Television need to be 12v?

[TwinSac]

I am looking at getting a new TT in a few months. I see the TV option is around $500. With LCD TV prices below $200, it seems like I would like to get a better TV AND save money.

Is having a 12v TV necessary? What are it's benefits? I'm just getting started so apologize for silly questions.

[V3600]

TV's are the same voltage as the one's in your home. In fact, they are the same TV's as in your home; no difference. Shop around.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by V3600

TV's are the same voltage as the one's in your home. In fact, they are the same TV's as in your home; no difference. Shop around.

But then you need a battery and inverter to run them or be connected to shore power, otherwise they need to be 12V TV's. Lots of RV's don't have the battery capacity nor an inverter. The OP needs to find out if he has both so he could use a standard home TV.

[vsheetz]

Find out what you are getting for the $500.00. Could be more than just the TV. OTA antenna, OTA amplifier, wiring, inverter, etc.

[LarryH1481]

I upgraded my motorhome to a Samsung 32" Smart (Wi-Fi) LED HDTV and Blu-Ray DVD player. These are 115v AC devices, powered with the Generator or shore power. Most of our camping had been at private campgrounds with electricity.

I started camping at State/National Park Campgrounds with no electric hookups and decided to install a 12vdc-to-115vac Pure Sine Inverter (Wagan Pro 400watt). I wired/power the Inverter off my house batteries to power the LED TV, DVD and Laptop. This gives me the flexibility to choose my power source and boondock, with TV/DVD. My Winegard HD antenna & booster are standard 12vdc powered.

Happy camping!

[dhughes126]

I got a 24" TV from Amazon for my new Nash TT that can run on either 12V or 110v. I noted that getting a larger size TV made the 12V option disappear. It even has a builtin DVD player. It was about $200.

[kalynzoo]

What does $500 get you. Does it include instillation and the lift system for a built in cabinet? Does it include surround sound? Or is everything in place and you only need to add the TV?

[wa8yxm]

TV option: Some TV's are more pricey than others and I'll discuss some thoughts on voltage later but it is the OPTION. You need to ask what the TV OPTION includes.

For example... My RV has not only TV's (Came with 2, now has 3 will pick up a 4th some day) but it also has an OVER THE AIR ANTENNA (you want a Winegard Sensar IV with Sensar Pro for that, nothing comes even close to that combination) and a SWITCH, at the minimum a "Cable/Ant" switch (The Sensor Pro does this) but you might want a Matrix Switch, and also a DVR may be included. (VCR in the old days)

Finally you have the Satellit TV option (Always a seperate option)

The ANTENNA is mandatory if you want to watch TV in the RV in a campground that does not offer Partk Cable.. .

So ask what all the TV option includes.

NOW.. the TV.

I have a Samsung that likes 14 volt. Gets it from a power brick (120ac IN 14DC out) many use 12 volt bricks,, Theory is any of these can run on 12 volt battery power directly. Some people with 12 volt units though seem to think the 13.6 float or the 14.X charging voltage is enough to damage the TV. (My Samsung should be happy at 15.5 volt) This is somehthing to consider when choosing.

Of course I also have a big inverter that runs everyting I need 120 volt type off the batteries.. But I also have a lot of battery.

[Some1]

The 12v TV allows you to use it with out being plugged in is all so it runs off the coach battery when no shore power is available. Instead of a normal 2 or 3 prong plug it has the cigarette lighter kind.

Also if it were to be stolen the thieves are going to be up that certain creek with out a paddle

[justafordguy]

I think most new campers that come with TVs use a standard 120v home type TV. My Gateway came with 4 TVs standard and all are regular 120v home type TVs.

Like was said above, find out what the TV option comes with, if it's just the TV, you should just buy your own.

[TwinSac]

Thanks for all of the replies. The Jay Feather comes satellite and cable ready. I think the TV option is just for the TV and installation ($480 for 32").

So if I could sum up... 12v would allow the TV to run off the battery. Normal 3 prong TV needs power from camp or generator. I need a genny and looking at champion's 3100 for upgrading the AC to 15k. So maybe I'll just get my own TV from Amazon.

[justafordguy]

One more piece of information, many of the 120v Home type TVs use an adapter to convert 120v AC to 12v DC anyway. You could probably run the 120v home type TV from the 12v battery if you wanted to. You would just need to make an special power cable with the correct connectors.

[Monster99]

My LED HDTV is from Best Buy it is their Insignia brand and it is 12volts. The power cord changes the 115volts ac to 12 volts dc. You can buy the 12 volt cord separate

[schrederman]

And, if you're like me, and don't stay where they don't have shore power... it's a non-issue.