Power

Fergie

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Hi all,I hope someone can help.Im fulltiming in a1990 swift Kontiki 640/6,it has no solar or invertor,my question is what is best route to get 240v for tv etc ? I park in my work through the week which is a transport company so noise isn't an issue,at weekends I will be mainly wilding it out and about plus the odd stay at sites to do toilet water etc, cheers any help would be great Fergie
 
Not sure but think you can only get 240v from hook up. Would say you need 12v TV then good solar and Leisure batteries. More knowledgeable folk will be along shortly I am sure.
 
I presume you hook up at work,charging your batteries?
Have you room and payload to fit extra / larger leisure batteries?
Then you'll need small inverter.... Amazon.

If you have a modern TV, they don't use too much power.

Changing lighting to LEDs might be worthwhile., as might a free standing solar panel.. Amazon... You can move this around to follow the sun.. We have just 40 Watts, but don't have TV. Rarely have to hook up in summer.

There is no free electric, you have to buy kit to make and store it, off grid.
 
What else are you running on 240v?

I'm an advocate of as many appliances on 12v and lpg and not relying on 240v.If 240v off grid is essential for you then the conventional route is an inverter with a large leisure battery capacity and some means of charging,either solar panels,battery to battery charger or generator.If you only need 240v for TV I would consider going for a low wattage 12v model.
 
Hi inverters use lots more power so go for a 12v tv.
I would say at least 200ah of batteries and 200w of solar panel will do the trick.
230v is not required in m/homes unless you are planing to take in washing etc.:lol-053:.
I would also think about refillable gas bottles,gaslow etc,hope this helps.:wave:
 
trevskoda said:
Hi inverters use lots more power so go for a 12v tv.
I would say at least 200ah of batteries and 200w of solar panel will do the trick.
230v is not required in m/homes unless you are planing to take in washing etc.:lol-053:.
I would also think about refillable gas bottles,gaslow etc,hope this helps.:wave:
Click to expand...
That's £ 400 gone
 
240 only on hook up

Buy different tv = 12volt and lead. freeview HD card inside.
 
It may well be that your existing TV works on 12V anyway.

Some have a transformer on the lead which reduces the 240v to 12v. I have read about people converting TV's to 12v, but you would need to research and be very sure.
 
Avtex TV, fairly expensive but, for me, the best, DVD player built in, as is both Satellite and Freeview receivers.

Forget all about inverters, power hungry and inefficient, put the money into solar on the roof instead!
 
For my pennyworth, it would be Forget the TV that in all probability have to have a dedicated Area for it to be fixed to, Go the Laptop, Bluetooth Speaker & Hard Drive route. Easier to Manage, Charge, Smaller, Stowable & Multi Functional.
IMAG1792_1.jpg
 
I don't have solar/generator/invertor, just 2 leisure batteries . My MH is on EHU whilst at home(so batteries get charged).

My tv is a 12v one (Avtex), I changed my bulbs to LED ones and I turn stuff off to go to sleep.

I tend to find I can stay put for a couple of days without issue and then a quick drive around and they're charged up again. so get yourself a 2nd battery and a 12v TV and you should manage fine
 
Nesting Zombie said:
For my pennyworth, it would be Forget the TV that in all probability have to have a dedicated Area for it to be fixed to, Go the Laptop, Bluetooth Speaker & Hard Drive route. Easier to Manage, Charge, Smaller, Stowable & Multi Functional.
View attachment 52285
Click to expand...

I partly agree. Laptop is great if you want to watch stuff you have downloaded or to watch tv on via Filmon if you have a decent internet connection but they suck a fair bit of power up especially if they need charging. about 40 watts on tickover and more if the battery is low but our Akura 16" TV is just 14 watts (Lower than an Avtex I think).

Without doubt though 12v everything is the way to go. Solar is great but not in the winter. Should be starting to work better now though.
 
In summary- any or all of the below depending on your exact situation

1) Eliminate the need for 240v (12v TV, gas kettle, non electric shaver [or shave in gents], gas for heating/hot water/fridge, car charger for phone).

2) Reduce the 12v usage (LED lights, turn off unneeded lights, don't use TV as background noise).

3) Increase 12v storage (more/bigger batteries)

4) Maximise 12v charging (make sure leisure battery is charged whilst driving; use EHU when on a site; solar; generator; slip the foreman a bottle of scotch to throw an extension lead outside whist you are parked at work, get fitters to charge your batteries for you [when I was working from a caravan on a non EHU site I took the battery into the office and charged it at my desk ] ).

5) Save money by using refillable gas.
 
I bought my 12v avtex earlier in the year for 50£ second hand as the dvd drive didn't work .. when home I reattached the ribbon cable internally, and now fine :) good unit ..have made 2 places for it to plug in/hang..

I don't actually know if it is HD ! it doesn't pic up HD channels but is hdmi compatible. it doesn't matter though ..just having a tv in a camper van is enough for those rainy days..
 
You could leave the damn square box at home to save power.The view outside is far better it's like immersive real life TV.
I never understand why people sit glued to the rubbish and miss the wonders of nature around them.The Chat to the other half is better too.
Makes me smirk when you see rows of folks on a campsite all sat inside watching Soaps from 6.30 till dark and missing so much outside.
Mindst you it makes the shower block quiet while everyone is absorbing the daily spoon fed drivel.
My families camping got more pleasurable and we did more when we left it behind. You put it on in the morning to check the weather over brekkie instead of just dealing with it while your out.Before you know it you have lost the motivation to get out there and next you know your watching daytime tv programmes and half the morning has gone.
 
despite my post I have noticed it..that thing in the corner..and I am 5 nights and two weekends into camper vans... a life under canvas often using a motorbike is hard to forget :)
 
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