Flat screen TV

[pondlady]

Our 09 (new to us) 28bh Grey Wolf has a spot for a 20" flat screen tv. Do I need a special 12 V TV for an RV or will any TV do? If I get a regular TV, can I just use a 12 V to 115 transformer to make it work properly?

[MtnGuy]

If you intend to watch TV while dry camping, then a 12 volt TV might be best.......but it will pull your battery down. My 15.6" TV DVD combo pulls 3.8 amps, so a 20" would probably pull more.

You would need to get a properly sized inverter if you bought a 120 volt TV and used it while dry camping, and I understand there is some power loss using that, so that might use more of your battery power than a like sized 12 volt TV.

If you dry camp and want to use the TV, make sure there is a nearby 12 volt supply receptacle.

If you never intend to dry camp, then a 120 volt TV is probably your best bet.

[backin15]

Many tv's have a power converter on the power cord. I found a Sylvania that had a converter with 12v DC listed as the output power of the converter. The converter plugged into the TV with a standard plug that was available at Radio Shack. I wired the plug to a cigarette lighter plug and it has been working happily for 6 years now. You can use a 115 volt transformer also known as a power inverter to power it but be sure you get one with enough output to power the tv. Also be aware they use a lot of electricity and will drain down the battery in a hurry!

[NWJeeper]

Originally Posted by backin15

Many tv's have a power converter on the power cord. I found a Sylvania that had a converter with 12v DC listed as the output power of the converter. The converter plugged into the TV with a standard plug that was available at Radio Shack. I wired the plug to a cigarette lighter plug and it has been working happily for 6 years now.

I sure wish laptop computers where this way. All of them I have seen put out 17 or 19 volts DC. Good thinking on the TV. I would have just assumed they were all running on higher voltage.