Jensen TV's

loneryder wrote:
All this is good info but how would I plug the tv in to the battery? Do I need a cigarette lighter type plug on the tv? Or should I just get a inverter that plugs in to the power port plug(12v) and use the wart to plug into the inverter?

I wired a 12v socket (cigarette lighter type) into the nearest light fixture and made up a cable to connect the mating 12v plug to the TV.

If you are not interested in keeping the battery drain low to extend the time between battery charging when camping without electric hookup, use a small inverter. I would go with a pure sine wave inverter if I was to go that route. You wouldn't need a TV with a wall wart in that case, any TV would work.

IF the TV has a power brick you have options.

Radio shack sells cords with assorted power tips (two items) take the TV in with you or take the power brick in and select the tip. You an get a cord with tinned leads you "hard wire" or one with an "Accessory Plug" (They do not call it ciggy plug any more) Most of those plugs by the way are... Basically junk.. but that's another matter.

IF you have the wall plate with the 12 volt outlet.. It might work. i'd loosen the plate enough to slip a bungee cord behind it to hold the plug in the socket.

MAKE SURE the tip is properly installed (Proper polarity) or damage will occure.

NOTE: Some people worry about the regulation on a 12 volt outlet in a motor home, Voltage can go as high as 15-16 volts.. They fear, and some claim, this has damaged their televisions.

(MY "12volt" tv is actually a 14 volt TV, so I'm not so worried, However I have not the proper plug so I use the brick)


Option 2 is to use a small inverter.. I favor TRUE SINE WAVE. the 12 volt outlet in that plate (See comment about bungee cord) can support 300-400 watts IF YOU ARE LUCKY. Smaller TSW's are hard to find. (Though they are out there).

Why do I prefer TSW.. MSW cause radio frequency interference and I'm a radio operator... They can upset digital TV too.. Depending on the make and model of everything (inverter, TV, Sat receiver, and so on).

They can also work perfectly but it's a bit like Las Vegas.. You lay your money down and you take your chances.

Canned the cheap stereo system and the cheap TV years ago. Now have a Vizio 38" in livingroom and a 22" Samsung with DVD player in bedroom....All new speakers and receiver, and the******most manufacturers put in these units to help save money has been given away. Sad the way some of even the higher end units crimp on TV's and sound systems, truly pathetic..

All this is good info but how would I plug the tv in to the battery? Do I need a cigarette lighter type plug on the tv? Or should I just get a inverter that plugs in to the power port plug(12v) and use the wart to plug into the inverter?

A couple links on running a TV with external power supply (wall wart) on 12v/14v

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27492979.cfm

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27378992/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm

RoyB wrote:
I use the $150 or less 22-inch VIZIO HDTV in my setup.

Some folks like to get a 12VDC TV so it will run from the batteries. Some of these can be quite expensive for mobile 12VDC TVs. My answer to this is to use a low wattage PURE SINE WAVE Inverter connected to the battery which will produce the required 120VAC to operate any of the big store brand TV sets.

Roy Ken

I just picked up a 24" Samsung with a wall wart that puts out 14 volts. What's the best way to use it in my MH? When I'm on campground power, I would just plug it in, but how would I use it on house battery power?

The Jensens and the rest of the 12c DC TV's are junk. They are bottom of the heap Chinese sets that are re-branded as Jensen, Skyworth, Polaroid, etc.

Better to buy a 110 AC TV that is a top tier brand like Panasonic or Toshiba or Samsung and use an inverter if needed. With the smaller sets there is often a brick and the set can be run off 12v DC with an adapter.

Our jensen Tv did not last one season. They did replace it under warranty but we were on the road at the time and bought a Vizio until the replacement arrived. Jensen will be going to daughters house for gaming.

Never saw the need for a 12volt tv until we got our motorhome with one. It's nice to have it when you are without hookups. But if you have an inverter, then you may be good to go.

Costco also carries these Samsung TVs w/ the "brick".
2 different sizes I think?
Think the price was $200 and under?

I have been looking at these, but no DVD player.
Interesting, when you look at the back of the TV, you can see where a DVD would slide in and connect.

My 19 inch 12 volt TV from Walmart has a DVD player which is nice.