cracker39 wrote:George,
I've considered a small plun-in inverter just to power the TV/VCR unit we will probably use. It is rated at 65wats according to the info stamped on the rear of the case. From what I have read, I'm not sure that a 100 watt inverter will suffice. I saw this 200 watt inverter and it looks like it would work...and it's Coleman.
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/cpmpmp200xl.htmlDo you think the 65 watt tv would work efficiently on a 100 watt? Or would need the 200 watt unit?
Thanks
Hi Dale
Ok, TV's are rated with everything on MAX ie Volume Brightness colour everything wacked up to full tilt, of all the TV's I have ever tested, Not one as ever come close to its rating at normal volumes etc your 65 will probably be about 40w in normal use if my findings so far are anything to go on and thats with VCR rolling too.
The only problem that may occur is that some Combo TV/VCR and TV/DVD units do not like running on Modified/quasi sine wave invertors. Can you try your TV on a friends invertor? If it doesnt work it's due to the Thyristor control on the joint power supply, to be honest I have only heard of one combo not working all the ones I have tested and seen in operation have been fine. ie less than 1 in 20 will not work (so odds are in your favour) at worst you would have to get a pure sine wave invertor.
The Coleman will be wasting power a 100w would be the best for your purpose, it will be more efficient and quieter (no fan on 100w invertors)
Hi Tom
Only passing on the info, its of course down to you what you do, only passing the info so you can make an informed choice while in possesion of all the facts.
10 gauge is off course spot on for 25 Amps (300 watts) Not sure on US codes, but in UK it would be against regs to use cable thats rated for less than half the max possible capacity.
Looking at the regs that powderburn posted it looks like American regs would reccomend 6 Guage or better, if you follow the codes through (700 W inverter would need 65 Amp wire(700/12*1.1 to allow for eff) Maybe Powderburn can confirm or refute that based on the USA regs.
Cracker
I avoid locating fuses close to the battery due to their explosive nature, I have never understood people putting a fuse near them.
In the UK and many other countries, when electricians talk about low voltage they are talking 240v (between 49v and 500v) and ultra low voltage is 48v and below.
Having a breaker asap within the vehicle makes sense, you want the shortest possible length unprotected, shore power should be protected too, but due to Zoning of the protection it will be higher value and longer before cut off (again I am assuming similar to UK)
George