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LCD TV 12 volt power cord

mrbreeze_az
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Explorer
I picked up an Insignia 28" LCD TV that has 12 volt input. The TV works well using the residential 120 volt cord that came with it. I bought a 12 volt cord and it powers the TV but has wavy lines going up the screen constantly. Has anyone experienced this? Maybe I need a different power cord? Thanks in advance.
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25 REPLIES 25

Kansas_couple
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I bought an Insignia 24" TV not long ago. Did use it when camper was hooked up to shore power, no issues.

Today I got a 12v cord I've had for a while (came from a car video cassette player that gave up the ghost some time ago) and plugged it into my camper's 12v outlet. Same issue the OP had, some wavy horizontal lines. Probably something I could live with and I also noticed when the volume is up I get a hum which I didn't get with shore power.

I live out in the boonies where there is no over-the-air TV to be had so I couldn't test it with regular antenna TV. I did use my Jensen built-in CD/DVD player and got the aforementioned lines.

So, OP, I'm curious to find out your results.

98coachman
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Explorer
mrbreeze az wrote:
I shortened the cord from 10' to 3'. Need to get to storage to test it. If not I will try Radio Shack. I can't find a heavy duty one on the web. I'll post the results. Thanks everyone!
good luck:W

mrbreeze_az
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Explorer
I shortened the cord from 10' to 3'. Need to get to storage to test it. If not I will try Radio Shack. I can't find a heavy duty one on the web. I'll post the results. Thanks everyone!
2017 Forest River Salem Cruise Light 261 BHXL
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PaulJ2
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Explorer
Try plugging in the trailer to power? Better? Worse? I also think it is power source related. Could be to small cord or circuit wiring starving the tv.
Maybe even poor filtering in the tv's own power supply.

98coachman
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98coachman wrote:
mrbreeze az wrote:
mrbreeze az wrote:
98coachman wrote:
A friend of mine had this exact thing happen. The 12 volt cord he purchased was too small and had to much resistance to make the tv work properly. He picked up a heavy duty 12 volt cord and end of problem. You may also try to shorten your cord as short as possible first to see if that helps.
Good luck, Bill

I am thinking this is the problem. I am trying to find out what cord will work. Is it 6 amp vs 3 amp? I thought I bought a 6 amp cord but maybe a 3 amp. It doesn't say on the cord.


Can you find out what cord he bought? Thanks
I'm not sure, but fairly short and heavy leads, so no line loss, I think I would try shortening your cord you have first, but I will check with him and let you know. Radio shack may be your friend:).
Bill
He didn't know the brand; sorry :S How did you come out with your problem with the tv????:@ Let us know.
Thanks, Bill

ReferDog
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TV brand might have something to do with it.
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98coachman
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mrbreeze az wrote:
mrbreeze az wrote:
98coachman wrote:
A friend of mine had this exact thing happen. The 12 volt cord he purchased was too small and had to much resistance to make the tv work properly. He picked up a heavy duty 12 volt cord and end of problem. You may also try to shorten your cord as short as possible first to see if that helps.
Good luck, Bill

I am thinking this is the problem. I am trying to find out what cord will work. Is it 6 amp vs 3 amp? I thought I bought a 6 amp cord but maybe a 3 amp. It doesn't say on the cord.


Can you find out what cord he bought? Thanks
I'm not sure, but fairly short and heavy leads, so no line loss, I think I would try shortening your cord you have first, but I will check with him and let you know. Radio shack may be your friend:).
Bill

All_I_could_aff
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Explorer
Do you have a booster box with a 12 V receptacle you could try powering TV off of while hooked up to camper antenna or DVD to try to isolate if it is interference in the powerline
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All_I_could_aff
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How much wattage is the tv? My 22 inch is about 20 watts, not even 2 amps at 12Volts
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budwich
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mrbreeze az wrote:
budwich wrote:
OP, what is your input source? Depending on what it is, you might have a grounding issue.

It does it with the DVD and with the air antenna. It is not the input source.

hmmm.... all those have additional power inputs (if you are using the trailer antenna, it goes thru a powered amplifier and the dvd player is obviously powered in some fashion) which when connected to your set "impart" a "signal condition" which may be compromised by poor grounding... basically, some form of ground loop.

the reason that you don't see the issue with the 120v "cable" / adapter is that it likely has some form of isolation built in to it (usually a transformer), hence the ground loop is broken.

mrbreeze_az
Explorer
Explorer
mike-s wrote:
Is this when watching a TV channel, or do you have another video device like a DVD player sourcing the video, and how is it connected?

"Wavy lines" are not a symptom associated with a digital video issue. My guess is either you're using an analog connection (RCA jack - composite video), or the 12V power isn't steady and is effecting the backlight of the TV. If you're using composite video, change to an HDMI connection if possible.

All I have is the RCA jacks coming from the Radio/DVD player (factory install) so HDMI is out of the question. I still think it is the power source.
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mrbreeze_az
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Explorer
budwich wrote:
OP, what is your input source? Depending on what it is, you might have a grounding issue.

It does it with the DVD and with the air antenna. It is not the input source.
2017 Forest River Salem Cruise Light 261 BHXL
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mrbreeze_az
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mrbreeze az wrote:
98coachman wrote:
A friend of mine had this exact thing happen. The 12 volt cord he purchased was too small and had to much resistance to make the tv work properly. He picked up a heavy duty 12 volt cord and end of problem. You may also try to shorten your cord as short as possible first to see if that helps.
Good luck, Bill

I am thinking this is the problem. I am trying to find out what cord will work. Is it 6 amp vs 3 amp? I thought I bought a 6 amp cord but maybe a 3 amp. It doesn't say on the cord.


Can you find out what cord he bought? Thanks
2017 Forest River Salem Cruise Light 261 BHXL
2005 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 Lariat

mrbreeze_az
Explorer
Explorer
98coachman wrote:
A friend of mine had this exact thing happen. The 12 volt cord he purchased was too small and had to much resistance to make the tv work properly. He picked up a heavy duty 12 volt cord and end of problem. You may also try to shorten your cord as short as possible first to see if that helps.
Good luck, Bill

I am thinking this is the problem. I am trying to find out what cord will work. Is it 6 amp vs 3 amp? I thought I bought a 6 amp cord but maybe a 3 amp. It doesn't say on the cord.
2017 Forest River Salem Cruise Light 261 BHXL
2005 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 Lariat