Running a TV Using Solar Panels

[Move-On-uP]

Are any of you guys running a TV using roof solar panels?

I tried running mine but it's now working so well. Seems to be draining the batteries very quickly. The TV is a Samsung 32” T5300 HD HDR Smart TV. Can;t find any info on watts. But it has an energy rating of 'F'. The solar set up is working fine. It runs the interior lights and charges our elecrtonic devices without any problems.

Help
:bow:

 

[phantomjock]

SAM -

This from Amazon's BOT (US varient);

The product information shows this TV has 10 watts of speaker output power and averages around 40 watts of power consumption. A customer review also mentions it draws 19 watts, which is low for RV use.

The SPECS show 65 Watts listed as power requirement. But it does require 110V (again US). The UK Amazon has a number of these inverters. I guess you are running through an inverter - not directly from solar.

Let me offer a few educated guesses about your situation. I'll use my 3C's to try and explain what I would look at.

1. Consumption. Inverters have an efficiency rating. Could be as low as 85%. That suggests you'd probably need a 100 Watt inverter just for the Smart TV. Inverters create heat (inefficiency) and may be powering other devices simultaneously. A large inverter and additional "users" could explain the power consumption. If you have access to a smaller inverter and ran it from your solar array/charging system to the TV only, perhaps might have better luck. Something to consider. [I see some on the UK A>Z, but you'd want to bypass the battery operated cigarette lighter if it is wired to the battery bank to test.]


2. Charging. Solar panels have an efficiency rating as well as a number of factors regarding installation that can cause reduced output; cooling, age, mounting, connections, etc.. These issues could explain reduced charging. I understand you are trying to run an inverter from the solar panels, which can be done. But to keep from discharging the battery, there needs to be sufficient capacity in the solar array to account for these inefficiencies. The panels charging the electronic devices and running interior lights would be 12 sources - yes? Are these wired directly to the solar charging system?


3. Capacity. If the charging output is less than the consumption, then the battery bank will be used to run the TV. I am assuming the wiring is from solar to battery to TV (inverter, etc.) until it is depeleted. Age, size and type of battery bank can be factors to review.​

For over 30 years we had solar panels on our sailboat. The only shading we ever experienced was cloud cover, sail shadow, or when in storage/maintenance "on the hard." In our RT we now seek shade, and have chosen to forgo the addition of solar to our rig. Its addition would slightly increase weight and drag (increasing fuel consumption). And, when underway, the large alternator obviates any additonal charging solar panels could provide.

I've tried to give a broad overview/simple breakdown for you to consider when trouble shooting. Best of luck.

BTW - Photos and diagrams of the setup help, and are always appreciated!
Cheers - Jim

 

[GeorgeRad]

https://www.samsung.com/africa_en/tvs/full-hd-tv/t5300-32-inch-full-hd-smart-tv-ua32t5300auxly/ - 59W Max. I have 300W solar panels, 230 Ah 12V batteries, 100W LG projector and it works just fine. Knowing your numbers as mine above should give you a clue.

 

[Move-On-uP]

Hi Jim

Thanks for taking the time to explain this in simple terms and for digging out the info, and power consumption stats. Yes, we are using a leisure battery and power inverter.

I’ll take a closer look at the inverter. Could be an issue there as you have pointed out. May be stressing out the unit by runninglights and tv at the same time. As for the solar panels. Not sure what you mean by 12 sources. The panels are wired to a control unit that regulates the charging. This then runs to the leisure battery. I think this is a pretty standard setup for an rv solar power system.

I’ve been reading up on using solar energy to run a tv and it is absolutely possible to so. Simple article on it over here - running tv using rv solar panels. It looks like there may be a weakness on our system, as you’ve explained. Either the inverter is not fit for purpose and not generating enough AC power. Or, the panels themselves are yielding an unusually low output and not delivering sufficient charge to the battery.

