LCD/DVD FOR TT, ETC.

[kingquad]

I had a conversation with a friend in regard to a portable tv. I have found a decent size LCD/DVD tv that is 12 volt and 110ac. He seems th think just getting an ac unit and buy an invertor to convert 12volt DC to 110AC. any thoughts out there?
Basic use would be boondocking and hunting with no ac power.
Thanks

[kingquad]

I had a conversation with a friend in regard to a portable tv. I have found a decent size LCD/DVD tv that is 12 volt and 110ac. He seems th think just getting an ac unit and buy an invertor to convert 12volt DC to 110AC. any thoughts out there?
Basic use would be boondocking and hunting with no ac power.
Thanks

[RV Wizard]

If you are going to use 12 volt most of the time it will be more efficient to stay at 12 volt than to waste energy on conversion form 12 to 120 volt ac.

[kingquad]

that is what I think also.Maybe picture quality?
I guess I will ask him again

["007"]

When I installed my LCD in bedroom I was surprised to see the power input was 12 volts. Was almost tempted to supply a 12 volt ckt to the location. Would have to see a wiring diagram to see which pin is the 12 volt. They use to have 12 volt TV'S in bedrooms but haven't seen them wire lately.

[kingquad]

I talked with my friend about the tv. He based his decision on repair costs. I wonder what would cost more to fix, an 110ac tv or a tv that is 12 volts dc?

[alvinc]

I suspect that the repair costs for either(110VAC or 12VDC) will be about the same. In fact unless the TV cost more than $200 it would likely be cheaper to toss it and buy another one.

On a slightly different subject regarding 120VAC and 12VDC appliances. Many people have noticed that some of the 120VAC appliances use a 12VDC power supply. They then reason that they can just hook the appliance up to their 12VDC RV system.

I would strongly caution against this. Unless the appliance specifically comes with a cigarette ligher adaptor or states in the documentation that it can be wired to a automobile 12VDC system, DO NOT DO IT.

Why? The power from a cigarette lighter can vary from 10 to 14 volts, at least. The power coming from the power supply that came with the appliance is 12VDC, but it is regulated and is unlikely to vary more than 1 volt, if that. The wild swings and noise on the automotive 12VDC may be more than the appliance can stand.

The rule of thumb I use is:

a) If it comes with cigarette lighter adaptor, its ok.

b) If the documentation states that automotive power is ok, or the range of acceptable input power is 10-18 volts DC.

c) Otherwise, use the 120VAC power supply through an inverter. OR, buy a DC to DC Converter. They are not much more expensive than an inverter, $38 for a 50 watt unit (4.2 amps 12VDC). An example can be found at Computronics and it can handle between 9.2-18 VDC.