Inverter for Starlink and TV

[Creek Jenkins]

I’m thinking of running 12 volts to the tv slide out and putting an inverter there so we can have Starlink on and possibly watch tv when boondocking. Because nothing says camping like satellite internet and tv.

Anyone else try this? How hard is it to get a wire into the back of tv area? Our 310 does not have the hideaway pantry, just the fireplace pulls out.

Cheers
Creek

 

[Oregon_Camper]

Not sure there is a large enough 12 volt wire back there to make this happen. Radio is most likely 18 awg, which wouldn't help.

You might consider just getting a "solar generator".. (yea..I hate that marketing term too) and run the Starlink and TV off of that. Then you can use in more locations (mabye watch TV in bed?)

Here is link to one of many on Amazon

 

[Todd F]

Not sure there is a large enough 12 volt wire back there to make this happen. Radio is most likely 18 awg, which wouldn't help.

You might consider just getting a "solar generator.. (yea..I hate that marketing term too) and run the Starlink and TV off of that. Then you can use in more locations (mabye watch TV in bed?)

Here is link to one of many on Amazon

We have a couple of these portable power stations as well of a different brand. They really come in handy when the power goes out and don't want to run the generator to keep the computers going. We also use them to power up a tv outside and not be tethered to an extension cord if we are sitting away from the rig.

 

[JWalker]

I’m thinking of running 12 volts to the tv slide out and putting an inverter there so we can have Starlink on and possibly watch tv when boondocking. Because nothing says camping like satellite internet and tv.

Anyone else try this? How hard is it to get a wire into the back of tv area? Our 310 does not have the hideaway pantry, just the fireplace pulls out.

Cheers
Creek

Could you put the inverter closer to the battery and then run standard Romax 14/2 out to a separate plug by the TV?

 

[Creek Jenkins]

I was thinking I would run a dedicated 12v line directly from the batteries and have the inverter located behind the tv with Starlink. However your idea of locating the inverter by the battery then running 110v maybe a smarter way to go, would open up running 110 to other places easier. I just have two lead acid batteries now, thinking about adding two more but should consider lithium. It would be a major cost I think I would need a new converter and solar panel controller plus a dc/dc converter. And inverter. And shunt. Probably need a shunt no matter which way I go. With the 12v fridge and all the other draws I don’t think four lead acid batteries are going to last long.

 

[Midnight Rider]

We have a couple of these portable power stations as well of a different brand. They really come in handy when the power goes out and don't want to run the generator to keep the computers going. We also use them to power up a tv outside and not be tethered to an extension cord if we are sitting away from the rig.

What power source is it? Will it run a CPAP?

 

[Todd F]

What power source is it? Will it run a CPAP?

VTOMAN AMAZON

 

[Todd F]

What power source is it? Will it run a CPAP?

Not familiar with the power requirement for a CPAP machine but there are several of these power type packs in many different brands a wattages.

 

[Oregon_Camper]

..... I think I would need a new converter and solar panel controller plus a dc/dc converter. And inverter. And shunt. Probably need a shunt no matter which way I go

The converter and solar controller just need to be changed to Lithium profile. You don't need DC to DC or shunt. Shunt would however be first on the list to add.

 

[Creek Jenkins]

So the converter and solar controller can just be reset to lithium? What about the charge wire from the truck? Doesn’t that need to be changed to a higher voltage?
The shunt would be nice just to see how much juice everything takes. The 12v fridge is probably the biggest draw, but there are a million lights and other little draws that add up as well.
When we boondock I would not expect to run the AC without a generator.
Cheers
Creek

 

[Oregon_Camper]

So the converter and solar controller can just be reset to lithium? What about the charge wire from the truck? Doesn’t that need to be changed to a higher voltage?
The shunt would be nice just to see how much juice everything takes. The 12v fridge is probably the biggest draw, but there are a million lights and other little draws that add up as well.
When we boondock I would not expect to run the AC without a generator.
Cheers
Creek

1 - Yep...just change profile to Lithium.
2 - Your truck will get you to about 85% charge, without adding DC-to-DC charger. The solar (once moved to lithium profile) will get you to 100%.
3 - As I said, you don't need a shunt, but I highly recommend one. Simply because the voltage stays high on lithium for so long, that the LED panel will report "full" until lithium hits about 20% charge. Shunt will tell you the exact amps coming in and out.

