psmoore
Illinois
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Joined: 07/05/2007
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We have a 31 foot Minnie Winnie... Was wondering do I have to have the generator on for my kids to watch a DVD while driving? I might be missing something but not sure.
If I do need the generator, can my wife start it while I'm driving or do I need to pull over to start it?
Thanks for helping with my ignorance!! I did try the internal batteries and they didn't power the tv, etc.
Paul and Susan - 4 kids
2001 Winnebago Winnie Minnie 31C
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Dr. Dana
Papillion, Nebraska
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Joined: 04/12/2008
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We're new at the RV lifestyle, too. We have a 31' Gulfstream BT Cruiser and we have to have our generator running in order to run our TV/DVD. I thought that was a little strange, too, but that's how our vehicle works. Perhaps I'm missing something, too.
I've started up the generator while the vehicle was already running. Don't know if this is the correct protocol, but nothing blew up...consider that a success.
Have fun!!
-Carmen
Carmen Dana
2008 Gulfstream BT Cruiser
Model 5316
31'
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sch911
Rochester Hills, MI
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Joined: 04/13/2003
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If your rig has an Inverter that's what you could use to provide the TV & DVD player with the 120V it needs. SInce I don't have an inverter in my MH, and I don't want to waste gas on the genset for the TV, I bought the kids a small portable DVD player with 10" screen that runs on 12V.
2003 Damon Challenger 348 Class A - Triton V10
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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There is no reason you can't run your generator while driving. An inverter would certainly be more economical though. Lots of folks find it necessary to run the roof AC in order to cool the MH while driving in hot weather than THAT means running the generator for that also. Much too much power needed for an inverter to handle.
2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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Bobbo
Memphis, TN
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Joined: 09/16/2007
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Your Minnie Winnie SHOULD have an inverter to power the televisions and DVD players.
Bobbo, Linda and the furry kid (German Shepherd)
'07 Winnebago Outlook 31C on a Ford E450 Super Duty Chassis
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Cool Mike
Mendocino. Calif.
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If you dont have an Inverter you can get a 400 Watt unit for less than $50. at most auto parts stores.
And it will run a TV and a DVD at the same time off the coach battery, and the trucks engine alternator will supply the power to run the inverter, plus keep the batteries charged.
If you need more 120V AC power than 400 watts, you will need to start the generator, and you can start it anytime, parked or driving, but start the generator and let it warm up a bit, 1 to 2 min before you put a large load on it like the roof AC or microwave.
And turn off your 400 watt inverter when not in use.
2001 27' Four Winds Class-C E-450 V-10.
Buick Park Ave Ultra, Ford Ranger PU, JD 500 backhoe.
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dcowley
Texas Panhandle
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psmoore wrote:We have a 31 foot Minnie Winnie... Was wondering do I have to have the generator on for my kids to watch a DVD while driving? I might be missing something but not sure.
If I do need the generator, can my wife start it while I'm driving or do I need to pull over to start it?
Thanks for helping with my ignorance!! I did try the internal batteries and they didn't power the tv, etc.
I owned a 2003 31 foot Minnie Winnie and the generator has to be going to power the TV/DVD system. There is no inverter. Starting the generator while going down the road is very common. I carry lots of kids so we needed A/C, TV,, the whole deal.
My 5th grader was very good at starting the generator, cranking on the A/C, microwaving some popcorn (for the movie) while going down the road.... I also taught my kids to turn the A/C off before stopping the generator and to turn off the water pump after using the restroom.
I always kept that rear view mirror aimed at my control panel and had to remind them about turning things off when not using it i.e. generator when not needed and water pump... ( many years ago I busted a water line while going down the road and had no fresh water at destination, so now the water pump is always off when not in use)
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dmatt
Ventura County, CA
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Joined: 07/29/2003
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Simple way to find out if you have an inverter is to turn on the TV/DVD player with the genny off. If it won't come on then you probably don't have an inverter.
Our front TV has a red light that is on when the battery is connected. I can turn the TV on wihout running the generator, so I have an inverter. When I hit the battery disconnect, the red light on the TV goes off.
2007 Four Winds Dutchmen 29R-Ford E-450 V-10 towing a 2008 Toyota Matrix XR
2007 Toyota 4Runner(V-8) towing a 2006 Reinell 220LSE, 5.0L, 280hp GXI
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rvndogs
CT
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Joined: 02/10/2007
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Dr. Dana wrote:We're new at the RV lifestyle, too. We have a 31' Gulfstream BT Cruiser and we have to have our generator running in order to run our TV/DVD. I thought that was a little strange, too, but that's how our vehicle works. Perhaps I'm missing something, too.
I've started up the generator while the vehicle was already running. Don't know if this is the correct protocol, but nothing blew up...consider that a success.
Have fun!!
-Carmen
We have a cruiser also. Purchased a 2500 inverter and switched over to 4 6v batteries. Best add-on investment. We love the ability to run coffee machine, tv, etc without having to run the generator while boondocking/dry camping. So far we have run the TV a total of 16 hours and still had 50% battery capacity and had coffee on for total of 3 hours. Testing to see whats our boondocking capacity is before we have to recharge.
Inverter all the way...
rvndogs
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Wheel Estate
Emery, S.D.
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there is one other issue that should be addressed, the TV will PROBABLY have a cut off switch for driving. It is a common item that I think must be a safety law. If a TV works without your electric cord plugged in until you turn the key on, it could be the reason you can't run the TV going down the highway. It is USALLY a relay right at the TV plug.
Rick & MaryAnn
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