12V TV, is it worth the extra cost?

[compint]

We've been contemplating replacing our old 90 lb. original TV's with flat screen LED. The 12V version are twice the cost of a standard flat screen. Is it really worth the cost? The only advantage we can see is if we are boondocking but otherwise we typically stay at sites with full hookup.

Can we use the 12V while driving with our grand kids?

Thank you,

[rana]

I would say no. If the majority of your camping is with full hookup, I doubt you would save any money on the back end.

You would be able to use a 12v while driving, yes. Or you could just turn on the genny to run a standard 110v T.V.

[Timtation]

I have a Samsung flat screen that has a 120vac to 12 vdc transformer. The only problem with taking it in the camper is the original shelf does not have necessary headroom for it with the provided base.

[fmc]

I put 2 new LED tv's in our 5er. It is not worth the extra money for the 12 volt tv. You can get great deals online at Walmart.com and save a ton of money over a 12 volt unit. You can also save a ton of money over purchasing the tv in the Walmart store. They have some really good deals on line from time to time.

[KyDan]

I power my LED flat screen TV with a little cigarette socket inverter similar
to this one-- Schumacher XI14 Power Inverter - Walmart.com
$20 from WallyWorld.

Check your TV antenna wall plate. Some have a 12v socket already there.
IF you don't have one you can pretty easily install one. I tied my last one
to the radio/DVD player power wire and never blew a fuse in 5 years.
My current rig came with the socket in the Winegard wall plate.

Happy Trails!

[Evereddie]

Originally Posted by KyDan

I power my LED flat screen TV with a little cigarette socket inverter similar
to this one-- Schumacher XI14 Power Inverter - Walmart.com
$20 from WallyWorld.

Check your TV antenna wall plate. Some have a 12v socket already there.
IF you don't have one you can pretty easily install one. I tied my last one
to the radio/DVD player power wire and never blew a fuse in 5 years.
My current rig came with the socket in the Winegard wall plate.

Happy Trails!

Yes! Totally the way to go. Buy the TV you want and if needed use the inverter to power when only 12 volts is available.

[ChooChooMan74]

Look for a Television with a 12volt input. Since Radio Shack is pretty much closed, you may have to order a pigtail from Amazon.

Camping Life with Matt: Trailer Mod - 12V Insignia TV

[oakprk]

My vote is NO. We had around a 13 inch one that we used for about a half hour of TV each night before going to sleep and it drained the battery too fast.

[IDXPLR]

We Boon-dock most of the time so I can tell you that yes the extra cost of the 12v TV's are worth it because, Every inverter I have tried uses up the batteries to fast. With a 12v TV I don't use near the batteries and it doesn't become a problem. Now if you are always hooked up to shore power then it isn't an issue but three continuous days on batteries requires everything to be very low power draw. Even with a Solar panel. Hope this helps.

[BobHanke]

12V option might be good in a motor home to keep guests happy on the road. It would then serve the same purpose during field trips in your toad/dingy. Hedge your bet even further with a set that also plays DVD's when over air is not working well and preserve your sanity by getting equipment with ear phone jacks.

[Eric99]

Our RV came with one 12v TV and we purchased a 110v Samsung TV for the bedroom. The mount on the TV is not near as strong as the 12v Jensen TV. It is so weak I remove it from the wall every time we travel so it won't break the TV back. Maybe it would not break but it flexes so bad I did not want to take the chance.

[Evereddie]

It is a valid point that a TV that has a 12 volt option does use less power than using an inverter to power the TV when 110 volt is not available. You have to decide how often you will need to run on 12 volts and what are your options for recharging your batteries every day. You can get some recharge time from just running the tow vehicle. Or better yet run booster cables from your tow vehicle to your trailer batteries for a stronger quicker charge.

[waiter21]

A lot of TVs you buy will operate on 12, but they are not sold or advertized as such.

Here is an article on what to look for next time your browsing thru Walmart (or any other appliance place)

Will a 120 volt TV work on 12 volts DC – MAYBE | 2001 Coachmen Mirada 300QB

AND

Installing and upgrading TVs | 2001 Coachmen Mirada 300QB

..

[NorSnrub]

I have been researching the same. I found Walmart internet has them for under 200. or get a small inverter for a 20 from them and a led TV. I use one that i converted to dc at Walmarts while traveling. Check the wattage of the tv and multiply by 2.

[Bocamo]

We installed a Samsung 32 inch in our 5th wheel. It can run on 120VAC or 12VDC. In most circumstances we would not be using it without 120V shore power but by wiring up a cigar lighter type plug we can run it either way. There was no additional cost, the TV cost a bit over $200 at Walmart.

The only caveat was that it uses a larger metric screw than the Furrion that was in place but since the bracket moved the wrong way and I had to take it down and turn it over drilling out the holes was a minor problem. A larger problem was a piece of steel that covered the input sockets. I cut this off with a Dremel cutting disc.

You should check if your antenna amplifier runs off 12V.

[pmsherman]

Many of the newer LED tvs I've seen in the stores the past year actually run on 12V. Internally, they all run on 12V or less with the only difference being whether the manufacturer decides to build the power supply into the unit or have a separate wall wart power supply. Units with an internal converter (110AC to 12VDC) require UL approval but if the unit takes 12VDC, only the wall wart needs approval, a potential cost savings. This also removes the AC power supply from the cabinet, reducing internal heat, the bane of electronics.

I'd shop around for an LED tv that uses a separate wall wart power supply. Verify that it's 12V out and all you'll need is a cord with a matching plug or you could use my solution. I cut the power cord and install polarized connectors (PowerPole) on the cut ends then make up another patch cord to connect to a battery or cigarette lighter socket. I now have a choice of pwoer sources for the tv.

Phil

[Burgeogull]

I have a 500 watt inverter hooked up that I run my tv and satellite receiver on.


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[Burgeogull]

Like this.


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[glen1971]

The one 12 volt tv I saw had a power consumption of 60 watts.. That is a huge draw and unless you have a way to keep your batteries charged, you'll only watch about a movie, then be in the dark (with the rest of your trailer loads)... Check the consumption of them before you pull the trigger and get one..

IMO it's not worth it...

[Burgeogull]

I have 2 batteries and some solar panels to charge them during the day. We watch tv for how much we want at night. Sure the batteries go down a bit but before I get up in the am the solar panels have them up to full again.


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