Does anyone use the powapacs tv? Just after some feedback.....I normally use my iPad and a freeview thingy but I'm wondering if the tv is less power hungry?
Also....is the 60w solar panel worth the extra?
Cheers
Also....is the 60w solar panel worth the extra?
Cheers
In reply to Post #1
I bought one for winter, and using the extra optional powered Ariel they sell, I haven't struggled for a picture, Cambs area. The inbuilt battery Inside the TV I probably get 2hrs, then I just switch too my vault through the 12volt cigarette adapter. Which i think would run for quite a few hours. Can't say how long.
I bought one for winter, and using the extra optional powered Ariel they sell, I haven't struggled for a picture, Cambs area. The inbuilt battery Inside the TV I probably get 2hrs, then I just switch too my vault through the 12volt cigarette adapter. Which i think would run for quite a few hours. Can't say how long.
In reply to Post #1
Might depend a bit on what IPad you have, but my apple uses about 3W and runs for about 8 to 10 hours on its internal battery.
Just had a look at the tv spec and it say under 20W. Probably not much under 20, otherwise they would have said.
Looks like the tv uses about 6 times the power needed for an apple iPad.
Might depend a bit on what IPad you have, but my apple uses about 3W and runs for about 8 to 10 hours on its internal battery.
Just had a look at the tv spec and it say under 20W. Probably not much under 20, otherwise they would have said.
Looks like the tv uses about 6 times the power needed for an apple iPad.
In reply to Post #3
It's an iPad air2 that I mainly take fishing, might be better off sticking with that then.
Have you got any experience with the solar panels?
It's an iPad air2 that I mainly take fishing, might be better off sticking with that then.
Have you got any experience with the solar panels?
In reply to Post #4
My solar panel experience is only of larger units but the same principles would apply.
Panels do vary a bit but generally you will need high sunlight intensity ( spring and summer) and a good panel angle ( 90 deg to the sun) to achieve rated output. Also cleanliness and the panel age will also have a small but significant effect.
I'm a big fan of solar panels but just remember that the rated output will rarely be achieved, so if you can, go bigger than you think you might need.
My solar panel experience is only of larger units but the same principles would apply.
Panels do vary a bit but generally you will need high sunlight intensity ( spring and summer) and a good panel angle ( 90 deg to the sun) to achieve rated output. Also cleanliness and the panel age will also have a small but significant effect.
I'm a big fan of solar panels but just remember that the rated output will rarely be achieved, so if you can, go bigger than you think you might need.
In reply to Post #5
Cheers, just looking a the RidgeMonkey panel vs the small powapacs version there's 20w difference, to be honest I'm struggling to get my head round watts, mah etc as it is
Cheers, just looking a the RidgeMonkey panel vs the small powapacs version there's 20w difference, to be honest I'm struggling to get my head round watts, mah etc as it is
In reply to Post #6
If you do any calculations it's easiest to work in W h
In my opinion m ah is nothing more than marketing hype to make the power packs seem bigger.
Divide m ah by 1000 to get Amp h then multiply by specified voltage to give you capacity in Whrs
Without knowing specifics it's difficult to advise but hopefully a sample calculation might help.
To make an educated guess we would need to know the following.
What capacity power pac you have. Perhaps 240Wh?
Usage time per day and power needed for items such as iPad. Phone ,light etc
iPad 10hrs @ 3W so 30Wh /day
Phone charger typically 5Wh / day
Light 5W for say 6 hrs / day so 30Wh/ day
Total energy required would be 65Wh/ day so your 240Wh power pack
would be empty in 3.6 days.
A 40 W panel might only produce 5 W for say 3 hours in weak winter sunlight so 15Wh produced in winter
Giving you a shortfall of 50Wh.
Your 240Wh power pack would then last 240 divided by 50 so 4.8 days
The same 40W panel might produce 30W for 5 hours in summer so 150Wh which would more than cover your 65Wh usage
Hopefully that might help but PM me if you wish.
If you do any calculations it's easiest to work in W h
In my opinion m ah is nothing more than marketing hype to make the power packs seem bigger.
Divide m ah by 1000 to get Amp h then multiply by specified voltage to give you capacity in Whrs
Without knowing specifics it's difficult to advise but hopefully a sample calculation might help.
To make an educated guess we would need to know the following.
What capacity power pac you have. Perhaps 240Wh?
Usage time per day and power needed for items such as iPad. Phone ,light etc
iPad 10hrs @ 3W so 30Wh /day
Phone charger typically 5Wh / day
Light 5W for say 6 hrs / day so 30Wh/ day
Total energy required would be 65Wh/ day so your 240Wh power pack
would be empty in 3.6 days.
A 40 W panel might only produce 5 W for say 3 hours in weak winter sunlight so 15Wh produced in winter
Giving you a shortfall of 50Wh.
Your 240Wh power pack would then last 240 divided by 50 so 4.8 days
The same 40W panel might produce 30W for 5 hours in summer so 150Wh which would more than cover your 65Wh usage
Hopefully that might help but PM me if you wish.
In reply to Post #7
Thanks, you may well be getting a PM in the near future 🤔
Thanks, you may well be getting a PM in the near future 🤔