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07-24-2012, 07:18 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 180
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TV on Generator or Battery???
My husband and I are having a discussion...and I figured I'd ask the folks who have most likely experienced something similar...
We want to get a small TV for the A127TH...but the question is...when we are not hooked to shore power, is it more efficient to run the TV using the generator power or using the 12V battery? The TV we are looking at can run off either 12VDC or 110VAC, but we are wondering which is more efficient????
Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations?
Thank you!!!!!
Debbie
__________________
...and...we're camping!!
Glenn & Debbie
2013 Rockwood A127TH (aka Carl)
2012 Ford Raptor
Camping born-on date: 21 July 2012
Nights camped: 2014-3 (so far!!); 2013-16; 2012-2 nights
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07-24-2012, 07:23 AM
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#2
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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You need to know how many 12v amps tv draws to get a better idea.
Keep in mind after watching tv on battery you still have to charge battery via gennie.
Unless you have some other method.
Ron
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07-24-2012, 07:56 AM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Also depends on what type of generator. If you have an inverter generator that produces "clean" electricity, then a generator is OK. If you have a construction generator with "dirty" power, then you might just run your TV on battery only.
Like Turbo stated, you would need some way to eventually charge the battery.
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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07-24-2012, 09:35 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,839
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most campgrounds have no generators after 8pm, so most of us recommend using an inverter.
but you'll need two batteries, that you recharge with the generator the next day.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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07-24-2012, 11:42 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 180
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Thank you all for your inputs!!!!! I do appreciate it!!!
Sounds like the most efficient power source for the tv is the generator...but only until 8pm, then it'll be switched to the battery. Until we get a solar pad hooked up we'll charge via generator while camped, otherwise it'll be from the truck. We have a Honda EU2000 - clean electricity.
__________________
...and...we're camping!!
Glenn & Debbie
2013 Rockwood A127TH (aka Carl)
2012 Ford Raptor
Camping born-on date: 21 July 2012
Nights camped: 2014-3 (so far!!); 2013-16; 2012-2 nights
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07-24-2012, 12:05 PM
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#6
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Good luck!
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07-24-2012, 12:09 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,525
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We use a cigarette socket inverter to power our TV.
We can watch a DVD movie each nite for 3 nites.
After that we're pretty low on battery power.
I have only 2 regular 12v marine/crank/deep cycle batteries.
Nothing exotic.
We typically run the Honda for a couple hours after day 3.
This would be mid afternoon during "margarita hour".
If I'm only staying 3 days then we don't even start it.
YMMV.
__________________
Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
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07-25-2012, 06:26 AM
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#8
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FarFromStock
My husband and I are having a discussion...and I figured I'd ask the folks who have most likely experienced something similar...
We want to get a small TV for the A127TH...but the question is...when we are not hooked to shore power, is it more efficient to run the TV using the generator power or using the 12V battery? The TV we are looking at can run off either 12VDC or 110VAC, but we are wondering which is more efficient????
Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations?
Thank you!!!!!
Debbie
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Debbie,
From my reading and experience, given the choice, the 12 volt power directly from the battery is slightly more efficient than 120 AC using the battery to power an inverter to make AC. There is no wasted power in the conversion process.
Running the generator is a noisy way to watch TV, IMO. Better to watch TV quietly on either the battery or the inverter (powered by the battery) and then charge it using the generator and a dedicated battery charger (not the converter in the camper).
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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07-25-2012, 06:51 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 180
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Thanks everyone!!! All great feedback!!! :-)
__________________
...and...we're camping!!
Glenn & Debbie
2013 Rockwood A127TH (aka Carl)
2012 Ford Raptor
Camping born-on date: 21 July 2012
Nights camped: 2014-3 (so far!!); 2013-16; 2012-2 nights
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07-25-2012, 07:05 AM
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#10
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by FarFromStock
Thanks everyone!!! All great feedback!!! :-)
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Good luck!
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07-25-2012, 07:13 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,525
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Quote:
Originally Posted by herk7769
Better to watch TV quietly on either the battery or the inverter (powered by the battery) and then charge it using the generator and a dedicated battery charger (not the converter in the camper).
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I agree 100%
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