Battery power for tv

[WTXCal]

I have always had shore power for my rv. I want to start basic boondocking a little. If I had a 100 watt solar panel, could I use a tv and satellite setup? How long at a time? I'm very new to this so any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks, WTXCal

 

[AuricTech]

I would start off by getting a Kill-A-Watt meter, so that you can measure how much power your TV and satellite system use (don't rely on the data plate Watts rating). Given average conditions of about four hours of "good sun" per day, I would expect such a panel to produce around 300 Watt-hours daily (you'll rarely, if ever, have a solar panel reach its rated Wattage).

Keep in mind that what you'll want to do is use your solar panel to charge a deep-cycle battery, from which you'll then power your loads. Unless your TV and satellite system are 12V DC powered, you'll also need an inverter to get AC electricity.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

We'll need more info from you in order to give you any kind of answer.

How many amps do your tv and sat receiver draw? Should be some tags on them listing either amps or watts.

Regards
John

 

[AuricTech]

BTW, this is a Kill-A-Watt meter.

 

[highdesertranger]

agreed more info needed. highdesertranger

 

[akrvbob]

I have a sat dish/recever and TV and unfortunatey I've never checked it with my kill-a-watt.

I can tell you that 200 watts on my cargo trailer was not enough for my normal daily use and the sat, it couldn't keep up. But I am a fairly heavy electric user. I have a 12 volt fridge and I'm on the laptop a lot.

I also have a 140 watt and a 240 watt system on my van so I never run out of power.

Maybe if you never use anything else 100 watts would be enough, but I doubt it.
Bob

 

[WTXCal]

Thanks everyone,

I'll get the needed info and get back to you all. Sure happy I found this site.
WTXCal