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alliemac9's avatar
alliemac9
Explorer
May 14, 2014

Can't run Samsung T27B350 TV directly off 12V DC, correct?

I'm working to get things set up to maximize my upcoming solar install. I already have a TV that is primarily used as a computer monitor in the RV and I'd like to figure out if there is a way to directly plug it into a 12V outlet...I think no, but thought I'd ask.

It is a Samsung SyncMaster T27B350 LED TV/monitor. If I understand correctly, TV's that have a power supply box on the power cord natively run 12V and need the power supply to convert 110V AC to 12V DC. This model does not have a power supply, just a normal cord. The label on the back says: AC110-120V~60Hz 55W.

Is my only option to plug the cord into a little 12V inverter?

8 Replies

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  • ryanw821's avatar
    ryanw821
    Explorer
    May 15, 2014
    If you have a TV with a wall wart that is more than 12volt (like Tom_M said his is 24v), they do make DC/DC transformers to step up the voltage. You would waste SOME power in the transformer, but would still be less loss than an inverter, and you wouldn't have to worry about "square vs modified vs sine wave" issue.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    May 15, 2014
    If it has no "Brick" or "Wall Wart" but only has a 120 volt in then you have two choices.

    1: Power it with 120vac or 2: Trash your warranty by modifying it.

    As someone said, a small Inverter may work
    My Samsung is a 14 volt device, has a brick in the power cord, I'm thinking about modifying, but have not yet done so since I have not the right power tip. (Cord end).
  • generaljean's avatar
    generaljean
    Explorer
    May 15, 2014
    Best option is to buy a 12v TV that also works on 110 so you have the option if you're connected to shore power. That's what I use and it uses minimal battery power. It was an RCA and I found it on line at Amazon.com for around $200. The smaller the screen, the less power usage, so depends on your battery set up.
  • Tom_M1's avatar
    Tom_M1
    Explorer
    May 14, 2014
    Don't assume that if a TV has an external power brick that it will run on 12 volt. My LG runs on 24 volt.
  • lawrosa's avatar
    lawrosa
    Explorer
    May 14, 2014
    Do your homework. Some of those small invertors run a square sinewave and cause issues with electronics..

    The best units I found that run my TV is the stanly units. They have a modified sine wave.

    I got at the home store for $20 bucks... My TV is only 25 watt...

    Plus no cooling fan.. which becomes annoying after a while. Most of the square wave models have fans...

    http://www.lowes.com/pd_328613-89606-PC1A09_0__

    Read specs from walmart...

    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stanley-100-Watt-Plug-Inverter/14560011
  • ryanw821's avatar
    ryanw821
    Explorer
    May 14, 2014
    At only 55 watts you could use a very small power inverter like this. Gives you a few USB charging ports too ;-)

    Sadly though without cracking it open and feeding 12v into the regulator boards inside, its a no-go for DIRECT 12v power.

    EDIT: The small inverter I have like that has a power switch on it, which is nice for off grid, since you can stop any parasitic power drain with the inverter switch then, TV direct to 12v means you have to unplug it to eliminate the parasitic drain. NOTE the inverter I linked doesnt have a switch, so I would shop around.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    May 14, 2014
    Your only reasonable option, yes. Otherwise, you'll be opening up the back panel and finding where the 'black box' is.

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