center. The intertainment center (DVD/CD/ AMFM) operates on 12 vdc while the tv is 120 vac.

I would like to set up if possible, an inverter to power the tv.

My questions are:

1. What size inverter will I need?

2. Does it have to be a pure sinewave inverter?

3. Could it be as simple as just installing a 12 vdc jack near the tv in which I could plug in a portable inverter?

I'm attaching some pictures of my system as installed now.

Lamar

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funks Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 05 Nov 2014 Location: CALIF Online Status: Offline Posts: 98	Topic: Watching TV off the grid Posted: 07 Mar 2015 at 12:16pm
	You got a private massage

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 04 Mar 2015 at 10:35am
	MSW has a lower tare loss than PSW, but you'll still use a lot more amps running a 1000 watt vs. something smaller if you are only running the tv.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

lamarkeiko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Feb 2015 Location: Grants Pass, Or Online Status: Offline Posts: 27	Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 10:03pm
	Thanks funks. After reading your post reply, I got to thinking about a brand new one I've had stored in my shop. My inverter is a Vector 1000/2000 modified sinewave. I was originally thinking something smaller, but after reading about your setup, maybe this unit would be the way to go. It's fairly large (12" x 6"), but I'm sure yours is as big or bigger. Could you tell me where you mounted yours, and how you ran your wireing? My manual says with 1 ga cables in, run no more than 10' to battery. If you have a picture, I'd love to see it.
	Lamar

fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 8:29pm
	To each his own, but I carry one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-400-Watt-12-Volt-120-Volt-Inverter/dp/B001RNOHBC It does everything I need. We don't watch a lot of TV, but it works fine running TV and laptop and other small things. We do often watch movies from laptop to TV. Doesn't take much to run TV or laptop or both. We also carry 230 Amps worth of dual 6 volt EGC2 batteries and a generator so I don't worry too much about consumption. fred
	2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 6:25pm
	Keep in mind with generators and inverters, you need to match it to your load. If you are running the pod's tv and/or charging a few cell phones then a 100 watt model is best. Two laptops, 200 watts. The problem with generators is even when running small loads large generators use a lot of fuel (less so with an inverter-generator but that is still true), and with inverters they use a lot of extra amps running themselves the larger the inverter. Not to confuse inverters, generators and inverter-generators!
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

funks Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 05 Nov 2014 Location: CALIF Online Status: Offline Posts: 98	Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 5:03pm
	We have a 179 and I installed a modified sine 2000/4000 inverter a year ago. I hard wired it to my double 12v batteries, running two separate plugs one below the bed and the other in the kitchen by the r.pod plugs. With the 2000/4000 we can watch TV and also make coffee and use a blender. We camp at this point only off grid. I have a 2000i honda generator I will use a hour a day to keep my batteries charged up or use the microwave. We have been out about twelve times this your on the average of 5days on each trip without any problems with this system. I hope this helps you. Happy Camping

lamarkeiko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Feb 2015 Location: Grants Pass, Or Online Status: Offline Posts: 27	Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 1:54pm
	Podrunner, Was your inverter a pure sinewave type? I know they are much more expensive, so I'd rather not have to buy that type if I don't have too.
	Lamar

podrunner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 May 2013 Location: Draper, UT Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 12:50pm
	I chose option number 3. seems to work fine, I have a 2010 r pod so I have the small 9" approx. Audiovox tv / dvd combo. Not sure how this would work on a larger TV. I believe my inverter is only 250 Watts.
	2010 R Pod 151 2017 4runner 2006 Honda Metropolitan

lamarkeiko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Feb 2015 Location: Grants Pass, Or Online Status: Offline Posts: 27	Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 12:13pm
	More pictures
	Lamar

lamarkeiko Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Feb 2015 Location: Grants Pass, Or Online Status: Offline Posts: 27	Posted: 03 Mar 2015 at 12:09pm
	My new 2015 RP-179 came with a 19" led tv and intertainment center. The intertainment center (DVD/CD/ AMFM) operates on 12 vdc while the tv is 120 vac. I would like to set up if possible, an inverter to power the tv. My questions are: 1. What size inverter will I need? 2. Does it have to be a pure sinewave inverter? 3. Could it be as simple as just installing a 12 vdc jack near the tv in which I could plug in a portable inverter? I'm attaching some pictures of my system as installed now.
	Lamar