Tailgating Advice

RamblinPeck

RamblinPeck

Jolly Good Fellow
Joined
Dec 7, 2003
Messages
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Looking to get a tv and directv receiver setup for my tailgate, and probably a little box fan running low to keep the electronices a little cooler for the september games. Being a youngin' I'm going to defer to some of you guys with more experience for some advice on setup.

I know I'm going to need a marine deep cycle battery, and an inverter of some sort. So I'm looking for any advice on brands, how many amps-hours I should be looking for, etc.

Thanks guys,
 
Forget the marine deep cycle battery! Get a good Group 31 truck battery. It's a little larger than a regular marine battery but has more old cranking amps, will last longer and hold a charge better. Generally, it will also have a much better warranty period as a marine battery is warranted for only 12 months. I have one that's lasted five years and still works in a pinch to jump start a car now and then.
 
I have a couple of Xantrex PowerPack 1500's. They are basically a battery, converter, cooling fan, and charger all in one box. They are quiet and do fine for what we need.

The package says it will run a TV 4 hours, but mine will run a TV for half a day - meaning Dtv box plus the TV - but I do have an energy saving flat screen.

I also use a blender in addition to that and one is usually all we use.

The fan - I have a Ryobi tool set that has the cordless drill, saws, and all that crap that run on the same battery packs. I just bought a couple pf extra batteries and a couple of fans that run on them at Home Depot (maybe Lowes). They work fine also.

The tv - got Dtv and bought the dish and satellite box seperately. If you get them with the subscription - you are locked in for a certain bit of time. If you buy them seperately, you can come and go as a customer all you want. I turn on my service 4 months a year, and ditch it the rest.

You are welcome to come see my set up at AMC any time. It may not help, but you could at least see what we do and don't and what you might change.

AFR has the best, IMHO, but I'm not in the RV tax bracket yet.
 
BTW - I would specifically look for low wattage, voltage, ampage anything you want for electronics.

The new buzz words are all the low drain stuff, so it's easy to find if you look, and not usually more expensive.

I also wouldn't try to get a great picture for a TV. Do that at your house. For a tailgate, just get any type of picture and you're doing better than most.

And don't forget the rabbit ears. There are times Dtv doesn't get what you want and you can get a local sojmething or other on the antennae.
 
Crazy4tech said:
Find a friend with a generator, its much easier.
Click to expand...

Also much noisier and more expensive. Thanks for the advice though.

Techfowl: I may try to drop in and see your setup. Not sure you remember, but you hooked me up with tickets for clemson a couple years back and I saw it then, but could use a refresher.
 
I remembered - didn't know if you did.

I even remember which drink you made. If only I could remember things that make me money instead...

The door is always open. Stop any time for any reason.

I'll be in AMC on the campus side on the parking lot exit road. Look for multiple tents and the dog. He's usually there. Yellow lab and an F-150 that's GT gold.
 
Actually, Honda has a small generator now that is about the size of a 1 gallon gas container. Its very quite and has good power, great for tailgating. However, since my buddy owns it I have no idea how much is cost (I assume b/c its new its not cheap).
 
Crazy4tech said:
Actually, Honda has a small generator now that is about the size of a 1 gallon gas container. Its very quite and has good power, great for tailgating. However, since my buddy owns it I have no idea how much is cost (I assume b/c its new its not cheap).
Click to expand...

The issue for RP and the rest of our crew is "gas" and noise.

Since you're already paying for power at home, might as well use a rechargeable battery.

Hey, we're all about "sustainability" and I've tailgated with far too many obnoxious generator people here in Gville.
 
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