I am considering putting a power inverter on my boat. It doesn't have shore power. Has anyone done this and if so, how well did it work? Looking at getting a 13" flat screen tv/dvd player to use on the boat.

I've used them in car for laptop, vcr and TV--no problem. Just make sure you get one large enough to meeet power requirements. West Marine has them and I think theyare on sale now, in fact. Figure required wattage and "git 'r done".

For a really neat installation get the DVD/TV/MP3 head unit;
http://www.mp3playerstore.com/stuff_.../dvd/FD-16.htm
and then hook it into a nice monitor;
http://www.mp3playerstore.com/stuff_...ial/IN-121.htm

That is a great arrangement for head unit---I went a little different route--I got a 17" Flat Panel lPC Monitor/TV Combination for the TV (it had a built in tuner) and a 12v DVD Player and 12V VHS. I liked the monitor because I could hook my laptop up to it when I needed to use my navigation software.

If I were doing it again I'd go with the same monitor but the head unit instead of all the seperate components.

I got a VESA bracket and my monitor will swing up so I can get to the cabinet in back of the monitor.

i gone with a flat screen 13 pyle with a VHS/DVD. which was all 12VDC ready. on my last boat sold it, have a Dell D-800
Laptop with a 70 dollar usb TV module works great. it has its own 12v inverter cost alot less and i can move it any where on the boat. plus I have alot of mp3's i play thur the stero with a wireless antinuia. my lap top is also my gps navagation which i use in the truck when not boating.
Thanks Bill

We put on our boat,1500watt, Reba loves it she can use the blender when not at the docks. It also can run the little dirt devil vaccum and her curling iron, cell phone chargers. We use it all the time.

Costco has a 1500 watt inverter for $89.00 will work for what you need.

As far as the TV/DVD combo Best Buy & Circuit City both have a 12'' Flat screen that is run on 12volt and 120v you can install a cigarette plug in the cabin and will work great.

I run a 1200watt Coleman Powermate. Be sure to run BIG cables from the battery to the inverter. Very happy with mine!

Thanks for all the responses. I am very technically challanged, but I catch on pretty quick.

Looking at the FD-16 head unit. That takes the place of my existing cd player, correct? Is that a good unit? As far as the monitor, I don't want one that needs to be mounted to the boat. It isn't going to be a permanent fixture on the boat.

James, your inverter is hard wired or clips? How hard is he inverter on the battery.

Someone mentioned a 12v vcr. Where would that be found?


Thanks for the help.........

I found my 12V vcr and DVD on eBay. I would bet that Crutchfield ahs them as well. Not only are they 12V, the form-factor is really well suited for boat because the're about the size of the in-dash head unit.

I mounted mine in a cabinet above the refrigerator with industrial strength velcro. The mouning is "bullet-proof" and it let me avoid any drilling and was quick and wasy.

Look at all the soccer moms riding around with videos playing for the kids, Best buy, Circuit City, etc. all have tv/ vcr/ dvd's that run off 12V for vehicles.
I helped a friend wire an inverter in his cruiser last summer and it's not hard. He does think he has some sort of power leak that is getting out via the outdrive though. You will want to isolate the inverter when it's not in use.