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Old 10-18-2021, 09:31 AM   #1
In The Long Run
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TV Question

If I have a DC powered TV will it operate on shore power or is it battery only? Would it be better to buy a AC TV and a small inverter? Want a 40" smart but seems difficult to find in DC. Thanks appreciate any input.
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Old 10-18-2021, 09:43 AM   #2
sourdough
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"If" you have a DC TV? DO you have a DC TV?? I don't know that you're going to find a DC smart TV of 40". What is your objective - are you wanting to camp without AC power but still watch a smart TV? How long etc.?
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Old 10-18-2021, 09:44 AM   #3
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A standard AC TV running off an inexpensive small inverter would be a lot less expensive.
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Old 10-18-2021, 11:48 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sourdough View Post
"If" you have a DC TV? DO you have a DC TV?? I don't know that you're going to find a DC smart TV of 40". What is your objective - are you wanting to camp without AC power but still watch a smart TV? How long etc.?
Well, it's not smart, but it showed up right on top of the DDG search results for "DC powered TV":

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Free-Sign...-Use/984359043

But you'd have to get that one used. This one is still available new:

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-TV/Jensen/JTV4015DC.html

Frankly, I've found "smart" TVs a mistake. After a year or so, their apps get outdated and either cannot or will not be updated. Cheap dongles like Roku or Firestick that you can replace as needed are the way to go.
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Old 10-18-2021, 11:51 AM   #5
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Agreed, AC TV and run it from an inverter when not on shore power.

When I tested my system I had two 6v CG2 batteries, 48” furrion tv and a 500w inverter. The batteries went to minimum (50%) after about 8 hours.

That would mean after 8 hours I would not have any power for lights or furnace, or refer or anything, so I never use for more than a couple hours so I have plenty of power for overnight.
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Old 10-18-2021, 12:01 PM   #6
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$600 for a 40" 12v dc TV? Nope, a good 40" smart TV can be had for $150-$300. A 300 watt converter is <$100 for a good pure sine wave unit. Seems like a no brainer to me.
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Old 10-18-2021, 06:07 PM   #7
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A standard AC TV running off an inexpensive small inverter would be a lot less expensive.
I think that is the direction I m headed. Thanks to all who responded.
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Old 10-19-2021, 08:35 PM   #8
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What is the minimum watt inverter I would need. Again thanks to everyone who responded. Great info.
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Old 10-20-2021, 03:28 AM   #9
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What is the minimum watt inverter I would need. Again thanks to everyone who responded. Great info.
Just for the tv? Or for the tv and other 120v ac appliances?
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Old 10-21-2021, 06:13 PM   #10
In The Long Run
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Just for the tv? Or for the tv and other 120v ac appliances?
For the TV only.
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Old 10-21-2021, 06:34 PM   #11
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Look at the TV, it will list power consumption. Most TVs in RV’s draw about 15-20 watts. I have installed numerous 100w inverters wired to the nearest 12V source with no issues.
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Old 10-28-2021, 12:06 PM   #12
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Modern LED TVs use very little power and can be run off a small inverter. I run a 40 in. and I use a dedicated 12v battery just for that purpose and then charge it up when it gets low. But if you don't want the hassle, just plug your inverter into your rv batteries via a cigarette lighter and it will draw very little juice.
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Old 10-28-2021, 12:14 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by In The Long Run View Post
If I have a DC powered TV will it operate on shore power or is it battery only? Would it be better to buy a AC TV and a small inverter? Want a 40" smart but seems difficult to find in DC. Thanks appreciate any input.
Usually a 12vDC TV will comes with a 120vAC to 12vDC stepdown transformer. Or, it will come with a 12vDC cigarettes socket plug. I would check to find out what power adapter accessories come with the unit before buying.

Recently my friend bought an older motorhome that did not come with an inverter. Her 40" 120vAC TV worked fine using shore power, but when boondocking she had to buy a small 400watt 12vdc to 120vAC inverter that she plugged into her storage batteries and ran the TV off of them. A small 40" TV amperage is only about 35-40 watts. An average flooded single 12v battery (100ah) usually has about 1200 watts of storage capacity if completely drained. Not wise to drain it completely, but 50% drain would give you 600 watts, or about 15hrs of TV time.
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Old 10-28-2021, 05:09 PM   #14
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I have a 42" TV that I bought at Best Buy a couple of years ago that runs off of 12VDC. It has a "brick" power supply in the power cord to change 120VAC to 12VDC. I made up a cord with the coaxial connector to plug into 12VDC and it runs the TV just great, then when power is available I simply change the cord. You might try there.
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