For this years football season I was thinking that it would be cool to have a TV/LCD at the tailgate. The obvious problem here is how to power a tv/lcd for 3-4hrs. From my initial research it looks like I have two options.

1) Buy an inverter that would pull power from my truck battery.

2) Buy a small generator to power everthing.

Here are the two combinations of equipment I could use.

1st Option
22" LCD @ ~200Watts
Laptop @ ~50Watts

2nd Option
Digital converter box @ ~25Watts
27" Tube TV @ ~ 300Watts

So I will need 250 to 325 watts continuous power, so I will need at least 400W power inverter. If I go with a generator, I should be fine power wise (The smallest generators are ~1000Watts).

If I go with power inverter I was also think of buying a cheap Deep Cycle battery to run it on.

Has anyone ever done this? I am worried a generator would be two noisy, especially if I get a cheaper model >$200. If I go with the inverter though, I am fear it may not have enough juice to last for 3 to 4 hrs.

I figured if anyone would know about this stuff you guys would be my best bet. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

8/24/2009 11:40:43 PM

This thread is relevant to my interests.

8/24/2009 11:50:48 PM

8/24/2009 11:52:05 PM

8/24/2009 11:55:09 PM

Are you in a truck?
You can buy 3-4 deep cycle batteries, and use a trickle charger at home between games to revive them.
Then use them w/ and invertor for game day.

8/24/2009 11:55:10 PM

a briefcase generator would do great, though I don't like running that in the middle of a lot of people. getting a secondary deep cycle battery is my first choice, just be sure to crank up your vehicle to keep it charged. as far as power inverters, make sure it will actually run everything you want - I've got a 750 watt inverter and it can't even run a small shop vac, even though the wattage indicates otherwise

[Edited on August 24, 2009 at 11:56 PM. Reason : or get multiple and do ^]

8/24/2009 11:55:56 PM

^^^ isn't that the wheel that Conan turned?

^^ Do you think I need 3-4 deep cycle batteries? I was hoping to keep the solution under $200. One cheap Deep cycle is about $90.

^ yeah I'm worried the generator will be too loud and distracting, not only to us but to other tailgaters.

8/25/2009 12:01:40 AM

yes, yes it is

8/25/2009 12:03:51 AM

You would need at least three, guestimating though, because it would depend on the batteries you get.

8/25/2009 12:12:07 AM

^ and a honda briefcase generator wouldn't be too loud; I just don't like the idea of running a gas powered generator for 5 or so hours in a crowd

[Edited on August 25, 2009 at 12:17 AM. Reason : .]

8/25/2009 12:17:10 AM

^^^^ a small vac can take a lot of wattage. my small vac take almost 1000 watts to run with a turn on of about 1200 watts (turning on certain item have power spike when turning on) so if your vac says it run with 800 watts you would need a 1600 watt inverter to be safe. and even certain items you may need 300 percent capacity margin because of the power spike.

to the op it be best to get something with surge capacity near the 800-1000 watt area. but i doubt the items you mention have such large surges but you don't want to buy something too low and regret it.

and no, one battery would not last the 3-4 hours you need. 3-10 batteries would be need depending on AH of the battery. if it's hooked ot your car turning on your car every 20 mins for 5-10 mins may work.
[Edited on August 25, 2009 at 7:28 AM. Reason : inverters only]


[Edited on August 25, 2009 at 7:45 AM. Reason : ..]

8/25/2009 7:27:07 AM

Is there a problem with letting your truck idle for 6 hours?

8/25/2009 7:49:46 AM

If you're going to use a generator, check out these Hondas



they're inverter driven and are very quiet. A full tank at full load will last about 4-5 hours. it will give you about 8.5 A @ 120 V

8/25/2009 7:52:16 AM

I do this with a 22" LCD and a cheapo unpowered Philips antenna that will pick up HD.

I have a little dinky inverter that I plug into my truck that I purchased from WalMart for 25 bucks, and I have never had a problem. You just have to crank up your vehicle once in awhile(this cuts the TV off momentarily)

8/25/2009 8:13:54 AM

^^

Quote :

"^^ Do you think I need 3-4 deep cycle batteries? I was hoping to keep the solution under $200. One cheap Deep cycle is about $90."

WARNING pictured generator MSRP = 859.95 and it's the smallest light generator you can get from Honda. I personally think it's the best idea, just pricey.

8/25/2009 9:08:23 AM

Quote :

"a small vac can take a lot of wattage. my small vac take almost 1000 watts to run with a turn on of about 1200 watts..."

touche

^^^is what I'm talking about. i'm sure you can find a cheaper one/used one

^^is a good way to go. test it out before hand to determine cranking needs.

8/25/2009 9:20:25 AM

Quote :

"i'm sure you can find a cheaper one/used one"

absolutely get one used. Or rent one

honda portables last forever, so a few hundred bucks for a used one would be a good investment. you will find yourself using it for other things than just tailgating

8/25/2009 9:40:02 AM

for 3-4 hrs w/ ~ 250 w draw i would probably recommend just a one or 2 large deep cycles. if you plan to tailgate at every game for the next 3 seasons then the generator would be the better choice.

8/25/2009 3:08:10 PM

If I have a 22" LCD monitor, what options do I have for an external tuner? I have a HDTV antenna, but obviously need a tuner of some sort...

8/25/2009 8:35:11 PM

I just bought this guy to receive HD to my laptop. Then I just feed signal to external 22" LCD. I will post how well it works when it comes in.

http://www.buy.com/prod/avermedia-avertv-hybrid-volar-max-usb-2-0-interface-avermedia-avertv/q/loc/101/207929443.html

I think I am going to go with the inverter and possibly 1 additional deep cycle marine battery. I think the generator option will be too loud. I am only powering a laptop and LCD so I am going to be using a little over 200W.

8/25/2009 9:53:32 PM

that should work, as long as you crank the truck up occasionally.

as for generator noise, the briefcase style generators (such as the one posted) are very quite. you won't even hear it running.

8/25/2009 9:57:43 PM

can i just use this
http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Atsc-Box-Tuner-HDtv/dp/B001IWOB2W/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251285470&sr=8-7

to bypass the need for a laptop?

8/26/2009 7:22:48 AM

for over the air channels, yes

8/26/2009 8:12:59 AM

What other type of signal is a tailgater going to use? They're laying cable out to Carter Finley? Mounting a dish on their roof?

8/26/2009 8:50:30 AM

^yeah. people just get another dish/portable dish and throw it up there. it's what I want to do, but I'm hearing conflicting reports on if my TV service will work in Raleigh since the equipment is based on the coast (ie, do we get local channels? if so are they raleigh or coastal local channels?) etc

[Edited on August 26, 2009 at 8:52 AM. Reason : .]

8/26/2009 8:52:02 AM

Unless you need ESPN and FSN, go with this. The HD is sharper than my directv HD and it is less than 9 bucks(plus you dont need extra power)


Unpowered Philips antenna from target: 9 bucks. I only use the loop and can get like 20 HD channels and a load of SD.

8/26/2009 8:54:06 AM

Quote :

"What other type of signal is a tailgater going to use? They're laying cable out to Carter Finley? Mounting a dish on their roof? "

i was originally thinking he might want to stream shit from the internetz

then remembered he probably didnt have a data card or know how to tether his phone

and i'm not sure there would be enough bandwidth anyways

carry on

8/26/2009 9:07:17 AM

you can pick up fairly good free wifi out in those lots, fyi

8/26/2009 9:34:44 AM