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Old 07-28-2021, 04:34 PM   #1
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Question 12volt vs 110 on inverter? Does it matter?

Hello, I've seen a number of posts where people suggest getting this or that appliance or TV with a 12 volt plug rather than the standard 110, which would draw through the inverter. Is there a difference in power draw using a 12volt TV, for instance, vs. a 110 TV?
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Old 07-28-2021, 04:38 PM   #2
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Yes

The difference is that in using an inverter there is an efficiency loss, just to operate it. The inverter may be 80%-95% efficient, but a loss none the less. Using 12V direct entails no such energy loss. So 12V is good, and an inverter good and required for 120V AC devices that only operate on that.


Inverters have cooling fans for their electronics and the fans are responsible for much of the energy loss.



As to a TV, you'd have to do the math, using the specifications of the TV model in watts at usage at its rated voltage.
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Old 07-28-2021, 04:39 PM   #3
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It is always preferred to operate a 12v item off 12v as most are 12v items and the "brick" converts 120v to 12v. You do lose some efficiency in the conversion thus my comment.
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Old 07-28-2021, 05:11 PM   #4
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The big difference is now many watts can flow through the plug.. A 12V plug is good for about 300 watts A 110 V outlet with the inverter can handle 1500 watts. So how big is the load you want to run? Read the nameplate on your desired appliance and it is listed.
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Old 07-28-2021, 06:50 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
It is always preferred to operate a 12v item off 12v as most are 12v items and the "brick" converts 120v to 12v. You do lose some efficiency in the conversion thus my comment.
Thanks, your mention of the TVs got me looking for 12v RV TVs and there aren't a lot to choose from, unfortunately. Newer ones use a lot less power, so I wonder if that offsets the issue?
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