I couldn't find an answer in my A/S manuals so I'll ask here if you don't mind. I have a 2005 Safari 25'SS with the audio upgrade package. Last week we were dry camping at Sequoia N.P. and I tried to play a DVD for the kids but the TV wouldn't come on, although the DVD audio was playing through the speakers.
When I returned home and plugged my trailer into a 120v outlet the TV powers up fine. I looked again last night and the TV is a 12v unit (Panasonic Aquos).
Will the TV in fact operate on 12 volts from the batteries only? Is there something wrong with my wiring that I should have rectified before the warranty is up?
Erik-
Greetings! Your LCD screen needs 120V to operate. It is not a 12V system. You may want to get yourself an inverter or a generator. An inverter will drain our system pretty fast with a 2 hour movie and if you plan on a lot of boondocking and needing the creature home comforts a generator is the thing to get.
__________________ J. Rick Cipot Sandi Gould NEUNew England Unit Airstream Life Magazine WBCCI #3411 AIR #17099 2009 Silverado 2500HD 2004 22' Safari 1960 24' Tradewind
You need an inverter to run it. A couple of hours will drain the batteries down quickly though. I bought a pocket converter and plug the monitor electric cord into it and then into the 12 volt receptacle there. You didn't get the 600 watt inverter option I am assuming.
I got one of these. Will also run the laptop or other various devices in truck and Airstream.
Some of the smaller LCD TV'S are 12v DC, they just come with a "brick" transformer that plugs into a 110V AC outlet. You could replace the transformer/cord with a 12V cord - you might have to make one with the proper ends. I recall reading that someone on the list did this.
I would like to buy an LCD TV with a built-in DVD player, and wire it up this way.
I have a 9" crt tv/vcr combo that runs on either 12v or 110. Haven't seen them in stores lately. makes me glad I bought it when I did...
You don't see them in the stores because the industry is phasing out the tv/vcr combos now because the movie technology is moving away from VCR's. The latest rage is the tv/dvd combo. Come on Chuck...got to keep up with the times!
Some of the smaller LCD TV'S are 12v DC, they just come with a "brick" transformer that plugs into a 110V AC outlet. You could replace the transformer/cord with a 12V cord - you might have to make one with the proper ends. I recall reading that someone on the list did this.
I would like to buy an LCD TV with a built-in DVD player, and wire it up this way.
If such a tv exists, then why don't rv manufacturers use those, instead of 110v models? I guess they must figure that new airstream (millionaire) buyers never do anything other than "30-amp-camping".
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yukionna
You don't see them in the stores because the industry is phasing out the tv/vcr combos now because the movie technology is moving away from VCR's. The latest rage is the tv/dvd combo. Come on Chuck...got to keep up with the times!
Its not the "vcr" part thats the issue; its the "12V" part.
I'd love one that had dvd instead of vcr...but I don't think they exist, either. or at least, I haven't seen them.
I'd love one that had dvd instead of vcr...but I don't think they exist, either. or at least, I haven't seen them.
Yes, they do exist and they are slick. The DVD loads vertically in a pop out side drawer. Sure beats dragging along a DVD player too. No 12 volt though.
Just go to the bestbuy.com or circuitcity.com website and search for "tv/dvd combo". There are plenty of models under $200.
Oh...I missed that part. I wouldn't go as far as to say there aren't any until you have performed an exhaustive search. I would suggest you try a boating online store website or a truck stop. Both the boating industry and truck stops are typically on top of 12 volt technology.
I looked again last night and the TV is a 12v unit .Will the TV in fact operate on 12 volts from the batteries only? Is there something wrong with my wiring that I should have rectified before the warranty is up?
Erik
hi erik
the wiring is fine.
lcd televisions, like lap top computers run on dc current. 12v, 13v, 14v, 18v, 24v are examples.
the inline box that converts ac to dc is more than a basic converter for these systems...
so bypassing the box would be a bad idea,
except on very specific units and then only IF the 12v source is really clean
let the pocket protector crowd do this....
the easiest was to use your tele on 12v trailer battery power is to purchase a small innverter....
140 watts or less, simple round plug and 1-2 ac 'ports'...
radio shack, walmart, best buy and many electronics vendors sell these so laptops can be powered in cars/trucks.
priced from 20$ up...
yes you are now inverting dc to ac and then converting ac back to dc but for smaller loads like lcd teles and computers...
the coach batteries can handle this small load and the exchange losses...
chuck...
it's never safe to assume anything.
YES there ARE direct 12v televisions available too...
Samsung and Polaroid are a couple of other brands that make 12VDC LCD TVs. I have a Polaroid HD LCD TV model FLM-1511. It draws 4 amps at 12VDC.
I have used it very successfully in my Airstream running directly off the solar charged batteries.
I think this is more efficient than putting your 12 volt battery electricity through an inverter to make 110v then back through the wall wart transformer that came with the TV to get 12VDC again.
I don't believe electricity from the Airstream batteries is a concern regarding the question of harmful voltage spikes or surges. Eventually, the voltage could drop so low that there could be a problem, but it is bad practice to run the batteries too low anyway.
__________________ Airstream25 KE5CKG on 2 meters Four Corners Airstream Unit AIR #10274
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