Community Forums

lhunterMT · 07-25-2015, 09:33 PM

Hi, New to this so hope I am doing it right.
We are looking to buy a tv for our 5th wheel. We run on solar and are usually off grid camping. We would like to know what is the best tv out there to buy for our style camping. What have you had the best of luck with r. Tv's?

Scarab0088 · 07-26-2015, 12:40 AM

12VDC TV 's are available...just do an internet search.

We have a 15" Naxa brand from a mail order warehouse...it was very afforable and is actually AC/DC with 2 power sources.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f121/outl...ml#post1717156

And, there are many TV's that run on 12VDC...sold with a wall wart transformer (external power adapter) like many models under the Insignia brand at Best Buy....affordable and available. All you have to do is make a 12vdc power cable for it.

I generally stay away from all-in-one electronics, because when one part stops working, you are replacing 2 pieces-in-one

A stand-alone DVD could be a very inexpensive thing if you look for a portable DVD like for use in a car...just plug it in to the RV's system as you would any DVD. But, portables typically have 3 way power AC/DC/Battery.

Best luck

mangy dog · 07-26-2015, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lhunterMT

Hi, New to this so hope I am doing it right.
We are looking to buy a tv for our 5th wheel. We run on solar and are usually off grid camping. We would like to know what is the best tv out there to buy for our style camping. What have you had the best of luck with r. Tv's?

Why not try a truck stop? Many larger truck stops have some of the sets running. The volume on many is low for my old ears. I use 12 volt powered speakers from Goodwill that plug into the headphone jack.

If truckstop units didn't stand bouncing on the road, the drivers would be returning them.

I bought my Naxa combo at one a couple of years ago. If you don't like it bring it back. I bought an item that didn't work well at one Pilot and returned it at another a few hundred miles away.

You'll save a few pennies buying online but why take the chance.

mangy dog

Waiter21 · 07-26-2015, 03:58 PM

In your search, you may want to stop by Walmart or other electronic places. Often, 120 volt TVs will work on 12 volts, but they aren't marketed or sold as such.

Here is a short article I wrote that shows what to look for and how to make it work.

Will a 120 volt TV work on 12 volts DC – MAYBE | 2001 Coachmen Mirada 300QB

..

wa8yxm · 07-26-2015, 04:28 PM

DVD. if you do not mind the incovinence I got a portable DVD at Dollar General last year for fifty bucks on sale.. This is a small "Walkman CD" size unit but I think it came with all the needed cables to feed a TV (If not you can get them elsewhere)

I use it in my car as a CD player.. Best portable CD I've ever had bar NONE.. but it can do DVDs too.

Jim A · 07-26-2015, 09:16 PM

You can also buy a small inverter that will plug into a cigarette lighter or can be hard wired to a 12 volt source, and allow you to use a 120 volt TV or DVD player. That will give you more options. Small inverters are relatively cheap. Just check the wattage ratings of the inverter and the TV or DVD player to make sure it can handle it. LED TV's are pretty low in wattage.