 

[blinca]

You need to look at the type and size of inverter you are using to power your tv. If it’s a large inverter or a modified sine one (not a pure sine one), then the inverter could be a power hog. You’ll need to look up the power specs for the inverter. Just to have the inverter on and not doing anything (like on idle), it will take power. How much depends on the type and size of the inverter. Add the tv as a load onto that and it sounds like both are consuming more power than you’re making.
Also, just to clarify, solar panels don’t run anything. They just charge your batteries. It’s the batteries that have the power stored to run items. If your tv is not 12V, you’re not running it off the batteries directly. Any change from DC to AC and back again will have losses and cause inefficiencies. The less translating back and forth you do, the less power you’ll consume. All electronics are DC inside, so you’re going from DC to AC (inverter), then back to DC again with the power brick on the cord or the inside electronics of the tv. A 12V tv would be your most efficient.
You also need to make sure your electrical system is balanced. Meaning the size and quantity of solar panels to the size of your battery bank need to be balanced. Too much solar and you’ve got no place to store it is a waste. Too much battery and not enough solar means you’ll not be able to generate enough electricity to replenish faster than you’re using it.
To simplify it further, it’s like your bank account. If you spend more than you make, you’ll pretty soon run out of money.
Anyways, I hope that helps you figure out what’s going on.

 

[ChicagoTom]

My solar charging goes right to the house battery. I unplugged the TV from the inverter and it is plugged into my 500 watt solar generator. The solar generator is plugged into my TV inverter, so it's basically fed from the solar. I did upgrade to the Wagan 400 watt inverter. Wagan EL2610 Gray 400W Pro Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter. My stock Samsung TV runs off the solar for about 3 hours. That's more than I need, and then the next day the solar generator gets charged again. I do have to remember to unplug the inverter feed charging the solar while watching TV or it will suck power from the house battery.
My all weather controller is located under the awning. No drilling to feed the system, and the flex solar panels are self adhesive. See photo

 

[Winston-ClassB]

Are any of you guys running a TV using roof solar panels?

It would be helpful to know the capacity and chemistry of your house battery.

But beyond that, do you have a shunt-based battery monitor? Such an instrument - - neither expensive nor difficult to install - - would provide all the information necessary to diagnose and solve your problem and, in our opinion, should be a part of every RV electrical installation. Without it (and pardon our pun), you are operating 'in the dark'.

 

[phantomjock]

My solar charging goes right to the house battery. I unplugged the TV from the inverter and it is plugged into my 500 watt solar generator. The solar generator is plugged into my TV inverter, so it's basically fed from the solar.

My stock Samsung TV runs off the solar for about 3 hours.That's more than I need, and then the next day the solar generator gets charged again.

I think you are referring to a Solar Generator as:

A solar generator is a compact portable electric power station with a built-in battery bank that stores power generated by solar panels (or another source) and outputs that power on demand through integrated ports and outlets.​

So, you are charging the Solar Generator battery from the sun, and using the Solar Generator battery to run the Solar Generator inverter, to watch TV. If the solar chargiing is limnited by cloud cover, you can watch TV until the battery in the Solar Charger runs out. Yes, the battery in the Solar Charger is Charged (fed) from Solar, but it is the battery that runs the inverter.

This may seem like a small point - but I interpert the OP wanted to know how to Run his TV from Solar Panels. The available output and area available to create a suitible array i wager is such he'd be limited to a solution that involves Battery/Inverter combination like your 500 Watt Solar Generator.

To simplify, the Solar Generator can be viewed as a "Black Box." The input is Solar, the output is (hopefully) sufficent voltage (wattage) to run the TV. The Solar Generator is the same as a typical solar setup, and the the solar panels are just charging the battery bank. The Battery Bank is running the inverter, the inverter the chosen loads. The advantage to the Battery Bank "in the loop," it provides stabillity and reserve power.

A parallel example would be; "How can I run my Microwave on my Alternator?" Again the charging source --Alternator provides excess capacity to the Battery/Inverter combination to run the microwave. (Assuming the Inverter has the Capacity to run the Microwave -many don't!)

Perhaps, long and over-simplified, but I believe a necessary clarification.

Cheers - Jim