Thanks, Dennis. I use my laptop for photography and treat it gingerly
after having had it break twice while in the field. It stays stowed
unless I need it. Our Philips standalone portable DVD player is less
dear, so if it breaks it won't break my heart at the same time. Plus,
we're looking for a standalone monitor we can place above the poptop
latch when the top is up.

I also noticed that my laptop draws about 50% more current from the
battery than the DVD player. I have no idea what 12-v LCDs wants,
powerwise . . . hmm, let's look at the sticker on my home ViewSonic
VP720b monitor: 1.2A @ 120VAC. That's 1.2 X 120V = 144 watts.

Using the handy-dandy online Battery Demand Calculator at
http://www.altavistaaudio.com/Westy/Vanagon/battcalc.html we find that
with an 80% efficient inverter, a 2-hour movie will require 32
Ampere-hours from a battery. If inverter inefficiency is removed from
the setup by finding a 12V monitor with similar power requirements, the
24Ah would be needed for the same film.

I reckon we'd pull out the big monitor only if we could be assured of
adequate charging the next day.

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR

dhaynes@optonline.net typed:
> I find the best option to be a large screen laptop. Does a whole bunch
> of stuff in one package including the the DVD player. Robust and
> compact. Sitting on the top of the stove cabinet makes great viewing
> from the rear seat or chairs outside the sliding door. If getting a new
> one, look for one with the tuner card built in. Works better than the
> USB add ons. Some of the new laptops are very efficient. My son's HP
> Laptop will go 6 hours on its own battery. My older Toshiba doesn't go 2.
>
> Dennis
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Michael Elliott
> Date: Saturday, March 3, 2007 10:59 am
> Subject: 12-volt LCD monitors for DVD?
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>  > Mrs Squirrel and I often enjoy the watching of a film while
>  > camping. Her
>  > tastes are in the rom-com vein, while I can be tempted by an
>  > indy film.
>  > Somehow we manage to find something to rent that we both like. Our
>  > little portable DVD player has a similarly little screen and we were
>  > wondering if there are standalone 12-volt LCD monitors -- not
>  > televisions -- in 16:9 17'' or so size.
>  >
>  >
>  > --
>  > Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
>  > 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
>  > 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
>  > 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
>  > KG6RCR
>  >