Inverters. Confusion.

[Dave307]

Hi all.

Sorry if this is on wiki and I've missed it.

On my boy I have a full mains hook up which runs 4 plug sockets. I also have leisure battery that runs the lights inside. The leisure battery is charged when it's on a mains hook up. So thats all good and it all works wonderfully.

When all this was fitted the guy who did it put the wiring in place so that I can add an inverter if I want to.
The problem is I don't really understand what does what.

The reason I ask is that a friend has given me a little tv to put in the van. Now the tv is not a special one or anything it is a standard plug into the mains link to DVD and watch.

So my question is in order to use the tv when not hooked up to the mains or driving with the sprogs in the back wanting to watch it do I run it off an inverter.
I know that it won't work at present as the mains plugs only work when connected to mains hook up.
So if I fit an inverter can I then run the tv off it.

Also if the inverter runs of the leisure battery can I still use it while I'm driving.

Think this makes sense if not let me know and I'll try to be a little clearer.

[California Dreamin]

Invertors do have a place but generally used if there isn't 'another way'. This is because they aren't a very efficient way of supplying power and if you don't have an understanding of their limitations in terms of current draw from a stand alone battery you may find yourself quickly without power.

As far as using them whilst driving goes; this shouldn't be an issue depending on how 'voltage sensitive' the equipment you plug in is....and the quality of the invertor itself (how well it regulates output).

Martin

[ghost123uk]

So my question is in order to use the tv when not hooked up to the mains or driving with the sprogs in the back wanting to watch it do I run it off an inverter.

I know that it won't work at present as the mains plugs only work when connected to mains hook up.

So if I fit an inverter can I then run the tv off it.

Just to add, you will need to plug the mains plug off the TV / DVD directly into the inverter. The Hook up sockets cannot safely be integrated with the mains supply from the inverter. Only connect (or switch on if hard wired) your inverter when you need to use it.

Try to avoid running your leisure battery flat as despite what it usually says in the blurb, it is not good for them. I use a low voltage cut off relay (set mine at 11.5 volts) to prevent this happening. They are only £20 and that will pay for itself in no time by "caring" for my battery (see = http://www.reuk.co.uk/buy-REUK-PROGRAMM ... CT-LVD.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; )

As Martin says, a 12 volt powered TV / DVD is a much better option in terms of usage time versa battery power usage.

[New Kentish Campers]

Inverters: Am I right in thinking that may of the cheaper ones are 'dirty' i.e they aren't 'smoothed' so wont work delicate electronics {TV's etc] too well?

[ghost123uk]

Inverters: Am I right in thinking that may of the cheaper ones are 'dirty' i.e they aren't 'smoothed' so wont work delicate electronics {TV's etc] too well?

In essence Yes, but read on = in practice No, because all the mains powered equipment has it's own internal smoothing circuits. Remember, the TV etc circuits do not actually work of the mains, inside is a step down setup that reduces the 240V a.c. to (often) 12 v d.c. which is why it is an inefficient way of running them = 12 v d.c. to 240 v a.c. then 240 v a.c. back down to 12 v d.c. in the equipment

The problem you sometimes get, mostly on audio equipment, is a background hum. This is because the output from most inverters is "square wave" not "sine wave" ( = a bit technical, if you want to know, read about 1/3 the way down this page = http://www.sinetech.co.za/invselect.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ) 99% of the inverters "we" use are "modified square wave" and rarely cause any problems. Sine wave ones are MUCH dearer.

More reading = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_wave" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sine_wave" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Please submit your homework on this before 10 a.m. tomorrow

[pfield69]

It will much cheaper to search for a cheap flip down TV.

My mate just bought one for £88, its flip down 7" digital with built-in game, DVD player and wireless headsets.

When I get the link to them I will post it.

For reference, I have a 500w &1000w inverters in my camper. The 500w is a cheapy and runs my table top fridge. The 1000w is a pure sine wave that runs pretty much anything that the wattage allows. Both a linked to my 2 mains circuits with actuators that isolate them when mains hook up is used.

[Dave307]

Get

It will much cheaper to search for a cheap flip down TV.

My mate just bought one for £88, its flip down 7" digital with built-in game, DVD player and wireless headsets.

When I get the link to them I will post it.

For reference, I have a 500w &1000w inverters in my camper. The 500w is a cheapy and runs my table top fridge. The 1000w is a pure sine wave that runs pretty much anything that the wattage allows. Both a linked to my 2 mains circuits with actuators that isolate them when mains hook up is used.

That would be great thanks.

Take it from this that people don't think adding an inverter is worth while.

[pfield69]

9" roof hung flip down DVD, Game, monitor with wirless headsets.

This is blinding in a camper although it has no TV. I connected my phone to it and streamed bbci player to it fine. Power consumption was also very low (although my mates 300w music amp with base negates this).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120844558786" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Inverters do have a place but probably not best for your AV needs.

[AdrianC]

Take it from this that people don't think adding an inverter is worth while.

Put simply, if you've got stuff that NEEDS to be run from mains electricity when you're off the mains, then they're essential. But if there's a way to get the same result (charged or charged laptop, nuked food, quiet sprogs) from 12v, it'll make your battery last longer.