Bought our trailer new back in 2002. We rarely use the TV, that just isn't the type of camping we do.That said, wife wants to upgrade (the TV) to something more modern - mainly with the intention of connecting it to a iOS device and streaming something that we have downloaded off Netflix or Amazon Prime. I am already limited by the "box" that was built for the old TV technology, basically limiting me to a 28" TV, but I am also trying to decide on power source.I just have the standard two 12 volt batteries in the RV. We probably camp with electricity 60% of the time. I have a built in generator, as well as take a Yamaha 2000 if I think I might need to just charge the batteries.Most trips without electricity are 2-3 days.I do not have solar, and don't really plan on adding it. I do not have a built in inverter.Where the TV goes, I have both a 12 volt outlet, as well as a standard 120 AC plug. My question is, am I better off searching out a TV that will run on the 12 volt outlet, or would I be ok buying a standard TV and using a inverter on the occasions we are using the TV when we don't have shore power?There are a lot more options (and they are about half price) if I stay with a standard AC television.

Many TVs now have a power brick that converts 120 volts to 12 volts. If you get one of these you might have better efficiency as opposed to running an inverter. The TVs marketed for RVs are usually low quality at a high price. While shopping, compare the wattage of those that might fit your needs.

Modern TVs don't use a lot of power. A small inverter would be a perfectly fine way to go; it won't run down your battery overly quickly. That also makes it easier to hook up e.g. a blu-ray player or game system or satellite receiver if you wish to do so in the future. (It's perhaps worth mentioning that many of the newer game consoles use more power than you might at first suspect, often roughly around 100 watts, more than many television sets.)Of course, if your television happens to have an external 12V power brick, it does make a lot of sense to power it directly.

More choices and lower prices for a 120 Volt TV. Couple the TV with a small PSW inverter, you are set. My combo uses less than 5 AHs...28 inch TV, booster and inverter.

You're not likely to find a decent TV that runs on 12 volt. Go with a good name brand smart TV and use an inverter. The increased power needed for an inverter will be slight.

No question.. get the 12 volt TV.Inverters drain power just being on, and TV will draw more power if going through an inverter than if just a 12v tv. It may not matter most of the time, but when your batteries are getting low then it matters a lot.

Television - 12 volt or 120? | Good Sam Community

Lynnmor
Explorer
Aug 04, 2020
Many TVs now have a power brick that converts 120 volts to 12 volts. If you get one of these you might have better efficiency as opposed to running an inverter. The TVs marketed for RVs are usually low quality at a high price. While shopping, compare the wattage of those that might fit your needs.
DrewE
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2020
Modern TVs don't use a lot of power. A small inverter would be a perfectly fine way to go; it won't run down your battery overly quickly. That also makes it easier to hook up e.g. a blu-ray player or game system or satellite receiver if you wish to do so in the future. (It's perhaps worth mentioning that many of the newer game consoles use more power than you might at first suspect, often roughly around 100 watts, more than many television sets.)

Of course, if your television happens to have an external 12V power brick, it does make a lot of sense to power it directly.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2020
More choices and lower prices for a 120 Volt TV. Couple the TV with a small PSW inverter, you are set. My combo uses less than 5 AHs...28 inch TV, booster and inverter.
Tom_M1
Explorer
Aug 04, 2020
You're not likely to find a decent TV that runs on 12 volt. Go with a good name brand smart TV and use an inverter. The increased power needed for an inverter will be slight.
mr_andyj
Explorer
Aug 04, 2020
No question.. get the 12 volt TV.

Inverters drain power just being on, and TV will draw more power if going through an inverter than if just a 12v tv. It may not matter most of the time, but when your batteries are getting low then it matters a lot.
2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2020
120, inverter.
Sandia_Man
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2020
One of the first mods I do with any of the rigs I've had in the past is to install an inverter, going with a 120VAC TV is the route we always went with. We do pretty well with the pair of GC2 Samsclub batteries as it pertains to using our inverter for TV viewing over 2-3 days of camping off the power grid, which includes powering our satellite receivers and sound bar. We have a suitcase solar panel and inverter genny should we need to replenish consumed amphours to our battery bank. Nothing wrong with going the 12 volt TV route, just more expensive and they seem to be lacking smart TV features commonly found on standard 120VAC televisions.
BurbMan
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2020
Lynnmor wrote:
Many TVs now have a power brick that converts 120 volts to 12 volts.

That USED to be true...while it's true that most TVs now run on 12v, the power supplies are usually internal so it's a lot more complicated that just "bypassing the brick" like we did when flat panels were new.
valhalla360
Navigator
Aug 04, 2020
If it's just a couple hours occasionally...it's going to be a lot easier to go down to your local big box store and buy a 120v TV, since you already have an inverter.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2020
“Inverters drain power just being on, and TV will draw more power if going through an inverter than if just a 12v tv. It may not matter most of the time, but when your batteries are getting low then it matters a lot.“

Who leaves a small inverter on when not in use? More power used? Not that much with 90%+ efficiency. BTW the TV (by itself) draws the same amount of power on an inverter or plugged in.