Apple TV won't power on using GMC Yukon 120V outlet

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Apple TV won't power on using GMC Yukon 120V outlet

I'm trying to hookup my A1625 Apple TV to the entertainment system in my 2016 GMC Yukon. The Yukon has a 120V plug in the center console (essentially a factory installed 12V DC to 120V AC inverter). The voltage coming out of that plug is 114V measured with a meter. The same plug is able to run a Ryobi 40V battery charger perfectly. The Apple TV powers up just fine when plugged into a house plug. However when I plug it into the outlet in the Yukon it won't power on.

I can get everything to work on the Yukon entertainment system when the Apple TV is plugged into an extension cord. But....I need a pretty long extension cord to make that a good long term solution, LOL!!!

I'm baffled. Anyone have any ideas why this might be? Is the Apple TV finicky on the type of power it's getting? I could potentially try to use the cigarette lighter with a small inverter but that's redundant considering I already have a factory installed inverter right next to it.

Dunno...any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

Apple TV (4th generation)

Posted on Aug 31, 2021 7:13 PM

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Answer 1

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ses_mac Author

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Aug 31, 2021 7:46 PM in response to Chattanoogan

Those are all definitely words...haha.

It looks as though the factory inverter is a modified sine wave unit. I might have to go with a small pure sine wave one to get this setup to work properly.

I don't have the meter you're taking about or the expertise to operate one. But I'm guessing what you're saying is correct. The Apple TV isn't happy with the power it's getting from the inverter.

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Answer 2

ses_mac Author

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Sep 1, 2021 9:29 AM in response to Chattanoogan

I spoke with another Yukon owner and they said the Apple TV 4K version worked with their vehicle outlet just fine. So either we have different inverters or the guts of the 4K vs HD Apple TV are different.

Either way it looks like I need a pure sine wave inverter to make this all work.

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Answer 3

Aug 31, 2021 7:27 PM in response to ses_mac

While we don’t have the engineering details, clearly the AppleTV isn’t happy w/ what is likely pretty non-sinusoidal power from your Yukon’s inverter…

… althogh a quick voltage check w/ an RMS voltage / freg meter is always in-order to rule-out bad voltage or freq control as contributing causes.

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Answer 4

Sep 1, 2021 4:20 AM in response to ses_mac

The AppleTV has it’s own built-in electronic-switching power supply; it apparently has “issues” with the “choppy” power from the vehicle’s inverter.

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Answer 5

lkrupp

Level 7

22,585 points

Sep 1, 2021 6:13 AM in response to Chattanoogan

Chattanoogan wrote:

The AppleTV has it’s own built-in electronic-switching power supply; it apparently has “issues” with the “choppy” power from the vehicle’s inverter.

I can only speak from my personal experience but my Apple TV 4K is powered via an APC UPS with a simulated sine wave output. During a power outage the Apple TV keeps chugging along as if nothing has happened.

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Answer 6

Sep 1, 2021 6:39 AM in response to lkrupp

FWIW, my Apple TV continues operating on my entertaiment center’s UPS as well. (also an APC)

That said I’ve never put a scope on it’s output to see what I’m really getting.

Maybe a good experiment to perform the next time I perform the dreaded “dust removal” task. 😖

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Answer 7

lkrupp

Level 7

22,585 points

Sep 1, 2021 8:11 AM in response to Chattanoogan

My next UPS will be a true sine wave model. The price difference is much lower these days.

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Answer 8

Sep 16, 2021 6:11 PM in response to ses_mac

Glad it helped … even if it didn’t solve everything.

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Answer 9

ses_mac Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 15, 2021 11:18 PM in response to Chattanoogan

You were absolutely correct.

I bought a pure sine wave inverter and the Apple TV powered on with no issues.

The NEW issue...when you turn the car off the Apple TV isn't happy about losing power. Even after putting it to sleep it still hates losing power. Seemingly the only way to get it running again is to unplug it for 30-ish seconds and plug it back in.

So while I was able to get the Apple TV to operate while driving and my son loved it; this new issue may be just a bit too much to deal with on a regular basis. Perhaps an Apple TV wasn't really meant to run in a car, lol! But this has been a fun experiment.

Thanks for your help. I've marked your initial response as solving my issue.

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Apple TV won't power on using GMC Yukon 120V outlet

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