Replacing our television

[Tkotis5]

So this year we want to replace the tv in our rv does it need to be a special kind because of the bumps in the roads or can we just go to a big box store and buy one

[DavidandDayle]

We had to replace our old TV a couple of summers ago. We bought a small one planning on putting it in a cupboard when I realized that the screw positions were standard. I mounted it on the swing out board but then found that the power and cable cords were in different positions. This involved much work, including buying an interesting set of drills to make 1/2" and larger holes. I was lucky in that my neighbour had a hefty electric drill as my little screwdriver wasn't up to it.

I finally twigged that the new TV was 12V after the transformer. However, the old cord had a damaged plug -- melted due to a lot of bouncing over the years with the hotel power on. So we're still on the transformer.
I have another TV at home that we looked at mounting but the mount holes don't allow it to fit on the swing-out and swing.

[tenbear]

Lots of good advice. The modern LED TVs are so much smaller and lighter you don't have to mount them where the old CRT TV was. I didn't like where mine was so I mounted the new TV on the wall between the cab and the coach and used a swing arm so I could position it to face the observer rather than having it fixed. It also used a 12v adapter so I wired it to the 12v system.

If interested, here is my old post.

[camper19709]

Rainier wrote:
Big Box store will be fine. Just make sure it fits where you want it to go and that it is properly secured - you may have to get creative in how you secure the TV depending on your setup, but I am confident you will be fine. The new flat panels can properly handle more bouncing around, etc than the old tube-type. Good luck!

x2

[j-d]

We have three Insignia TV's. The 27" we bought a few years ago for the main unit in the RV is VERY much the best of the three. The 19" we got a little later for the RV bedroom is plenty good. Everybody looks at picture and viewing angle is very important. Our RV A/C is so LOUD we needed TV's with SOUND that played well at a high enough level to deal with the A/C. The 27" and the 16" both do.
Then we bought a 32" for home. Neither Picture (viewing angle, picture quality) Nor Sound is as good as the two older ones. We just looked at an Insignia 32" Smart/ROKU and were not happy with picture, including viewing angle.
Like so many other things, shop carefully...

[IAMICHABOD]

All very good information.One thing to remember when purchasing a TV for the RV is to look at the viewing angle, if you can go to the store and sit lower then off to each side to see what it looks like at those angles. A DVD player is also nice to have.

Most times in a RV you wont be looking straight on at it. I found out the hard way after buying and returning 2 TVs, that sometimes at those angles the screen is washed out or black making them un-viewable.

After buying and returning a Samsung and a RCA I found a Insignia that has a much larger viewing angle, 178 horizontal and 178 vertical viewing angles.

In my RV with the TV in the front or the rear bedroom you have to look up at it. This TV works great in both areas. The DVD quality is excellent.

[ron_dittmer]

I agree with the comments mentioned regarding power supplies. Many smaller TVs receive power from a power supply which plugs into 110V. Plugging direct from your 12V batteries into the TV will be so much better for your battery(s). The other advantage is that you can watch TV anytime, with or without 110V power. I would pick a TV that operates within a couple volts of 12V. I seen a few TV power supplies that generate 19V so I am not sure how well they will operate in the 12V range. If you love such a TV, I would buy it, then try it and see.

One other point to note is the wattage of the power supply. The lower the wattage, the less power it needs to operate. This means your house batteries last longer between charges.

For the record, here is what some power supplies look like, common on the smaller TVs. I think 32" is about the limit, most popular in the 24"-28" sizes

[The_Logans]

All the solid state LED TV's have the same resistance to motion issues.

One of the first things we always do is get rid of the cheap TV that comes with the unit. We always replace them with a factory refurbished Samsung Smart TV from WalMart. We just got a Samsung 32" LED Smart TV for 199.00. You can't tell the refurbs from brand new, and they have the same warranty.

The "Smart" Samsung's allow us to use WiFi to surf, watch our vacation pics and movies, and connect with other devices. Great TV's

[D_E_Bishop]

Dennis, as mentioned many TV sets are using the wall brick instead of a std 120vac cord. This will work to your advantage, all you have to do is buy a cigarette lighter cord with the correct plug and you're set to go. You said you are changing out from whatever and I'll bet there is a antenna connector with a 12vdc socket. If there is one, nothing else is needed for OTA reception.

If you don't have a 12vdc socket they are really easy to install. Another feature is the flat panel uses less power and eliminating either an inverter or the need to run the genny.

The mounting is an added expense but if your clever it's easy.

[Jim_Shoe]

Just be sure that you don't turn it on while traveling down the road. If you hit a big bump, all the pixels on the screen will fall to the bottom. 🙂

[j-d]

Agree with Big Box. That's pretty much what the RV builders use.
What type of TV are you replacing? CRT Screen? Older Flat Screen? With or Without a Digital Tuner? Any can have challenges but they're all do-able.
Wanted to add, some of the new flat screens use an external power supply "brick" like a laptop PC. That can get in the way of a clean install job depending on where the outlet is, but there CAN be a big plus. Usually the ones with the "brick" are running 12-volts-DC, so it could be possible to use it when 120-AC isn't available. Otherwise, Inverter, Generator, Do Without.

[Trackrig]

I think any of them will work but I think the Samsungs pick up over-the-air TV signals better. We've been bouncing around a couple of Samsungs for three years and they've sat outside in the MH down to -20F and up to 115F inside of the MH with out heat or air on.

We primarily went with them because we like their "smart" capabilities the best. If you want more than just a TV, read the functionality carefully. Each brand makes from just a cheap TV to a multi-function TV. You will have to pay more if you want more functionality.

As for where to buy, we've gotten some from Costco and Best Buy who will match Amazon's pricing so you don't have to wait for delivery. I think Costco has a better warranty, but I've heard they're changing it because of people buying them to use for a party or something like the superbowl and then returning them a couple of days later.

Bill

[Rainier]

Big Box store will be fine. Just make sure it fits where you want it to go and that it is properly secured - you may have to get creative in how you secure the TV depending on your setup, but I am confident you will be fine. The new flat panels can properly handle more bouncing around, etc than the old tube-type. Good luck!