Building a Faunette:
Technology Components
Parts Needed
- TV/VCR Combination Unit
- Deep-Cycle Marine Battery
- Power Inverter
- Deep-Cycle Marine Battery Charger
- Anti-Sun Glare Computer Screen
- Electronic Display Board (optional)
- Computer Speakers or Car Stereo Amplifier with Speakers
- Noise Filter
The following components comprise the technology that allows you to have a mobile video center with a quiet power source. All estimated prices are for brand new purchases and can vary depending on where you live.
1. TV/VCR Combination Unit
The bigger the better! Because the Faunette is heavy, many activists choose to use a 13-inch screen TV. I recommend using the largest screen you can afford. If you use a bigger TV, however, your cabinet must be enlarged and, therefore, will be heavier. But, the larger screens are much more powerful and easier to see from a distance. Some people are afraid to approach activists but will watch from a safe distance.
It’s optimal to use a black or gray TV/VCR combination unit, preferably with stereo sound. However, if you choose to use separate components (rather than a combination unit), keep in mind that the overall weight will be greater. Also, if using a TV and a separate VCR, you’ll need to get a short power strip or outlet splitter to still have an outlet on the inverter for the computer speakers and/or an electronic display board. A remote control is helpful, but not necessary. The TV must have an earphone jack, which most already do. The jack will allow you to plug in earphones.
Flat screen monitors or plasma TVs are a lightweight option. Costco sells a 15-inch flat screen monitor for around $300. You still need a VCR, which adds weight. Since you don’t need to record anything (just playback), a VCP (Video Cassette Player) can be used instead of a VCR. They are smaller, lighter, and cheaper than VCRs.
Where to buy: Electronic retail stores (Best Buy, Circuit City, pawnshop, etc.). Price: $110 to $190 for 13-inch screen.
2. Deep-Cycle Marine Battery
This will provide the electricity for the unit. Purchase a battery with the highest reserve minutes or reserve capacity (RC) rating. This figure is printed on the battery and relates to its power longevity. The minutes rating does not indicate how much Faunette power you will get. A battery with 210 reserve minutes will give you 8 to 12 continuous hours of power before needing to be recharged. If you find a battery with an RC rating in the high 100s, that should be sufficient for Faunette use. Don’t worry about the amp hours or the marine cranking amps or cold cranking amps values on the battery.
Most deep-cycle batteries have an extra set of positive and negative posts on it. Get one with these in case you need to draw power for DC components like a car stereo amplifier.
A lightweight option is to get a gel cell deep-cycle marine battery, relieving your unit of about 12 pounds. Since the battery is sealed, it can be tipped or stored in any position without danger of acid leakage, but be sure not to store the battery on its side for long periods of time.
Where to buy: Auto parts stores, marine supply stores, car battery stores. Price: $65 and up.
3. Power Inverter
Also known as a power converter, this converts the battery’s DC power to AC power (the kind we use in our homes). Read the package to ensure that the inverter can convert 12 volts DC to 110 volts AC. Nearly all of them do, but be sure to ask if you don’t understand.
Get an inverter with two three-pronged outlets on the unit. This allows you to plug two pieces of electronic equipment into it and is rated for such power output. The inverter should have a rating of 300 watt continuous/600 watt high-surge capacity. The technology components together will demand a high watt output. Make sure it has an on/off button and jumper cable clamps to attach to a battery.
Where to buy: Auto parts stores, electronics stores (Radio Shack), car stereo stores, boat/RV supply stores. Price: $65
4. Deep-Cycle Marine Battery Charger
To recharge the deep-cycle battery, you need a charger designed to recharge marine batteries. A 10-amp charger works well. Get one with auto and manual charging options. Auto charging will automatically stop charging the battery when it has reached a full charge, so you won’t have to constantly monitor it.
It is important to fully recharge your battery soon after using it to prolong its full power capacity. A full recharge can take up to 14 hours, with much less time needed for partial recharges. You can recharge the battery at any time, no matter how full or empty it is without adversely affecting “battery memory.”
