Recommendations around watching TV(movie) on OEM outlet while camping?

[spetka]

We usually don't watch TV while camping, and have only done so in the travel trailer when we had full hookups. Taking the kids next month and they are bringing some friends. Our site does not have full hookups, so was thinking of using the OEM outlet on the 4runner just for the TV and possibly DVD player(hard to stream Netflix from cell phone hotspot out here). The TV specs are average 28Watts(says max 42W), and the DVD player probably less than that. I haven't used this OEM outlet at all yet. Would the kids be able to watch a movie without the car running? Or should I start it up for a few minutes every 10 or 15 minutes? Hate to leave it just running for a couple hours if I don't need to.

Thanks

 

[BigredTEX]

The things we do to get kids outdoors!

First, you will have to have the ignition on while using the 110v outlet. It only has power in the ON position, not ACC position. That brings a number of other power drains into the equation. Given the wattage of the TV, it will not be a major drain on the battery by itself, but it would be a good idea to fire up the engine every 30 minutes or so and let it run for 10 minutes. This assumes you have a relatively new battery and all is well with the charging system.

 

[spetka]

The things we do to get kids outdoors!

First, you will have to have the ignition on while using the 110v outlet. It only has power in the ON position, not ACC position. That brings a number of other power drains into the equation. Given the wattage of the TV, it will not be a major drain on the battery by itself, but it would be a good idea to fire up the engine every 30 minutes or so and let it run for 10 minutes. This assumes you have a relatively new battery and all is well with the charging system.

Ok sounds like a plan, I'll probably just do that start every 30 minutes for 10 minutes to be safe. Its only about 6 months old. I was hoping there was some way to know the amp hours like many other types of batteries have, making it easy to figure out how much time it can provide a certain wattage. But these car batteries only tell you cold cranking amps. Or if the car shuts down if the key is left on. One of my wife's previous cars did that, if you left key on without running it, or lights on etc for a certain amount of time, it would go into some battery save mode and shut down.

 

[e60ral]

the engine has to be running for the power outlet to be on


save videos to an iPad or laptop and use that instead

 

[Titanpat57]

The power outlet will only output 100w without the engine running....400w WITH the engine running

 

[mmike87]

They make inverters that are essentially a case for a deep cycle 12v battery ... Look them up. They will run that TV for quite some time.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[MattAK]

They make inverters that are essentially a case for a deep cycle 12v battery ... Look them up. They will run that TV for quite some time.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

You'll want to test the battery and TV together if you decide to go this route. We have a big Duracel battery with built-in 110 inverter at my work. When we tried it with our 70" Samsung TV mounted on a portable stand the TV made all sorts of squeals and clicking noises when it was on. It did stay on, but it complained the entire time. We figured the capacitors didn't like the power they were getting.

 

[Teamoatmealpie]

Wut?

I Smell Spam??


However - in my experience you can kill the battery in about 15 min with the rear outlet being used while the rig is not running.

front USB died, but had my IPhone cube and cord - so charged only my IPhone and it killed the battery into a no start situation while camping. Of course my portable jump pack was not with me- so had to ride my not street legal YZ450 30 miles to a Walmart - only to run into the sheriff on the way back, 1 mile from my camp. He was cool, no tickets, but riding with a full size battery in a back pack sucks big time.

 

[jhguth]

Damn we got spam bots replying to spam bots now

 

[smpsmp]

I'm with who suggested just take a tablet or laptop and save whatever you want to watch to it.

 

[daytonaviolet]

A long extension cord and this



Durostar DS4000S Portable Generator, Yellow/Black Amazon.com : Durostar DS4000S Portable Generator, Yellow/Black : Garden & Outdoor

 

[Camping4R]

Jackery or Goal Zero. Simple and can pair with solar if you stay multiple days. Easy.

 

[pcstockton]

Why do they even want to go camping?

Anyway.... I wouldn't do it. Bring an iPad.

 

[Draggin]

give it a test ahead of time? Nothing stopping you from running the test in the garage eh?

 

[Nobody Special]

I know it is an old thread, but since it was bumped...

Isn't the point of camping to get AWAY from regular life?

 

[Camping4R]

Also, if you are running stuff off your starter battery while camping you really need one of those jump starter batteries and to make sure it is charged.

I wouldn’t want to rely on a portable jump pack if I’m the only vehicle around. Seems like asking for problems.

I have the jackery and it works great for my fridge and electronics, FWIW

 

[Camping4R]

The portable jump pack is for when you run your starter battery down to nothing. They work for starting cars not running appliances.

They are an excellent safety precaution and can even be recharged from the car's electrical system.

It works when there is no one else around to jump you.
But, I also wouldn't run appliances off of my starter battery.

I have a jump pack as well, yeah my point was the same as your last point. Don’t intentionally drain your starter battery with a TV.

 

[ShooterShad]

deliverance, wolf creek, friday the 13th, cabin in the woods, the ritual, texas chainsaw massacre, the final girls, avatar, the great outdoors, lake placid, the hills have eyes, the strangers, tucker & dale vs. evil, wrong turn, annihilation, meatballs, into the wild, without a paddle, we're the millers, white water summer, the edge, macgruber