Leisure battery use for tv
Hello all, We've just bought our first motorhome and there are so many questions. We are learning as we go but the leisure battery & appliances we can use confuse me.
We bought a Cello 12v/24v/240v smart tv to install and it has come with 2 power cables. One is to the cigarette lighter socket which obviously will run down the vehicle engine battery, so we won't use that. The other is to a 3 prong plug via a black box (adapter?). If we plug into the leisure battery powered sockets when not on electric hook up will the tv be using 12v or 240v? Will this drain the leisure battery?
The other question is can we just plug our laptops, ipads etc in to charge or do we need something to allow us to do this safely? I do have an inverter to charge them from the cigaretter lighter as we drive along.
Thanks for any help.
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The other is to a 3 prong plug via a black box (adapter?). If we plug into the leisure battery powered sockets when not on electric hook up will the tv be using 12v or 240v? Will this drain the leisure battery?
The 3 pin (prong) sockets will only be powered when on electric hook up, otherwise they will give no output. On 12 volt only the round cigarette type sockets will work. We have just changed from a Caravan to MH and have several of these in the living area, one of which is by the TV aerial input and could be used as BB suggests. These are powered by the leisure battery. There is also one on the vehicle instrument panel, which I would assume will be powered from the vehicle battery, although haven't checked.
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According to the specification, the TV takes 15 Watts but 35 Watts if using the DVD. So, the TV only is around 1.5 amps on dc so should not run the battery down too much, even with a few hours viewing, however, the DVD is using 3 amps so you would need to limit the use if you are off of EHU.
You can still use the 12 volt cigarette lighter supply in the habitation area if you are connected to mains hook-up because the 12 volt is continually supplied from the mains through your control panel.
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unlike uk vans, German vans don't have their 12v systems shut down when the engine is running...this means we don't need to move devices being charged whatever our driving/camping circumstances...
i suspect your Hymer will be the same.
Similar BB. In our Hymer there is a panel above the door which controls 12 volt power and shows the status of tanks and batteries. We can have this on or off when on the move.
As to plugs, our Hymer comes with I think I of each in its continental guise. However, most sold here and certainly ours, come with the extra plugs pack £450. It's total overkill, there are plugs and 12 volt sockets and USB connectors everywhere. Even two 240 volt sockets in the garage. A more modest number would have been adequate, but then perhaps difficult to justify the extra charge. The 4 USB sockets are nice though for charging pads and phones.
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If your habitation 12 V DC socket is one of the type using a plug with two flat prongs, as some are, then there are leads that convert this to the "Cigarette" type socket to suit the Cello.
For charging tablets phones etc that use USB then we use the simple plug in adaptors sold for in car recharging. Units like this, but ensure it has the high 2 Amp or more USB output as lower powered ones are also sold though will struggle to charge my tablet.
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If you haven't already got one then get the largest Solar panel you can afford, make sure there's enough roof space to fit it, and most of your power problems will disappear.
A decent Solar panel, a couple of leisure batteries, a refillable gas system, on-board toilet facilities and the World is your Lobster.
We have an 80W Solar panel, two 110amp Leisure batteries and a cheap (£20) B2B and do not need hook-up at home when the MH is stood on the drive much of the year or when we are away.
I wish we had originally fitted a bigger Solar panel but even at only 80W it has been adequate for our needs.
When in France, whatever time of year, we use Aires and don't use or need hook up and we can park up virtually anywhere without worrying about a power supply.
The TV runs off the 12v power supply and we run the fridge/freezer continually on the refillable gas system.
Solar really is the way forward to get freedom with a Motorhome.
Hope this helps.
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hows the change over going?
Very well thanks. We also have solar panels. I was most impressed the other day, with the TV on 12 volt (and no EHU) the battery seemed to be maintained at full charge, although it was sunny. Would certainly work well for the OP with his Cello TV. Ours is Avtex but I think has a similar power requirement.
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