which inverter?

[Graydo]

Looking for some advice,

I would like to run my Sky+HD box in my van from my leisure batteries (two varta la95's).
My avtex tv and Satfi both work on 12v but obviously Sky needs 230 volts or an inverter.

Question is how powerful?

This is purely for the sky box only, and as I was in go outdoors today I saw several at a reasonable price.

Was contemplating a small gas converted Honda generator but seems overkill for a bit of Sky telly!

Other equipment running from batteries include lights and fan for boiler (Truma combi 6e running on gas, as is fridge).

Any recommendations for a specific brand or model gratefully received.

Thanks

Graydo

 

[tonka]

Mr Google says the sky box uses 15-25 Watts. So not a massive amount. 1- 2.5 amps..plus add on a percentage for loss in the inverter, maybe 10%.

 

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[Graydo]

Ok,
so as I understand it,
the Sky box plugs into the inverter via the normal 3 pin plug and the inverter plugs into the 12v socket in my van.
So, given that this will probably be easily seen rather than in a cupboard, I am looking for the smallest inverter I can get away with which can be easily removed when not needed.

Judging by the size of the box today for the 1000w inverter that seems rather large...

 

[MisterB]

you can still get old 12v sky pace boxes on ebay - not sure if you can pair your card up with them but I don't see why not? you wont get sky + though as its only one sat feed connection

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[Silver-Fox]

you can still get old 12v sky pace boxes on ebay - not sure if you can pair your card up with them but I don't see why not?

Id hazard a guess most of these boxes are 12v

 

[haganap]

The way it used to happen is that you would get an old Sky pace 12v box. But they are rare nowadays and to be fair, those still around are hard to pair. A simple inverter would do the job but I would splash out and get a stirling pure sine wave inverter and use it for loads of other stuff too.

 

[Graydo]

Id hazard a guess most of these boxes are 12v

Really,
including the Sky+HD?

 

[Campervan_man]

With a 1000W to 2000W you can use it for other things as well.
Just run a single 240V extension lead to where you need it?

 

[Graydo]

The way it used to happen is that you would get an old Sky pace 12v box. But they are rare nowadays and to be fair, those still around are hard to pair. A simple inverter would do the job but I would splash out and get a stirling pure sine wave inverter and use it for loads of other stuff too.

It's more logistics TBH,
the 3 pin socket is directly under the 12v socket underneath the Avtex, but the leisure batteries are on the opposite side of the van.

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[Raul]

I strongly recommend you a victron Phoenix 12/250 for your needs. It has a low no load power consumption, 5 year warranty, good re sale value if you done with it, and reliable. Also good quality sine wave. Also the healthy toroidal transformer, supports a good deal of overload, if needed for short bursts. If you think you need more power, just pick next up.
Buy good buy once, buy cheap buy twice.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Really,
including the Sky+HD?

Have a look on the back usually you get the operating voltage.

Ive had old boxes that did.
I’ve not had sky though.

 

[Campervan_man]

It's more logistics TBH,
the 3 pin socket is directly under the 12v socket underneath the Avtex, but the leisure batteries are on the opposite side of the van.

Locate the Inverter near to the battery or batteries with short thick leads then run a 240V lead to where you need it.
I have a Giandel Inverter in a belly locker and have ran a 240V lead 3M away to where I need the 240V power. The remote means that I can switch the inverter ON and OFF from inside the van. The remote pad has a little light so you can see it's on.

 

[two]

I've had big inverters and don't think they have done any favours to my batteries. They tend to encourage you to use 'mains power' devices as if you were at home and even take electric kit that you wouldn't otherwise have used. You should try to discipline yourself to use as little as possible. It can be done. A 500W PSW inverter should be more than adequate and more affordable in terms of cost, installation and harm done to batteries. You could probably get away with an even smaller one, depending on the heartiest item you might use it for (only use one big item at a time). I only use mine, now, for charging the laptop (85W). An e-bike might need up to 500W, which is why I suggest a 500W inverter. PSW will ensure it can 'drive' anything that might be sensitive to MSW (toothbrush/hair straightener/...). Many items can be powered from 12V but you may need to buy specific adaptors to do that whereas as 240V source will be universal.

