Plug In Inverter Question?

[PJ73USAF]

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My TV is a 19" HD/LCD,the power consumption is listed as 51W.I would like to power it with a "cigarette socket" plug in inverter.I've read that plug in inverters over 180W should not be used because the wiring to the outlet is not able to handle anything higher.I have read reviews of people using 300W plug in inverters without any apparent problems.I believe I could use a 175W plug in for my TV and it would be adequate,however I would like the flexibility of the 300W if it doesn't pose a safety hazard.Any advice? Thanks
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[Bama Rambler]

Most of the 12v outlets in RV's are good for about 100 watts. If your tv uses 51 watts it really won't matter whether you use a 175 or 300 watt inverter. They're only going to draw the actual wattage required (plus overhead losses) so either one will draw the same amount of power from the outlet.

Be aware though that most cheap inverters are MSW (Modified Sine Wave) and most electronics don't like it. I would buy a good TSW (True Sine Wave) inverter if I were going to power electronics such as tv's, dvd players, computers, etc.

You might also look at the power inlet of your tv. Many of them use a transformer on the power cord and the power into the tv is 12vdc. If t is you could buy a cord and plug it in directly to the 12v plug in the RV.

[PJ73USAF]

I tried a Duracell 175W,MSW inverter today.It got power to the TV,but when I tried to turn it on nothing would happen. The power light on the TV would momentarily go out and the red fault light on the inverter would come on.They both would then recycle back to normal.Could the start up surge requirement be higher than what this inverter is able to deliver?Would the larger 300W take care of this?Or could it be that the power must be True Sine Wave to work?
This is a Olevia made 19",I couldn't find any start up surge requirement in the specifications and it isn't a 12V.Thanks

[KyDan]

I've had similar results when my battery was low.
I have a hand held cigarette socked inverter as well as a larger
corded inverter. In my case, the hand held is less prone to faulting out.
IE- if my battery is low the corded inverter will always fault out due
to low voltage I assume.
The cheapie hand held one will work until my house battery is pretty near dead.
Go figure!
I can only guess there is some small surge when the backlight for the LCD screen
is coming on or various capacitors internal to the TV are charging on power up.
I found my 12v socket was poorly wired. 16 or 18 ga wires on the back and
loose wire nuts.
Forest River electrical is not well done IMO. They often have sloppy wiring.

I suggest a test.
Plug the TV into a good heavy duty extension cord. Plug the extension cord into your
inverter and try connecting the inverter directly to the battery.
If the TV comes on and works OK you can run dedicated, heavy duty wires from your
power center to a nearby 12v outlet installed by you. Be sure and use an inline
fuse or possibly an un-used fused terminal in your power center. I have a couple
spare slots in mine.

We were camping once and my batteries were low and it was bed time
and my wife HAD to see HER TV show. TV would fault the inverter and
refused to come on. I plugged my trailer into my truck, started the
truck, revved the engine while my wife hit the power button on the TV.
It came on. I shut off the truck and she was happy for the duration.
I bought a small genny after that so I can keep my batteries up and
my wife is a happy camper.

Good Luck!
Let us know how it works.

[PJ73USAF]

Thanks to all for your insight.I've decided to go with a hard wire hook up to the house batteries.I don't believe the 12V outlet is able to provide sufficient power to run the TV.Thanks again

[KyDan]

Hard wired inverter is best but I still suggest you test your unit with your TV before
you go to a lot of trouble.
I know some here say the cheap inverters are not true sine wave and they don't like
that.
I just know that I've used a cheapie on 2 different LCD TVs and powered a DVD player that I paid no more than 30 bucks for at the same time.
Most modern electronic devices have internal regulated power supplies.
My current LCD TV will operate anywhere between 100 and 130 volts so it works
even on a $25 inverter and a house battery that's down to 25% charge.
My 2¢
YMMV
Good luck!
KyDan

[PJ73USAF]

Thanks KyDan,
I've ordered a 300W TSW inverter.It has a 12V outlet plug and the battery clamps included.I plan on taking your advice and try connecting directly to the battery before I do a hard wire.Thanks again, to you and Bama Rambler.