power invertor...car question

[blueswitch]

This isn't really computer related but this seems like a good thread for you guys who know electricity. Im wanting to run a 20" TV in my truck for tailgates and Im looking at power invertors. How do I know what size power invertor I need? The invertors list watts..how do I look on the back of the TV and take whatever from there to match up with the watt outputs of the invertors? thanks

[SB911]

Well I have a 700 watt invertor and it draws 60 amps from the car at full output. What do you have on the back of your TV?

For example, my old and big 21" CRT monitor takes 2.8 amps..... = 336 watts.

[blueswitch]

here's what the power specs are from back of TV I don;t see amps unfortunatly
120volts ac
60hz
85w

[four4875]

right there, you answered your own question :-P

it says 85 watts :-P

If it was me, i wopuld get one rated for at least 150% of the TVs rating, and anything else youll want to run, maybe a coffee maker or somethin stupid like that.

then be sure to use nicesized wire to run to the inverter, just to be sure you dont have any problems there. I'm the might as well go overkill, just in case kind of person when it comes to wire sizes on things like that.

[SB911]

Yep, 85 watts.

Just be careful with invertors, anything with heating elements in them take a lot of power, coffee makers, toasters, hair dryers and so on.

[blueswitch]

yeah...the TV is actually in another town at home so I called my dad and had him read the back so I didn;t know it gave watts until you asked for the specs. 85 does seem low...I am also the over kill just in case guy but Im not gonna use this alot so I was looking for cheap..looks like homedepot has a 400 watt for the same price Bestbuy charges for a 220watt so 400 watts should be more than enough....maybe I'll run my xbox too....this is for a football tailgate ;)

[rhino56]

this might help maybe
http://www.overclockers.com/tips1201/
http://www.overclockers.com/tips1201/image014.jpg

[Xtreme Barton]

400 will be plenty .. just make sure you have a good connection from your inverter to your battery. and a nice ground.

if you have a spare battery that would be excellent too.

just make sure you run your vehichle every so often so it doesnt kill the battery..

[four4875]

by overkill i meant the wire to the inverter, in case you have an urge to put in a bitgger inverter at a later date, youll jjust have to wire it in and be done, not run bugger wire and stuff like that.