Another Power Inverter ????

[fireman932003]

Ok, I know this has been beaten to death but I still don't understand whats going on. I have a TV/VCR combo that I want to run in my truck. It is a 120V 60htz 85watt TV. I had a 300W power inverter and it would not run it. I tried plugging it into different sockets and still nothing. I plugged the TV into a regular socket in my house just to make sure the tv even worked and it worked fine. What am I missing here??? I am STUPID when it comes to electronics.

[qpaw04]

Talk to an electronics geek,

when you plug your inverter into the power (cigerette) lighter type sockets you do not get enough power (amps) to drive the inverter.

generally you loose 1/2 of power you expect.

power your inverter directly off the batteries and you will see a big difference in performance.

If you can't draw direct power, go to a 400 watt plug in inverter, That is what I had to do to drive my tv combo.

[Malaki86]

The problem isn't the actual running of the tv - the problem is the startup power needed to power up the picture tube.

I had a cheap 300 watt inverter that would turn my 13" tv on, but it took about 10 "overload cycles" for it to do so. When I turned the tv on, the inverter would power on/off over and over until the tube had enough power to come on. Once it came on, it was fine.

Best bet for running a tv/vcr would be a hardwired inverter, probably at least 800 watt.

[Drew10]

I have a TV VCR (seperate units) that I run with a 400w continuous 800w peak, simultaniosly, with not problem.
If you can have circuit checked to make sure the aux plug is getting the 12v necessary to run the appliances. If not a shop tech can fix it.

[Uturn2001]

Does the inverter beep when you try to turn your tv on? If it does this means you are overloading the inverter.

When I used to run my tv/vcr off a 300 watt inverter it would beep and not power up or the tv would act like it would try to come on for about 1/2 a second and nothing. What I would have to do is immediately turn it (TV) on again and do this 2 or 3 times and then everything was fine once the the TV warmed up just a little bit. I ended up going to a 400 watt for this reason.

Try that and if it does not work then try using a 400 watt inverter.

[fireman932003]

I have a TV VCR (seperate units) that I run with a 400w continuous 800w peak, simultaniosly, with not problem.
If you can have circuit checked to make sure the aux plug is getting the 12v necessary to run the appliances. If not a shop tech can fix it.

Is that hard wired?? I thought Werner would not allow us to have an inverter at all so that is why I have not hard wired it. If it is ok then I will.

[fireman932003]

Does the inverter beep when you try to turn your tv on? If it does this means you are overloading the inverter.

When I used to run my tv/vcr off a 300 watt inverter it would beep and not power up or the tv would act like it would try to come on for about 1/2 a second and nothing. What I would have to do is immediately turn it (TV) on again and do this 2 or 3 times and then everything was fine once the the TV warmed up just a little bit. I ended up going to a 400 watt for this reason.

Try that and if it does not work then try using a 400 watt inverter.

Yes, it beeps at me when I try and turn it on. The TV will be on but I can not get a picture. I have tried turning it on several time in a row but still I can not get it to work right.

[Drew10]

Is that hard wired?? I thought Werner would not allow us to have an inverter at all so that is why I have not hard wired it. If it is ok then I will.

Not hardwired....(I sent you a couple of PM's)

[fireman932003]

Yea I just read them. I will be calling you if that is ok??

[Drew10]

I will be calling you if that is ok??

Yeah, call tomorrow, Ill be runnin most of the day.
Goin night night pretty soon.

[fireman932003]

10-4. I will call you in the am if that is ok. I leave out around noon tomorrow.

[Cluggy619]

A cleark at a truckstop told me this simple rule when looking for a power inverter.

The amount of volts required X the amps of the thing you want to run = the wattage you need.

Example: 120 volts X 3 amps = 360 watts needed, so you would need a 400 watt pover inverter for that one item.

Hope this helps. :wink: