I'm wanting to see if anyone has had any thoughts on this. I'm looking to get a generator from honda but a good used one is still $900. I can do the same with 2 dry cell batteries and a Big A$$ power invertor. $400. I plan to use it for tailgating which will be at bestbe running a tv and a direct tv box. I will need it to get about 4-5 hours at most. My little invertor will run all day on 1 battery and thats charging my laptop. Any thoughts?
Power invertor vs Generator?
- Thread starter cr817
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2005
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
Six of one, half dozen of the other.
I see the 1kw Hondas used on Craigslist for ~$500ish pretty regularly, so there's that option, too. They're quiet, they'll run all day on a gallon of gas, and they've got more than enough power for what you're describing.
I'd check the actual watt draw on your tv and directv box beforehand, but you should be able to run them all day on an inverter, too. They're going to pull a fair bit more power than the laptop would.
Depending how how/where you're mounting them, the generator might be less cumbersome than the batteries and generator. Edit: it's also more flexible. You can move it around, refill it and go for another 8 hours, etc.
I see the 1kw Hondas used on Craigslist for ~$500ish pretty regularly, so there's that option, too. They're quiet, they'll run all day on a gallon of gas, and they've got more than enough power for what you're describing.
I'd check the actual watt draw on your tv and directv box beforehand, but you should be able to run them all day on an inverter, too. They're going to pull a fair bit more power than the laptop would.
Depending how how/where you're mounting them, the generator might be less cumbersome than the batteries and generator. Edit: it's also more flexible. You can move it around, refill it and go for another 8 hours, etc.
Thats my big delimma. I want to run a 46" led tv so the draw is min. The fact of having a 1000eu would be nice. Would it run the tv all day with no issues? I hear the 1000eu wont pull a fan though? I'd like to get a massive power invertor to run a fan in the summer if needed.
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2005
- Location
- Sharon, SC
I ahve a small Onan inverter 1700.
I can run my 42 LCD tailgate TV, my directv box, my wifes daiquiri blender and a small fan no problem. Yes all day. If its a night game I usually have to refill once during the day but we usually start tailgating at 8A regardless of kick off time.
I can run my 42 LCD tailgate TV, my directv box, my wifes daiquiri blender and a small fan no problem. Yes all day. If its a night game I usually have to refill once during the day but we usually start tailgating at 8A regardless of kick off time.
moldman05
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2006
- Location
- Rocky Mount NC
I tried a power inverter to tailgate. Didn't run the fan well, did ok to charge phones and small lights. I think the unit was way over rated. It couldn't put out 750 watts (advertised wattage) or even 500 watts. I'm looking for new better one but I'm suspicious of the ratings.
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2005
- Location
- Sharon, SC
I'm talking about an inverter style generator.
The quiet tailgate gens (like the lil red honda and onans) are called inverrtr generators