tv question

Phil Hendrix wrote:
Those of you that say you are using a converter to power your TV with with DC current, does that mean a converter something like you purchase to plug into the cigarette lighter plug and then plug your TV plug into it?

Some folks (me for example) like to make things complicated..

Every RV with a house battery has a "Converter" that charges the battery and provides power to lights, water pump and a bunch of other stuff when plugged in or running a generator.

This Converter may be part of an "in-line" type Inverter/charger.. Or it may be a box all by itself (mine is) or it may be part of your power distribuition center (Fuse/breaker box).. But if you have a battery, it has a charger.

Many smaller Tv's today have a wall-wart or power brick, this too is a "Converter". converts 120vac into xxVDC (the voltage varies depending on the model)_

Thanks Frank...it does help!

Phil

Phil Hendrix wrote:
Just like the OP, I am in the market for a new TV for our new to us 2000 Lance truck camper. I do like the idea of being able to use the TV on DC current when we are not plugged into AC power. The truck camper is equipped with a 12 volt cigarette outlet in the TV cabinet along with the standard 110 outlet.

Those of you that say you are using a converter to power your TV with with DC current, does that mean a converter something like you purchase to plug into the cigarette lighter plug and then plug your TV plug into it?

Do I have to purchase a TV specifically for 12 volt to use the cigarette outlet? I'm confused (as you can tell) about some of the comments about cutting off the cord and wire in a 12 volt cigarette plug...can someone post a picture/link to this type of plug?

Also, what is everyone doing about a DVD player and /or wifi netflix??

Thanks much,
Phil

(I don't know about the wire cutting and won't even try to address that one)

What I did, purchased an inverter from Amazon, but doesn't really matter where, just get a good one.
The inverter is connected directly to the Battery. You plug in the 110 TV or appliance into the inverter and run the TV/DVD etc off that. Note the two outlets on the inverter. I use a 6 Plug brick so I don't have to keep plugging/unplugging stuff as I use them.

Battery > Inverter > Appliance.
The inverter simply converts the battery 12v to 110v to run the TV.
It does take juice to do that, so it is a draw even when sitting doing nothing, just be aware of that. It's minimal, but??

If you get a 12v tv then you don't need to do all that and just plug into the cigarette socket as I understand it.

I just checked and I did get a 600w which might be more than needed, but for future use
Xantrex 806-1206 PROwatt 600 SW Inverter
I run the DVD player off it too along with charging stations.

Netflix, heheh, wishful thinking...
It just boils down to how much "Data $$$" you can download per month. I use Verizon Jetpack and painfully jumping from 7-14 Gig per month and typically go over that, can you say "$$$ Ouch", and have not downloaded anything from Netflix...

Video streaming will chew up the data allowance you have per month..
I just have the DVD disks sent as needed.

Hope that helps...

Phil Hendrix wrote:
Those of you that say you are using a converter to power your TV with with DC current, does that mean a converter something like you purchase to plug into the cigarette lighter plug and then plug your TV plug into it?

Inverter.

Just like the OP, I am in the market for a new TV for our new to us 2000 Lance truck camper. I do like the idea of being able to use the TV on DC current when we are not plugged into AC power. The truck camper is equipped with a 12 volt cigarette outlet in the TV cabinet along with the standard 110 outlet.

Those of you that say you are using a converter to power your TV with with DC current, does that mean a converter something like you purchase to plug into the cigarette lighter plug and then plug your TV plug into it?

Do I have to purchase a TV specifically for 12 volt to use the cigarette outlet? I'm confused (as you can tell) about some of the comments about cutting off the cord and wire in a 12 volt cigarette plug...can someone post a picture/link to this type of plug?

Also, what is everyone doing about a DVD player and /or wifi netflix??

Thanks much,
Phil

Provided Inverter is a true sine wave no problem.. NOTE: many TV's today are 12 to 14 volt and will work fine on auto power... Many are not.

Some considerations.. ELEMENT Tv's are the only ones made in the USA.. They do not work with most digital cable systems however

I have a Samsung that is 14 volt,, Some folks worry that a 12 volt TV will be damaged by charging voltage,,, not my Samsung..

Many Samsungs are "Smart TV's with web connections mics and cameras,,,, Just what you want (not) in the bedroom.

There are other things about other TV's. but if I list all the possible concerns I'll still be typing tomorrow.

we have a 24" Vizio, and a DVD player.
we carry an extra battery and use it. we can get about 9 hrs of movies on a 300 watt inverter. works great for us. can use generator to charge, or hook my solar up.

I have a Samsung 32 inch with a Directv satellite box. on a 400 watt inverter by harbor fright.. over a year how. no issues.

(uses less than 60 watts )

I run a regular 110v house 32" Samsung with the Blu Ray package, DISH and Antenna off a pure sign inverter I had installed, it's either 300w or 600w not sure but works great.
I also used it for the laptop and charging station.

While the inverter uses some power, it's not too bad.
I didn't like the 12v options and figured what the hell, get more solar and batteries.. heheh... which I am.. so power concerns would be the driving force.

We run a 32" TV/DVD unit off a 100 watt inverter and run the sound through the sound system in the camper (Jenson) not bad sound considering the unit, but im not at home in the HT room

Dave