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91 GV TV power question

I was looking at the original TVs in my coach they are 12 volt.In my kitchen there is an inverter  switch for the microwave or the ice maker or an outlet for a blender This is the only 115 outlet I have found that is powered when just using the batteries. If I was to change out my TVs in the future and want the ability to use them running off the house batteries when dry camping what would I need to do? Install small seperate inverters for each one or somehow run 115 volt to each area for a power source or use 12 volt TV s again.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: 91 GV TV power question

Reply #1 –
Have seen many posts here where members use small individual inverters for each device.  This seems to work well, is simple to install, and gives you the option to use either 115 or 12 volt as needed.  Plus small inverters draw very little (or zero) power when not being used, and they are cheap.  Just size them as required to meet the demand.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Surely, no age has been more fraught with insecurity than our own present time."

Re: 91 GV TV power question

Reply #2 –
Another alternative is to run an "extension" from the microwave area to the TV area.  The upper roof beam makes the pretty easy.  Look outboard in the overhead cabinets.  Ply out one of the plastic "vent" plugs.  That area is open all the way to the front of the coach. Makes it pretty easy to run a good quality extension cord wired to a 120 VDC outlet up front.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: 91 GV TV power question

Reply #3 –
Stump,
I have the identical coach to yours.  There's something wrong with your inverter system.  The inverter (assuming a prior owner didn't change things) should power everything on circuit 1 and circuit 5 when it's switch to the non-microwave position.  Circuit numbers refer to the breakers under the bed which should be labeled with the number.  1 and 5 should power all your outlets - including the VCR outlet which is right behind the VCR which is where I have my upgraded 120VAC TV plugged into.  Under the bed there are two relay boxes that switch the power from shore to inverter.  Each box has two relays. One box uses only one relay to switch circuit 1 and other relay is unused. The other box uses both relays to switch circuit 2 (microwave) and 5.  I would guess the problem is one of these relays might be bad - it's happened to others on the forum.  Good news is the other box has a spare relay you can replace it with.  I'm not sure how comfortable you are with AC wiring but others have just sanded the contacts (with all power disconnected) on the relays without disconnecting any wiring - not the most robust fix but will work for a while. 
The only puzzling thing is the VCR, blender and ice maker are all on the same circuit (5) so power to one should mean there will be power to all.  Your black owners manual has a couple of pages that detail all this.
Hope this helps.  Ask more questions if all I did was just confused you.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: 91 GV TV power question

Reply #4 –
Quote from: JohnFitz –
Stump,
I have the identical coach to yours.  There's something wrong with your inverter system.  The inverter (assuming a prior owner didn't change things) should power everything on circuit 1 and circuit 5 when it's switch to the non-microwave position.  Circuit numbers refer to the breakers under the bed which should be labeled with the number.  1 and 5 should power all your outlets - including the VCR outlet which is right behind the VCR which is where I have my upgraded 120VAC TV plugged into.  Under the bed there are two relay boxes that switch the power from shore to inverter.  Each box has two relays. One box uses only one relay to switch circuit 1 and other relay is unused. The other box uses both relays to switch circuit 2 (microwave) and 5.  I would guess the problem is one of these relays might be bad - it's happened to others on the forum.  Good news is the other box has a spare relay you can replace it with.  I'm not sure how comfortable you are with AC wiring but others have just sanded the contacts (with all power disconnected) on the relays without disconnecting any wiring - not the most robust fix but will work for a while. 
The only puzzling thing is the VCR, blender and ice maker are all on the same circuit (5) so power to one should mean there will be power to all.  Your black owners manual has a couple of pages that detail all this.
Hope this helps.  Ask more questions if all I did was just confused you.
Thanks John I didn't realize that  the outlets were also powered I thought that switch in the kitchen was for intermittent use.I fully understand wiring diagrams, I was a HVAC contractor and a service tech for 10 years before I made a midlife career change.Ill try and find more time to read my manuals before I ask!lol my wife  says just like  a man read the instructions after the project is done!! Many Thanks.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit
 

Re: 91 GV TV power question

Reply #5 –
Those relays in the box under the bed are available on line thru "all electronics.com".  I got one thru them to replace a bad one.  You just need the number from it, and they are not that easy to get out.  You need to remove the mounting screws and turn the box over to get to the relay screws.  Seems like I had to remove a terminal block also.  In any event, have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'