For any of the electrical wizards out there, I have what is probably a simple question. I am shopping for a small TV/VCR for my Hunter 340 to keep the kids entertained at times and I was wondering if there is a difference in total power drain from the batteries if I run it off AC with the inverter or directly to the DC panel. This would affect whether I buy the more expensive AC/DC TV unit or the cheaper AC only unit(About $100 difference). Does a DC TV draw less power? Does converting DC to AC via the inverter cost anything power wise or is it a wash? Thanks! Daryl
- Status
about 10% more power consumption!
Daryl: I think that I have read that the inverter will consume about 10% more power than running a DC unit. I think that you will also find that the VCR is going to consume considerably more power than just the TV. When you are shopping for these TV Combo's just check out the specs on the units. I think that there is a difference in the brands when it comes to consumption. A fellow in our marina purchased a Sony. He said it had the lowest consumption. You may also want to look for a TV and a seperate DVD player (this is where the industry is going).
Daryl: I think that I have read that the inverter will consume about 10% more power than running a DC unit. I think that you will also find that the VCR is going to consume considerably more power than just the TV. When you are shopping for these TV Combo's just check out the specs on the units. I think that there is a difference in the brands when it comes to consumption. A fellow in our marina purchased a Sony. He said it had the lowest consumption. You may also want to look for a TV and a seperate DVD player (this is where the industry is going).
I think the AC/DC unit has an internal inverter
If you already have an inverter, I see no technical reason not to use it. However, I don't know the exact power consumption of inverters vs AC/DC TVs. I choase a AC/DC TV because I do not have an inverter and I didn't want to run my generator just for a TV. I second the idea of a TV and DVD player. WE never record shows, just play rental tapes. The downside (maybe) is that you have 2 units to mount, wire, etc. But maybe someone is now making a combo unit? Rich
If you already have an inverter, I see no technical reason not to use it. However, I don't know the exact power consumption of inverters vs AC/DC TVs. I choase a AC/DC TV because I do not have an inverter and I didn't want to run my generator just for a TV. I second the idea of a TV and DVD player. WE never record shows, just play rental tapes. The downside (maybe) is that you have 2 units to mount, wire, etc. But maybe someone is now making a combo unit? Rich
AC/DC TV's
The AC/DC tv's use about 10% less power in the DC mode than in the AC mode. And then when you add an invertor in to the equation, you have a power loss there. I think that the invertors are about 70% efficient. I have an invertor on my boat and a AC/DC tv with built in tape deck. I put a DC plug along with a antenna jack at the TV location and run on DC. The DC plug is just below the Heart Invertor Control Panel on the left side and the TV coax jack is next to it. The TV sets on the chart table when in use.
The AC/DC tv's use about 10% less power in the DC mode than in the AC mode. And then when you add an invertor in to the equation, you have a power loss there. I think that the invertors are about 70% efficient. I have an invertor on my boat and a AC/DC tv with built in tape deck. I put a DC plug along with a antenna jack at the TV location and run on DC. The DC plug is just below the Heart Invertor Control Panel on the left side and the TV coax jack is next to it. The TV sets on the chart table when in use.
Attachments
Depends on the inverter
The TV has to step up the voltage whether it's 12 volts or 120 volts in order to operate the high voltage sections. The difference is the power supply the TV is designed to operate on so they are pretty much equal in that they will draw a certain amount of watts regardless of the voltage. The power loss comes in on how efficient the power inverter on the vessel is if you operate a 120 volt unit with an inverted power supply. A good inverter can be 92% to 96% effecient but bad ones can be less than 90%. One thing to take into consideration though is that the run of the mill 120 volt units will work fine on a good inverter even though you have large voltage fluctuations where a 12 volt DC unit will have difficulty operating during large power surges. If you have a good inverter on board already use it and save the money on the TV. If not, buy the 12 volt model as it's cheaper than buying a good inverter. Tom Hadoulias S/V Lite Chop
The TV has to step up the voltage whether it's 12 volts or 120 volts in order to operate the high voltage sections. The difference is the power supply the TV is designed to operate on so they are pretty much equal in that they will draw a certain amount of watts regardless of the voltage. The power loss comes in on how efficient the power inverter on the vessel is if you operate a 120 volt unit with an inverted power supply. A good inverter can be 92% to 96% effecient but bad ones can be less than 90%. One thing to take into consideration though is that the run of the mill 120 volt units will work fine on a good inverter even though you have large voltage fluctuations where a 12 volt DC unit will have difficulty operating during large power surges. If you have a good inverter on board already use it and save the money on the TV. If not, buy the 12 volt model as it's cheaper than buying a good inverter. Tom Hadoulias S/V Lite Chop
- Status