 

[MisterB]

Really,
including the Sky+HD?

the pace sky boxes are 12v but only have one sat dish feed, so wont do sky+

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[funflair]

I have an old 12v Pace Sky box, what is it worth?

Martin

 

[Silver-Fox]

I have an old 12v Pace Sky box, what is it worth?

Martin

2 and 6p ?

 

[funflair]

2 and 6p ?

When can you collect it, or does 2 and 6p include delivery

Martin

 

[MisterB]

ive seen them go on ebay for £30 +++ !!

so i reckon they must be of some use ....

 

[Silver-Fox]

When can you collect it, or does 2 and 6p include delivery

Martin

Ohh that’s delivered.

Im happy with secound class to save a penny or two ?

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[autorouter]

Mr Google says the sky box uses 15-25 Watts. So not a massive amount. 1- 2.5 amps..plus add on a percentage for loss in the inverter, maybe 10%.

For that usage, you could get a small 150 watt inverter. It will be OK to plug it into a 12V socket. Anything bigger will require wiring directly to the battery, with a fuse, of course. Another advantage is the no load power drain will be much lower than a 1000 watt inverter, so if you forget to switch it off it won't drain the battery in a day, like some of the big ones do.

 

[Graydo]

For that usage, you could get a small 150 watt inverter. It will be OK to plug it into a 12V socket. Anything bigger will require wiring directly to the battery, with a fuse, of course. Another advantage is the no load power drain will be much lower than a 1000 watt inverter, so if you forget to switch it off it won't drain the battery in a day, like some of the big ones do.

Thanks,
Like the sound of this one.
Will have a look at 150w inverter to plug directly into 12v socket.
Thanks for all the replies.

Graydo

 

[autorouter]

Will have a look at 150w inverter to plug directly into 12v socket.

If you go for this, I'd recommend getting a 'Pure Sine Wave' inverter, not a 'Modified Sine Wave', 'Corrected Sine Wave' or any of the other types. Although they are more expensive, because it's a small inverter the actual price difference is not great. Pure sine wave inverters are best for electronic and smart devices that rely on a nice smooth alternating mains voltage for their operation.

 

[Graydo]

If you go for this, I'd recommend getting a 'Pure Sine Wave' inverter, not a 'Modified Sine Wave', 'Corrected Sine Wave' or any of the other types. Although they are more expensive, because it's a small inverter the actual price difference is not great. Pure sine wave inverters are best for electronic and smart devices that rely on a nice smooth alternating mains voltage for their operation.

Can you recommend any 150w psw models.
Was looking at the ring inverter but it doesn't seem to mention psw.
Also confused by "continuous power hours"
What's all that about?
Will it explode after 4 hrs?

Graydo

 

[autorouter]

Can you recommend any 150w psw models.
Was looking at the ring inverter but it doesn't seem to mention psw.

I'm not up to date on the market, I got mine from Conrad in Germany in 2012. Pure sine wave is a top selling point - if they don't mention it, or it's in the small print, then it's almost certainly not PSW.

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[tonyidle]

Have a look on the back usually you get the operating voltage.

Ive had old boxes that did.
I’ve not had sky though.

All the Sky boxes are directly connected to mains - no separate PSU. Unlike almost everything else TV related .

 

[Graydo]

I'm not up to date on the market, I got mine from Conrad in Germany in 2012. Pure sine wave is a top selling point - if they don't mention it, or it's in the small print, then it's almost certainly not PSW.

Thanks,
Yeah, thought as much.
If I have to go digging for that info, it probably isn't.

Graydo

 

[Graydo]

Found this on Amazon.
Amazon product ASIN B076P9PGX3
Psw, small, 12v socket.
More power than I probably need for Skybox but a pretty unobtrusive unit which can be removed easily when not needed .
Before I pull the trigger can anybody see any obvious drawbacks?

Graydo

 

[Richard n Ann]

This is our little one ?



Top quality small size and just 0.2 amp consumption no load.
Swiss made ??

 

[Graydo]

This is our little one ?



Top quality small size and just 0.2 amp consumption no load.
Swiss made ??

Thanks,
Will take a look, does it plug directly into cigarette 12 v lighter socket?

Graham

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