Onboard TV/Video

[Guest]

Without getting into a debate about having a TV and combined VCR onboard (I've been outvoted, and basically I can live with that if everyone's happy to come cruising) is it better to buy a 12V set at an expensive price, or buy a cheaper 240V set and purchase an inverter to provide the dc?

 

[ccscott49]

I would buy the much cheaper 240 set, you can then use the inverter for other things aswell micro etc. Good inverters these days are 95% efficient, if not more. Thats what I did and it works very well!

 

[oldharry]

But watch out for the current drain on the batteries, whichever you opt for. Our local yard reckons they get more calls for battery re-charges because of late night TV viewing than almost any other cause!

 

[ccscott49]

Automatic battery low voltage shut down! Most new inverters have it.

 

[Guest]

I opted for the 12V TV/VCR combo because I couldn't foresee other uses for the inverter. If you would have a use for shore power away from the pontoon, get the inverter. If, like me, you merely wanted the TV/VCR combo, get the 12V version and use it at anchor and on the pontoon.

 

[boatone]

Re: Inverters can also......

...be used for all sorts of other things you may not immediately think of.
Many of us use appliances with small rechargeable batteries these days - digital cameras, camcorders, mobile phones, laptop computers, radios, torches etc all of which usually come with a mains charger. Although it is often possible to buy a 12v charger these can take ages to fully recharge the batteries. I recently bought a 150watt inverter and now use it to recharge all my little gadgets with the mains chargers they came with when I bought them. Charging to full recharge level is much quicker and I have more than sufficient power to run a laptop and printer straight from the 240v supply as they only draw about 40watts together- infact I could have a scanner in there as well for another 20watts or so!
The inverter has made me truly mobile - take pictures with digicam, download to laptop, do the tricky bits in photoshop and upload to website via mobile phone all from the boat without landlines or shore power. The inverter is very efficient and on no load only draws a fraction of a watt in standby but is fitted with a remote on /off switch facility anyway. Cost under £200 for a really good quality one (MasterVolt?)Great it is and I wish i hadnt spent money on 12v chargers which i dont need anymore.




TonyR
boatone@boatsontheweb.com

 

[BarryD]

Currys have a deal on at the moment - combined colour remote controlled TV / VCR for £149.99. SWMBO has been detailed to buy one... of course it's right next to the shoe shop so I don't hold out much hope.

 

[Guest]

Many thanks for all the replies