Run TV on an inverter?

[Flatfive]

We just bought a class C motorhome. It has a TV but it’s 120V and requires the generator to run all the time your watching the set. We have an inverter that’s 200 watts. I’m thinking of trying to run the TV on that hooked up to the 12V system. Do any of you have experience with this?

[johnhicks]

If your TV has a wallwart or transformer you may be able to use this https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Charger-ThinkPad-Notebook-Computers/dp/B095SF992Q/ref=dp_prsubs_2?pd_rd_i=B095SF992Q&psc=1

My older 32" Visio uses 19v, as do my computers. Works fine.

[bikendan]

Flatfive wrote:
We just bought a class C motorhome. It has a TV but it’s 120V and requires the generator to run all the time your watching the set. We have an inverter that’s 200 watts. I’m thinking of trying to run the TV on that hooked up to the 12V system. Do any of you have experience with this?

Been running a 32" Vizio on a 150w inverter for years. Luckily the 12v outlet is right above the tv.

[LouLawrence]

jdc1 wrote:
Get one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/Inverter-POLAR-Power-Cigarette-Lighter/dp/B08JCRT8BJ/ref=asc_df_B08JCRT8BJ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475789621573&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2091615609518087249&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9051682&hvtargid=pla-1053576751619&psc=1

He says he already has an inverter. MSW or PSW should work just fine to watch TV.

[time2roll]

Yes. Been doing this for 15+ years.

[jdc1]

Get one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/Inverter-POLAR-Power-Cigarette-Lighter/dp/B08JCRT8BJ/ref=asc_df_B08JCRT8BJ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475789621573&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2091615609518087249&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9051682&hvtargid=pla-1053576751619&psc=1

[Desert_Captain]

Should be no problem...
While we almost never watch TV there have been a couple of times when weather kept us indoors for most of the day so wee watched a game orDVD to pass the time. I bought my 150 watt cigarette lighter style inverter in 1994 {for use on a boat trip to Mexico} and paid about $100 for it. It still works just fine and will run our Vizio 32" LED flatscreen TV AND the DVD player with no issues.

As noted above running a generator just to watch TV is less than neighborly {trying to be polite here} and a close second on the self-absorbed scale are folks who run the genny just to make a cup of coffee... Seriously??? :S

:R

[CA_Traveler]

Get a PSW (pure sine wave) inverter.

[Lwiddis]

Use your inverter. Suggest only PSW however. My 28 inch 120 volt TV uses 45 watts. Add in the antenna booster and inverter loss…about 60 watts. Decent batteries…you are all set.

[2oldman]

Thank you for considering this, and yes, an inverter is a much-preferred way to watch tv. I admit I get a bit peeved when near someone who has to run a generator to watch tv.

[wa8yxm]

Have done it using a 2,000 watt true sine wave. NOTE if your 200 watt is an MSW (many are) it may work just fine. or not... (MSW can cause "Radio interference" all the way up into UHF television land.... Or not... Depending on how well built you won't know till you try).

One thing to consider is how much power it sucks. With batteries we talk about amp horus and the USABLE power can be as low as 25% of the battery's C/20 rating (IE 25 amp horus for most Group 27/29 size) or as high as 50% for True Deep cycle (like over 100 amp hours for a pair of GC-2 Or nearly 100% for LiFePo4.

If the TV draws 100watts that's about 1 amp at 120 volt and about 10 at 12 volt. so 100 amp hours of battery would run it about 2 horus.

[LouLawrence]

You should not have any problems running the TV. If you can, look at the back of the TV (or the instruction manual) and it should give you the watts used. It should be very low. Use a good sized wire between the 12V source and keep that as short as possible.

[Skibane]

Generally, using an inverter to power the TV works well - particularly now that modern RV-sized TVs only draw 10-20 watts of power.

One possible problem arises if you're trying to receive broadcast TV signals (i.e., signals from local TV transmitters, received with a TV antenna).

Many inverters produce electrical noise which can interfere with these signals.

The weaker the TV signal, the greater the chance of interference from the inverter.

[Fresno_Tundra_D]

I’ve have two group 27 batteries with a 300 watt inverter and have successfully watched our 21 inch flat panel tv wherever we camp that gets over the air channels. I think you’ll be able to as well