Club 80-90 Forums

I'm going to fit a mini projector and screen in our van to give big screen movie or PS2 action on longer journeys

Now I know there are 12v versions about, but they generally seem to be a bit older, a bit dimmer and have poorer reviews than some of the current crop. My plan therefore is to go for one of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Projector-GooD ... +projector
Only issue is that my school physics is all a bit hazy now, so my question is with a power draw of 50W at 240V, do I just need a 50W inverter to power it? I know this is a pretty inefficient way to go about it, but the specs of the projector make it worthwhile - and I could run it from hook-up too.
Would I be better with a slightly bigger output inverter - or any recommendations on specific models/ brands? How much of a drain on my leisure battery am I looking at?
All thoughts appreciated!

To run a 50W device I'd be looking at a 100W inverter, always best to over spec stuff like that to improve it's life.
The device will still only draw 50W from a 100W inverter.

50W would draw about 4 amps from your leisure battery but inverters are only about 80% efficient so it'll probably take more like 5A.
Plus whatever your PS2 draws, probably about 6A if you use an in car adapter.

Hope that helps.

You need to over rate the invertor because of inrush current.
I'm not sure there is a rule of thumb as to how much
even small devices can demand say 20A mains for very short duration ( microseconds) at switch on, this van cause an invertor to cut out.

Go large

We use a pocket projector for presentations at work - its amazing how good it is for the size. Check those out before paying for something overkill.

Some great LED projectors about now as well.

CovKid wrote:We use a pocket projector for presentations at work - its amazing how good it is for the size. Check those out before paying for something overkill.

Yeah, I've been looking at those too. Seem to be mixed reviews on the Philips ones and much lower Lumens ratings - although I may be missing something there. They also seem to run on 12v - or at least charge via 12v. What model do you use?
We've got all round silver screens and blackout lined curtains, so pretty sure I can get the van dark enough for these lower output LED devices, so if anyone has experience of any particular models I'm all ears!

Picked up a Philips Pico projector for a bargain price on Ebay! Well, cheap enough to risk having a go with it...
First impressions are good, hopefully have the screen installed in the van today - new thread ahoy!

Should work fine. If its too light outside, no reason not to go out, and if its raining, well, theres always snakes & ladders

Camping Theatre

Might as well not go camping. Stay in the warm

Blimey, should you really be watching that sort of thing in view of everyone?

Timwhy wrote:Camping Theatre

Brilliant!

Don't be tempted to go for too much headroom in terms of watts as the quiescent current drain (current drain to be added to the load current) will almost certainly be higher for the more powerful invertor and will drain your leisure battery more quickly. I get on quite well with the Maplin invertors and use a 100W in the van for low power fluorescents and mobile charging where no hook up is available. incidentally I have run PC's and tech equipment on these without problems but it would be wise to check as some may not be suitable for certain electronic kit.
CS