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Old 10-15-2018, 02:37 PM   #1
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120 volt TV versus 12 volt TV for boondocking

Hi,
We are the new owners of a 2013 19 with a neat TV set up, but we spend weeks parked on a Baja beach with only solar power. The TV says it uses 35 watts/120v, so that converts to .3o amps/120v. Does that mean only 3 amps/12v. ?
Or am I far better off to get a 12v TV ? we used our computer last year and solar kept that going.
Also I read the great portable solar connection idea using a 7 pin female connection, but wonder if there is accessible wiring for solar on the 19 rear roof?
I put in dimmers from Amazon last year on the LED lights and they were great at about $3 each. Derek
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Old 10-15-2018, 02:49 PM   #2
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The TV says it uses 35 watts/120v, so that converts to .3o amps/120v. Does that mean only 3 amps/12v. ?
Yes, approximately.
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Old 10-15-2018, 03:01 PM   #3
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Most LED tv's are 12v and if you go here, most come with a 12v adapter 12 volt Truck Accessories at RoadTrucker.com
seems silly and inefficient to convert 12v to 120v to convert back to 12, so I recommend getting a 12v tv.
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Old 10-15-2018, 03:10 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
seems silly and inefficient to convert 12v to 120v to convert back to 12, so I recommend getting a 12v tv.
If you have solar and are at least near full charge every day, the very small amount of energy wasted using an inverter is really a moot point.

I say by the TV that works best for you at the price you like.
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Old 10-15-2018, 03:36 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008;266147
Most LED tv's are 12v and if you go here, most come with a 12v adapter.
Although not all adapters have a rated output of 12 volts. Ours is listed as 16 volts but the TV works just fine.

As I understand it many brands no longer have the external adapter making the choice more limited. Those RV type 12 volt TVs seem to more expensive than one made for general purpose use with an adapter.

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Old 10-15-2018, 03:37 PM   #6
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As long as your battery/s recovering each day I wouldn't worry about it. If not, then you may need to analyze your daily usage.
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Old 10-16-2018, 08:04 AM   #7
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We have a solar panel and the recovery time is very good. We also elected to go without the ETI installed inverter and this works just fine for us when we are dry camping. Accordingly, we elected to go with a 12V TV and it's worked great. It came with a lead that plugged right into a 12V socket, so no extra inverter required. This seemed to me to be such a simpler route, especially as our style of camping was the "KISS" methodology, ie Keep It Simple Sweetheart. No need to worry about extra leads/inverters. For those times when we are hooked up to power, there's no need to change anything, the 12V TV still works great plugged into the 12V socket.
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Old 10-16-2018, 12:19 PM   #8
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i use a small inverted donated to me kindly by a forum member. its just enough for my TV or lap top or other small electric device. If I'm dry camping and using a lot of 120 devices i would bring my generator. Only used it once when i was feeding 50 people and need to run several cooking devices.
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