TheSamba.com :: View topic - Looking to run a small tv and a gaming console

Mon Dec 12, 2016 9:45 am

I'm trying to set up a small flat screen and a n64 in the back of my van. I am wondering what the best battery, solar panel, combo would be for this. If I get the nice one from gowesty will that be sufficient to run the tv and gaming console without worry of losing power? Do you think I can get away with tying in my auxiliary battery to my main battery with a 1 2 off switch and letting the alternator bring them both up when running then using a solar trickle charger to keep the auxiliary battery up when not running the vehicle? Anybody have any knowledge of how long A car battery will run a tv and gaming console off a inverter?

Mon Dec 12, 2016 10:00 am

How much current (amps) does your TV and gaming console draw?

Mon Dec 12, 2016 11:17 am

I had no problem running a 19" Walmart LED TV off a small Bestek 300 watt power inverter for the duration of an NBA finals game. I was also powering a big ARB fridge and some lights. I use two sealed lead acid batteries (44 amp hour and 50 amp hours), powered by a 100 watt solar panel during the day. According to Google, N64 only uses 19 watts AC, so a small power inverter should able to power both for a decently long time depending on your battery.

There are many, many different ways to make a good aux power system.
Many good examples are posted on this site.

My system is a modified version of the popular GoWesty aux battery kit. It includes:
-Upgrade to 4 awg wire and 60 amp breaker
-Switch to turn off alternator battery combine
-Blue Sea Systems Battery switch to turn system off or select specific aux battery. (I use two sealed lead acid batteries.) I normally have both selected.
-Blue Sea Systems fuse block
-Noco Genius 4amp charger
-Renogy 100 watt solar panel and charge controller. (Panel rests in luggage rack)
-Three 12v outlets
-2 Sealed 12v lead acid batteries (one under the driver seat and one in the galley under the sink)

I like my system because of the 3 different ways of charging. The batteries get power if the van is running, if it is plugged in, or if the sun is out.

Mon Dec 12, 2016 12:19 pm

N64!?

-Rob

Mon Dec 12, 2016 1:23 pm

Robw_z wrote: N64!?

-Rob

Its a 21 century version of Pong.

Total draw about 60 Watts. so about 10 hours of use will draw down a Group 24 battery to the 50% mark.

You would need a 240 Watt Solar setup to keep up, especially in Maine. Not too practical.

Mon Dec 12, 2016 1:28 pm

Thanks for the responses! Ten hours is great! How long you think one of those small solar trickle chargers takes to lift a battery back up? Hell yeah n64 rob!! Membah goldeneye? Membah Mario cart? I membah! I can get a tv that is 12 volt as well will this help to leave less drawn from the inverter?

Mon Dec 12, 2016 3:33 pm

There are 12 Volt TV or Monitor options. That is the most efficient use of battery power. They also makes under counter TV mounts that would work well under the upper rear AC cabinet where you could fold up the TV when not in use. You may still need the inverter for the game console but at least the TV would be running more efficiently.

I was going to do that but found am 11.6" Levova laptop that runs 11 hours on a charge. And I can use it for surfing the internet through my phone.

I have a simple battery switch in my van. I just leave it connected for normal dirving and charging and then if I am camping and worried that I might draw the starting battery down running the heater overnight, I can disconnect them. A manual switch is nice because you can use some of power from the starting battery before you disconnect. For the same reason, I left the stereo connected to the starting battery. Might as well get the most use out of that space and weight. In most instances, 2 connected batteries are more than enough power and I don't have to worry about having enough starting power.

Mon Dec 12, 2016 6:13 pm

Sounds like a raspberry Pi is the answer for your needs.

https://www.raspberrypi.org/

https://www.raspberrypi.org/magpi/diy-nes-classic/

thats one of many ways you can go about doing this. IT is virtually made for you to make it your own. It can also be preassembled for you and loaded with whatever emulator you wish.

You can also order and android tv box. Same thing as you android phone but made to connect to a screen.

http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-_gear/c_11257/

I bought a tv box for home. Cut my cable. Happy. hope this helps

Mon Dec 12, 2016 7:33 pm

Have a look at the big interstate truck stops. Lots of 12 volt options

Mon Dec 12, 2016 8:13 pm

I have a 120-watt Zamp Solar portable panel (HIGHLY recommended over stationary mounting) connected through a pro-grade isolator and monster cable throughout going to two 100 amp hour AGM batteries from Batteries Plus (extraordinary customer service and warranty backup!!!). I also had a 25-foot extension cord made by Zamp so I can be deep in shade while the panel is not.

The guy doing the wiring begged me to return the GW wiring kit, so I did. Wire gauge is critical here. I work 150+ days a year on this setup, so it was critical to get it right.

If it's sunny, I can keep a MacBook at full power and run a stereo and a 24" Eizo graphics monitor all day, and still have enough power for a few movies at night.

The newer, foldable panels are worth a look.

Tue Dec 13, 2016 9:03 am

Some really good info in here about what components you need to build a system.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=615088

You do not really need to go looking anywhere else!

Wed Dec 14, 2016 11:06 am

I've decided to go with a ark pak as my auxiliary power system running a 12 volt tv and a raspberry pi to take care of the games. Should be a sick setup looking forward to getting it all hooked up. Thanks for the info