Where to buy: Auto parts stores, marine supply and boat stores. Price: $40
5. Anti-Sun Glare Computer Screen
This component is necessary so the TV can be viewed during the day. Buy the darkest tint they sell. It’s critical that it be big enough to cover your entire TV screen, but don’t worry if it’s larger than you need. The biggest size available to you will limit the size of the TV set you choose to put in your unit.
Where to buy: Computer hardware supply companies that sell to businesses, local computer stores. Price: $100 and up
6. Electronic Display Board (Optional)
You can electronically program and display any messages you want and have them scroll across the screen. This grabs people’s attention and tells them what the video is about. The light-up display is mounted at the top of the cabinet, and the wiring runs into the interior of the unit. When sound permits or law enforcement prohibits amplified sound, the message board saves the day. It comes with a keyboard to input your message and offers several creative display features.
Where to buy: Search the Internet for “electronic signs.” Sam’s Club (nationwide) sells the cheapest one I know: BetaBrite. It’s a one-line electronic sign with creative options. For more information, visit www.betabrite.com/Pages/betabrite.htm. Price: $170
7. Computer Speakers or Car Stereo Amplifier with Speakers
The sound from your TV may not be able to compete with street noise without some additional amplification. On some larger sets, the speakers do fine on their own. Therefore, using computer speakers and/or a car stereo amplifier with speakers can be optional. Use your judgment whether or not you want louder volume than the set provides.
Computer speakers are amplified speakers (an amplifier and speaker in one). Using these allows you to control the volume using the TV’s remote control. The better quality speakers you buy, the clearer and louder your volume. I would recommend getting quality speakers for this reason. These plug right into your TV earphone jack and are a true no-brainer.
See Section 6 (Amplified Sound Alternative) if you don’t want to use computer speakers.
Where to buy: Computer and electronic retail stores or sound system catalogs. Price: $35 and up
8. Noise Filter
Because an inverter does not provide a perfect electrical ground, the TV will pick up some unwanted sound waves resulting in a “buzz” or “hum.” When you amplify the TV sound, this buzz becomes even louder. To filter out this unwanted noise, install a filter on the audio cable between the TV and the computer speakers. It reduces the noise by half and is absolutely necessary. To further reduce the buzz, you need to ground the TV to the inverter’s ground. To do this, attach an electrical wire between any screw on the inverter’s housing to the outer hull of the coax input on the back of the TV set. A small-gauge copper wire stripped bare on one end with an alligator clip crimped on the other end will make this easy to clip on and off.
Where to buy: Purchase parts at Radio Shack and assemble. See Section 5 (Noise Filter) for instructions.
Connecting the Technology Components
The battery is placed on the bottom of the cabinet because of its weight. Attach the power inverter battery clamps to the battery’s positive (+) and negative (−) posts. Always plug in the positive (+) first. There will be a spark when you connect the negative (−), but this won’t shock you. (Disconnecting is the reverse.) Plug the TV/VCR power cord into the inverter. Plug the computer speakers’ power cord into the inverter. Insert the audio cable (the noise filter) into the computer speakers’ audio input with the other end into the earphone jack of the TV.
Plug the programmable display board power cord into the inverter. You will need a power strip or outlet splitter to provide this extra power outlet. This gives you a total of at least three outlets and is safe to use as long as the sum of watts consumed by the TV/VCR, speakers, and display board does not exceed the watt limit of the inverter (i.e., 300 watts). All electronics manuals show the products’ watt power consumption.
Flip the inverter button to “on” and now you have useable power. Turn on the power to the TV/VCR, speakers, and display board. Insert your videotape. Fashion the anti-glare screen over the TV screen. Use the TV’s remote control and the volume knob on the speakers to adjust the amplified sound coming out of the TV. You are now ready to show videos for hours using a quiet power source.
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