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Old 10-07-2013, 10:45 PM   #1
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TV on 12v?

My TV doesn't work off the 12v system, but it seems like it should. The owner's manual makes reference to this, but there are no clear instructions on how to make it work. Is there a switch I need to flip? Getting ready to head out on a trip and my son would love to watch a DVD as we are driving down the road.

2012 Sunseeker 2450S

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Old 10-07-2013, 11:38 PM   #2
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unless it's a 12v tv, it won't work withOUT shore power, generator or with an inverter.
don't believe anything the owners manual says because it's generic and won't necessarily apply to your RV.
even if it's 12v, it'll have to plug into a cigarette lighter type outlet.
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Old 10-08-2013, 05:10 AM   #3
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Our TV is 12 volt. Follow the power cord and you will find it is plugged into a 12 volt outlet. 2012 Sunseeker 2300. Power comes from the coach battery, so battery disconnect has to be turned on.
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Old 10-08-2013, 07:28 AM   #4
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I believe it is a regular 110v tv. Does the inverter convert coach battery power to 12v for certain appliances (I.e., refrigerator, tv)?

Also, as I'm driving does the chassis alternator recharge the coach batteries or is that only done by plugging in the RV to shore power?
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Old 10-08-2013, 08:07 AM   #5
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I don't have your RV, but the 12v TVs in mine are powered by a 120v->12v "brick" mounted on the back of the TV. (They would work on 12v, but I'd have to buy/make a power cord and a 12v place to plug that in.) Perhaps yours is that way as well.
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Old 10-08-2013, 08:33 AM   #6
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Mine is a 12v TV. Cable out of TV to a 12volt plug ("cigarette lighter" plug).
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Old 10-08-2013, 09:28 AM   #7
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Jensen 12 volt ?

If the TV is a Jensen then it should be 12 volts. My #3051S came with three 12 volt Jensen LEDC TV's. Sometimes the 12 volt cigarette style plug gets lose and needs to be pushed back in. Also, my 32" models have a blue LED power light on the front lower left corner.

RV TV - Jensen 12 volt LED TV for Outdoor Use
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Old 10-08-2013, 09:38 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RvBill3 View Post
Our TV is 12 volt. Follow the power cord and you will find it is plugged into a 12 volt outlet. 2012 Sunseeker 2300. Power comes from the coach battery, so battery disconnect has to be turned on.
RvBill3
does your front TV work while driving?

I thought all MH's turned the power off to the front TV while in motion???

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Old 10-08-2013, 09:48 AM   #9
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If the TV is a Jensen then it should be 12 volts. My #3051S came with three 12 volt Jensen LEDC TV's. Sometimes the 12 volt cigarette style plug gets lose and needs to be pushed back in. Also, my 32" models have a blue LED power light on the front lower left corner.

RV TV - Jensen 12 volt LED TV for Outdoor Use
Not all Jensen TV's are 12 volt. The one that came with my camper definitely is not.
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Old 10-08-2013, 09:49 AM   #10
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The 12V television in our Solera is hardwired into the 12V system (No cigarette lighter plug). If your TV works when plugged into shore power and the battery disconnect is OFF, then it's a 110V, if not plugged into shore power and it works with the Battery disconnect ON (and inverter off if you have one), then it's a 12V. At least that's the way it works on my coach.

12V TVs use less power than 110V, hence they are more user friendly when dry camping - (works without having to turn on inverter) - which also has a parasitic drain on the battery.

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Old 10-08-2013, 10:49 AM   #11
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The TV works while driving. The in dash DVD will show videos on the TV but not on its own display while driving (unless an orange wire becomes "disconnected").
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Old 10-08-2013, 11:34 AM   #12
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Is this what you meant to say??
Why won't it work with shore power, generator or an inverter?
yea, meant to say "WITHOUT", not "with".
i fixed my post.
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Old 10-08-2013, 03:39 PM   #13
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The suggestion to follow the power cable to the TV is the best suggestion. While there may be a hard wired 12, mostly they have cigarette lighter plugs, and they can come loose; or you'll find a normal ac plug plugged into a normal ac socket; also can come loose. There is no inverter on my coach, but their purpose is to change low voltage dc to (normally) 110v ac. The TV set manual should state the power requirements for your set.
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Old 10-08-2013, 04:22 PM   #14
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The suggestion to follow the power cable to the TV is the best suggestion. While there may be a hard wired 12, mostly they have cigarette lighter plugs, and they can come loose; or you'll find a normal ac plug plugged into a normal ac socket; also can come loose. There is no inverter on my coach, but their purpose is to change low voltage dc to (normally) 110v ac. The TV set manual should state the power requirements for your set.
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Old 10-09-2013, 09:05 AM   #15
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Yes not all are 12V. Depends when you bought the unit. Cigarette lighter it will be 12V. Two prong blade plug, 110V. 110V will only work with inverter (control would be a panel near the step well if you had a factory one).

We went to 12V for all the reasons mentioned. Once TV's went the way of LED's the power draw became so low, 12V became pretty easy.

Our DVD player in the front now feeds from an OUTPUT on the Dash radio. This dash radio has a "non lock out signal". The same thing that a car does to the rear DVD headrest players. The only signal that is "locked out" is the dash screen. Which will of course come on with the parking brake engaged. (or other methods that we don't condone )

That way the kids can watch a DVD while going down the road. THe only TV's on RV's that are locked out are typically Class A's where the driver can see the TV from the front seat.
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Old 10-10-2013, 11:05 AM   #16
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If you have the Jensen 12v TV, check the cig plug. I have had issues with the plugs burning up on the inside, causing it to fail. I'm on #8 on a 6 month old TV. I bought a bunch of extras to keep on the coach.
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Old 10-10-2013, 11:44 AM   #17
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Not all Jensen TV's are 12 volt. The one that came with my camper definitely is not.
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Old 10-12-2013, 10:55 PM   #18
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I love Jensen 12 volt TV's. I've had the best luck with them. (So far, crossing fingers....)
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