Community Forums

DudePa · 05-07-2014, 01:16 PM

Hello all, new to the forum and motor home ownership. We recently purchased a 2004 Tiffin Allegro 30DA, in great shape, with only 22k miles on it, with a Ford drive train. This is our first RV since a pop-up we bought new in 1987.

I will be upgrading the TV soon, it still has the original "boat anchor" 26" Panasonic above the dash. I plan to remove the huge box and make a smaller one, and use a new 32" LED TV. My question.. is it better to go AC/DC TV, or a regular 120 volt, with a 12 volt to 120 volt power converter? Also, any recommendations on what brand TV to use? Does one brand perform better than others in the RV world?

Thanks for any and all advice!

cochise1949 · 05-07-2014, 02:30 PM

In looking at new rigs at RV shows, it seems that manufacturers use several brands. Our new Winnebago has Samsung and Insignia(Best Buy) TVs. I don't believe that "Made for RV" TVs actually are. Mounts may be a different question. As far as 12v vs 120....it is an Inverter that makes 120v out of 12v. I haven't seen larger Class As that had 12v TVs installed at the factory. I always figure that the factory does things for a reason though, sometimes the reason is just to cut costs.

garykk · 05-07-2014, 03:59 PM

Is your Mh equipped with an inverter? Be surprised if its not.

UFO Pilot · 05-07-2014, 04:11 PM

I have Sharp. Samsung and Vizio TV's in my MH. All have performed well.

Selah · 05-07-2014, 04:17 PM

My guess is that if you do have an inverter is is most likely a modified sine wave. The newer flat screen TVs may not function on a MSW inverter. You may need to upgrade the inverter to a Pure Sine Wave inverter.
Be sure to check that out before doing any real work.

Mr. M · 05-07-2014, 04:23 PM

I think you'll find that the 12v TVs are not as high quality, or as feature complete, as the name brand regular 110v Televisions.

But consider the conditions under which you will watch TV. I bought a 12v, but normally plug in or inverter will do the trick. Next time I would by a name brand regular HDTV.

paz · 05-08-2014, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garykk

Is your Mh equipped with an inverter? Be surprised if its not.

Inverters were not available on older Allegros. If there is one, it was an add-on.

paz · 05-08-2014, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DudePa

Hello all, new to the forum and motor home ownership. We recently purchased a 2004 Tiffin Allegro 30DA, in great shape, with only 22k miles on it, with a Ford drive train. This is our first RV since a pop-up we bought new in 1987.

I will be upgrading the TV soon, it still has the original "boat anchor" 26" Panasonic above the dash. I plan to remove the huge box and make a smaller one, and use a new 32" LED TV. My question.. is it better to go AC/DC TV, or a regular 120 volt, with a 12 volt to 120 volt power converter? Also, any recommendations on what brand TV to use? Does one brand perform better than others in the RV world?

Thanks for any and all advice!

I would go with a standard residential TV and add a small inverter to power it. That way, you will have many more TVs to choose from. A small PSW inverter (300-400 watts) won't be that expensive because it won't have to have charging capabilities. You can continue to use the charger on your converter for the house batteries.

BTW, when removing the overhead TV, the front frame is held in place by 2 long screws through each of the side cabinets. The screws go into "wings" on the front frame that extend back into the cabinet. Also be aware the front TV weighs over 60 lbs, so have a helper available to get it down. One of you will have to hold the TV about chest high while the other snakes the power cord out from the side cabinet and disconnects the coax.

DudePa · 05-08-2014, 06:26 AM

Thanks to all for the tips and advice, very helpful!

There is no inverter currently, I plan to use a small 160 watt inverter that I already have, just for the TV.

paz - I was quite puzzled how the front panel was mounted, I discovered the 4 long screws holding the front frame in place after searching posts on this forum... I knew the screws were there (4 per side) but was hesitant to remove them before knowing what they were holding, could have gone badly...

paz · 05-08-2014, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DudePa

Thanks to all for the tips and advice, very helpful!

There is no inverter currently, I plan to use a small 160 watt inverter that I already have, just for the TV.

paz - I was quite puzzled how the front panel was mounted, I discovered the 4 long screws holding the front frame in place after searching posts on this forum... I knew the screws were there (4 per side) but was hesitant to remove them before knowing what they were holding, could have gone badly...

Of the 4 screws per side, 2 hold the cabinets together (I think they're the dark ones), and the 2 long ones hold the frame. Don't worry about removing the wrong screws. The cabinets won't fall down because they are also firmly screwed to a metal strip imbedded in the ceiling.

wa8yxm · 05-08-2014, 10:14 AM

Better to go AC or DC..

Good question: If you boondock a lot a 12 volt TV is more efficient than a 120 volt with a power brick, this is because conversion from 12 volt to 120 volt is only at best 90% efficient and conversion back to 12, about the same. HOWEVER some folks believe that the 13.6 to 14.6 volt system in a motor home (it is not really 12) may damage a sensitive TV.. Me... NOTE: I do not belong to that school. But then my 12 volt TV is really a 14 volt TV. (Samsung).

If you do not boondock a lot. Go with the 120 volt THat is what I did.

hydro45640 · 05-08-2014, 10:43 AM

WE BOUGHT A 32 INCH TV DURING WALMART'S BLACK FRIDAY SALE FOR $100.00. WORKS GREAT AND IT IS A HDTV. i WOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER A 12 VOLT TV BECAUSE OF THE COST.
IF MY CHEAP ONE BREAKS, I WILL THROW IT AWAY AND GET A NEW ONE.

Melmoses · 05-08-2014, 01:54 PM

But you better have a helper! Those boat anchors are heavy and when you pull out the screws someone has to hold the thing while you unhook the wires. What puzzles me about this is the need for an inverter. On my 2004 the TV plug worked off shore power. I didn't have it on while driving. So unless you need to operate while driving you should just be able to plug the new one into the old plug. New draws less power than old. I replaced mine without an inverter addition.

RickO · 05-08-2014, 02:03 PM

I would certainly not go with a 12v/120v unit.... Instead, I would just look for an LED/LCD set because they are so much thinner and lighter. Measure the opening you have to fill and then go to Amazon to check the dimensions of the various sets available.

Rick