Tailgating power source? Post what you're using...

[hancox]

Guys -

I'm looking to add TV to my tailgate this fall. I'd like an idea of what people are using for power.

• Gas-powered generator?
• Battery-powered generator?
• Extra Car Battery with inverter?
• Car Battery via DC connector?
• Other?

I have a MAXIMUM 4-5 hour tailgate window, as UConn opens their stadium very late (it has to do with close-by private land). I'm tempted, as it's cheap, to get a good inverter, and run it off of DC. What do you guys think?

 

[Matt9876]

I use a 600 watt 12VDC to 120AC inverter and a second 12 volt truck battery,all connected to the trucks main electrical system and fused at 30 amps.

 

[hancox]

Thanks for the response, Matt. I'll likely have a similar hack-a-thon setup to you (original 3 LNB dish with a 5-LNB on it, as my only spare 3 is a SWM LNB, and I don't want to have to have the PI, if I can get away with it).

What are you powering, and for how long? I'm also assuming you're hard-wired into the truck's system for charging only, right?

 

[HDinCincy]

Thanks for the response, Matt. I'll likely have a similar hack-a-thon setup to you (original 3 LNB dish with a 5-LNB on it, as my only spare 3 is a SWM LNB, and I don't want to have to have the PI, if I can get away with it).

What are you powering, and for how long? I'm also assuming you're hard-wired into the truck's system for charging only, right?

Hi... the spot I park in (believe it or not) has AC available for a price.. which I gladly pay. BUT I have seen many, many small Honda generators that are amazingly quiet. They are pricey but really nice. I believe they're about $500. I cannot speak to the inverter idea. I know the times I've taken my rig to AC challenged areas, my 300 watt inverter has line noise. Could be a cheap one. Good Luck... it will be fun!

 

[Ronnie-]

I use an inverter myself.

I generally do not take a spare battery, I just crank my truck every 30-45 minutes and let it recharge. Been doing it for years now.

I was looking at one of those quite honda generators for this season, but damn they are high for the output.

I do not think our tailgate neighbors would like for me to take the porter cable gen I have now. lol, loud!

We do have a big gen that we ran one of our sawmills on. I guess I could take it and supply EVERYONE there with power

 

[hancox]

msmith - you also have a truck, where you could likely take the battery out with a butterknife and one arm, if it broke on you.

I have a Saab with a V6 shoehorned in there - it's not fun.

 

[Ronnie-]

msmith - you also have a truck, where you could likely take the battery out with a butterknife and one arm, if it broke on you.

I have a Saab with a V6 shoehorned in there - it's not fun.

Actually, this new one darn near requires that you dismantle the entire front end to get the battery out. It is a pain.

In the past they were on the front drivers side of the truck. Now they are on the rear passenger side of the hood with three support arms right over it, you can hardly jump it off without taking things off. Whoever designed this is an idiot!!!!!!

 

[hancox]

hmmm - interested - so, how did you hard-wire the 2nd one in?