12 volt versus 120 volt TV

[turbosek]

My used MH has a Tracvision R5SL. Sellers took TV out. I want to add a flatscreen and DVD player. Since my Tracvision will work while driving, should I get a 12 volt tv and DVD? Is my only other option to get 120 volt tv and have the generator running if I (kids) want to watch tv while driving? I have a 2004 Forest River Lexington. I know my converter takes 120 volt and converts to 12 volts...is there something I can/should buy to convert 12 volts to 120 volts while we are driving?

[f1100turbo]

Inverter

[herk7769]

If the only AC component you want to power is the TV, a point of use inverter (rather than a whole camper) will do the trick.

Look on the specifications tab (internet) or the back of the TV or TV/DVD you want to buy for the wattage required and buy a 12VDC to 120VAC inverter at least 10% higher than that.

The basics of TV power - CNET Reviews

Suggests that a 400 watt inverter will do what you need to do, just make sure your 12 volt wiring to the inverter is correctly sized and fused for 40 amps DC.
DC Wire Table

#8 or larger (smaller numbers as it gets bigger in diameter) will handle 8 feet from battery to inverter. See chart for longer runs.

[onetonford]

I found a 22" Vizio at Costco that is powered by a transformer that drops to 12volts so I made up a adapter for the 12v from Radio Shack and it works Great no inverter needed as far as a DVD player hadn't looked for one but the TV I bought has all the Plugs for a USB ETC. in the back andI put a Movie on a flash Drive and it works fine.

[KyDan]

There are several options--
I'm a cheap skate!!
We have a 19 LCD TV that we can power with a $25 cigarette socket
plug in inverter. I think the inverter is 150 watts but my TV says 40 or 50
watts in the owners manual. I forget which.
Our current trailer has a built in AM/FM radio CD/DVD/MP3 player that's
12v powered but we used to also use a little cheap DVD player from
WalMart. We actually powered both the TV and the cheap DVD player
from the one cigarette socket inverter.

It's all about the watts.
Watts in 12v dc are the same in 120v AC but amps are not and must
be mathematically figured when you go from AC to DC power.
Read the watts on any TV you are considering as well as any DVD players
you're looking at or may already own.

Good Luck!