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rerod's avatar
rerod
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014

12v TV/monitor.. What your using please.. No inverters

I'm looking for a TV/monitor we can use while camping and under way on the road.

I was going to simply ask "what 12v TV you removed the transformer from and are currently using in your RV".. But my requirements have changed.
I want a TV/monitor a can also watch music videos and online content from my laptop.

Iv read allot of bad reviews from people who have tried to connect a larger display from PC's and laptops..

Anyone doing this? And any suggestions as Im completely open to buying whatever it takes including a new laptop, but need to be certain it works well.

Thanks!
  • D.E.Bishop wrote:
    donn0128 wrote:
    No 12 volt junk tv's for me. Inverter all the way


    Which 12 VDC TVs are junk and which ones are good TVs?


    Most TV's are between 12-18 volts. THE ONLY difference is external VS internal transformer. Just like most desk top computers have an internal transformer and laptops an external; computers do not run on 120 volts neither do modern TV's
    I have a insignia (BEST BUY) in my rig and also a Vizio. I have used my computer and DVD player on both. They both have an input for computer (or did when I purchased) and they worked fine. The picture quality is not quite as good as on a great monitor but heck I am just watching TV.
  • Ok, you found a 12v tv, la tee da !
    Now you need to find a 12v sat receiver,
    and a 12v DVD, and a 12v everything else, so you can get rid of the inverter.
    Good luck,.....but what the h??? for ??
  • NashTT wrote:
    We have a Supersonic TV that came installed in the TT. Didn't think much of it at first, but after plugging the sound into the cd/radio and we like it better. The sound of the tv's speakers was absolutely horrible. Adjustments made no difference. The picture is quite good especially on ota digital hd signals and blue ray. It does a good job on non-hd directv. Amazon sells these. We've never run it on anything but 12v, shore power or not. Our 2 group 27 batteries and solar can get us through a weekend of dry camping.

    I did the same thing only I connected a pair of computer speakers to the Supersonic TV, now it sounds ok. Its a 22" and draws only 1A at 12v.
  • We have a Supersonic TV that came installed in the TT. Didn't think much of it at first, but after plugging the sound into the cd/radio and we like it better. The sound of the tv's speakers was absolutely horrible. Adjustments made no difference. The picture is quite good especially on ota digital hd signals and blue ray. It does a good job on non-hd directv. Amazon sells these. We've never run it on anything but 12v, shore power or not. Our 2 group 27 batteries and solar can get us through a weekend of dry camping.
  • donn0128 wrote:
    No 12 volt junk tv's for me. Inverter all the way


    Which 12 VDC TVs are junk and which ones are good TVs?
  • I bought a Samsung 22" LCD. The output of the brick is stated as 14.0v @ 2.5a (35 watts). I cut the cord between the brick and the tv, then inserted a weatherpack connector. I also made up a 12v power plug with a matching connector. So now I can hook to the brick and 120v source or hook to the power plug and 12v source. I can't say that there will be long term effects, but it is working with no discernible negative issues.
  • Hit amazon, and search for:
    12 volt monitor hdmi

    The computer either has an hdmi / dvi output, or you can get a usb to hdmi to run the monitor.
  • One of the problems with a TV screen used on a computer is the fine definition of the TV screen is not so great. A computer has much finer lines, so that letters do not look fuzzy.

    I was looking at TV's at Best Buy and even asked the floor sales people what TV's would run on 12 VDC. They replied "None" they all plug into 120 volts. Well true enough, all where plugged in at the store to 120 volts. Many had a power supply that looks like the computer ones, and have a 12 volt output! So they where not well educated, and seemed not to care at all.

    I used to use a 12 - 120 volt inverter and did not care much about how much power I was using. I have a pair of golf cart batteries with a 220 amp hour capacity. The 400 watt solar system keeps it full. It is probably easier to go that route. Unless you do find some 12 VDC TV's and are able to get the right adapter to run it from a cigarette lighter receptacle.

    SunElec.com

    They sell solar panels and controllers to shut them off once the battery is full. If you find a acceptable 12 VDC TV, you will still need to recharge the RV with 35AH daily to keep up with the propane, CO and refrigerator, and then about 75 AM more to meet all the other needs. This is about what my 400 watt solar system makes in a day.

    Fred.

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