 

[JeffS]

Instead of running wire, it might be easier to take advantage of the inverter prep. You'll have a lot more outlets powered if needed. I think the install is only slightly more complex, but easier than running wire.

 

[DanNJanice]

Instead of running wire, it might be easier to take advantage of the inverter prep. You'll have a lot more outlets powered if needed. I think the install is only slightly more complex, but easier than running wire.

If your trailer has inverter prep, this is definitely the way to go. I thought all alliance trailer had that.
Then you just mount the inverter near the batteries and you will have several inverted outlets at you disposal. On my avenue it powers the TV in the living room slide, both outlets in the bedroom, the GFCI on the island and perhaps one more.

 

[Creek Jenkins]

No inverter prep on my 2024 Paradigm 310. Sadly.

We are preparing for a one month stay off grid in the mountains this summer and the medical industrial complex has informed me that I now need a CPAP machine. Unfortunately my wife has backed them up as now she can actually get a full nights sleep. I’m torn between getting a $500 power pack or roughly $2000 for a couple lithium batteries and an inverter. The rest of the year we are mostly on shore power but we do like to harvest host on the way to our destinations.

If I go with the lithium and inverter route, I imagine the easiest way would be to hook it up to power the entire camper and then just shut off breakers for circuits. I don’t want to power. Does that make sense?

Cheers
Creek

 

[Creek Jenkins]

I should add that I have the standard 320w solar package and when boondocking we normally run a generator a hour or two a day. We found out that the oven will not work without 110v and my wife likes to cook so one more reason to have power. Anyone run a CPAP when off grid? Power supply says 90 watts but I assume it actually consumes less than that.
Cheers
Creek

 

[Oregon_Camper]

No inverter prep on my 2024 Paradigm 310. Sadly.

We are preparing for a one month stay off grid in the mountains this summer and the medical industrial complex has informed me that I now need a CPAP machine. Unfortunately my wife has backed them up as now she can actually get a full nights sleep. I’m torn between getting a $500 power pack or roughly $2000 for a couple lithium batteries and an inverter. The rest of the year we are mostly on shore power but we do like to harvest host on the way to our destinations.

Go with the power pack. I love lithium and inverters, but just no reason to do all that work for a few nights a year.

Plus...you get to take it anywhere...not just the RV. If you lose power at home, you can use the power pack.

 

[Creek Jenkins]

Since my CPAP power is 24 v, I found they make a 12 V adapter. So I’m going to try installing a 12 V plug next to the bed and just run off my existing dual lead acid batteries. If I shut off the CPAP humidifier and hose heater I am hoping the batteries can handle the extra load. We run the generator an hour or so a day anyway for the coffee pot and hair dryer.

 

[Midnight Rider]

Since my CPAP power is 24 v, I found they make a 12 V adapter. So I’m going to try installing a 12 V plug next to the bed and just run off my existing dual lead acid batteries. If I shut off the CPAP humidifier and hose heater I am hoping the batteries can handle the extra load. We run the generator an hour or so a day anyway for the coffee pot and hair dryer.

CJ,
Do you have a link for the 12 volt CPAP adapter outlet that you can share?
I would love to hook that up for dry camping. Thanks

 

[Creek Jenkins]

I have a ResMed CPAP (Australian company, so it has a constant whine, smells like beer and cheap scotch, comes along on your trips whether you want it to or not) AirSense 10. I just went on Amazon and put in the make model and 12v power and got a jillion options. I bought one for $30, looks same as the $100 OEM one. Will try it out this weekend.
Cheers
Creek