Cruisers Forum

Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Engineerlt on October 07, 2020, 12:00:41 pm

Title: 12 Volt TV
Post by: Engineerlt on October 07, 2020, 12:00:41 pm
I was wondering if anyone has installed a 12 Volt DC TV, instead of 120 Volt.  I just installed a 19 inch TV over the passengers side bed and found that it had a power brick on the power cord that converted the voltage to 12 Volts DC.  So I found a power plug and wired it into the coaches 12 volt battery wiring and it seems to work just fine.  I should probably install a dc to dc power stabilizer, just to ensure the input voltage doesn't fluctuate and stays at 12 volts.

I like the idea of not having to use the inverter to watch TV, saves on power losses using the inverter. Has anyone else installed or use a 12 volt TV? I was looking at maybe replacing the 32 inch TV up front with a 12 volt one as well.  Any thoughts on the idea?
Title: Re: 12 Volt TV
Post by: Volkemon on October 07, 2020, 12:39:11 pm
I had an `Element'  brand 32" flatscreen that I installed initially, and it also had a 'Wall Wart' style transformer that outputted 12V to the TV.   Since the 12V outlet is right next to the TV I was going to run it off 12V...... But ended up getting a better sounding new TV and the other is in one of the bedrooms. The new TV was 110v only. 

We dont have an inverter in the coach, so the 12V conversion was so Grandma V and Grandson would have TV while on the road.  I am blessed that he has YET to even want it on when we go anywhere!!!   2o2 

I suppose you could do the DC-DC and have that extra level of protection.  With the 32" I put in costing me $80, I am not going to spend a lot of time and energy in protection circuits. BUT... I am talking the 'Best Buy' quality. If you go out and get one of the RV TV's for several hundred, Sure!!
Title: Re: 12 Volt TV
Post by: keelhauler on October 07, 2020, 01:30:37 pm
I bought a new LG 24" TV for the RV bedroom. But the adapter from 110v to the TV says Out : DC 19 V, so I guess I can't use my 12v circuit which nominally is 13.2 volts.
Title: Re: 12 Volt TV
Post by: CalCruiser on October 07, 2020, 03:05:09 pm
My 4 year old  21” Insignia from Best Buy is  12v, and is also wired to dc. They are fairly common, but if you can  still find one with component inputs, an Atari Flashback  game console is too much fun. Beware of Space Invaders !
Title: Re: 12 Volt TV
Post by: Ron Dittmer on October 07, 2020, 04:50:29 pm
This subject interests me.  I wished our front TV (a 2007 model year 26" Samsung I installed myself) operated off 12V to save on battery reserves.  The surround sound would still require 110V, but our power hog is the TV.  I know because it runs hot, so much that soon after I installed, it, I added a pair of computer fans to cool it down, and a POT to control their speed to run them quietly.  You can make out the two raw wood cut-out openings for the fans in this picture.  The two unseen fans (mounted to the backside of the panel) address the heat, but not the power consumption.  It's old TV technology.  Current-day TVs don't use nearly as much energy, though inverted 110V more than battery-direct 12V.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/7444/27850053660_1fe62c07d2_z.jpg)

Our 19" Bedroom TV shown below is also a 110V system which of coarse utilizes the inverter.  It has an integrated DVD player which we use often.  Running this TV off the inverter is nothing like the front TV.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/8237/8462460345_04eef85b34_z.jpg)