Vector Power Inverter to Run TV?

[herons]

I have a 400 watt inverter that I hoped to use with a small Samsung (24") flat screen TV when not on shore power. Will this work or is there a chance of damaging the electronics by using an inverter?

I'll be camping in a new Scamp with the battery pack 24 and their 30 amp power converter on board.

Or is it best to just purchase a small AC/DC television?

Peg

[Bob Miller]

It usually won't damage the TV running it on an inverter as the first thing that usually happens is that the incoming power is changed to DC and filtered inside the set.


BUT: What has been seen is "Noise" in both sound and picture from less expensive inverters. A "pure sine wave" inverter is nicer, but a good quality "modified sine wave" unit should be fine.

[Glenn Baglo]

I'd worry that there wouldn't be room for me and the 24"TV in the trailer at the same time.
Just buy a DC TV in an appropriate size.

[Bob Miller]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

I'd worry that there wouldn't be room for me and the 24"TV in the trailer at the same time.
Just buy a DC TV in an appropriate size.

But Glen, he didn't invite you to join him, or is that TMI !!! (LOL)

Beside that, most 12VDC TV's are off brand and overly expensive.

[Glenn Baglo]

I've got a 13" HD flat screen that came with 12VDC and 120VAC cords. Cost $129 up here in Canada where most things cost more. Can't comment on picture and sound quality since it lives in a box under the bed in the trailer.

[Bob Miller]

Please share the make and model number, but at that price, it really doesn't have to work at all.... LOL


But a 13" screen is kinda tiny..... we have a 22" in the Hunter and could use one a little bigger.

[Glenn Baglo]

I looked it up, but it appears 20" is the smallest they make now. Web site suggests they have moved up-market.
Think mine is actually 15".

seiki | simply brilliant

[Bob Miller]

Here's a site with a bunch of 12 volt TV's in all sizes.
12 Volt TV, TV/DVD Combo, 12 Volt Digital TV - My 12 Volt Store


But if he already bought the 24" model he shoul d be fine with the inverter.

[MarkyVasquez]

I have a Samsung 22" TV and it has an 18V DC adapter. I went to the local electronic store and got a lighter plug adapter and it worked great. The TV says 18V but it worked on 12V. Does your Samsung have a brick on the cord?

Sent from my Z987 using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[stude]

Originally Posted by herons

I have a 400 watt inverter that I hoped to use with a small Samsung (24") flat screen TV when not on shore power. Will this work or is there a chance of damaging the electronics by using an inverter?

I'll be camping in a new Scamp with the battery pack 24 and their 30 amp power converter on board.

Or is it best to just purchase a small AC/DC television?

Peg

we never had a problem using this system though we mainly watched DVD's as most times we were never in range of TV signals and we refuse to pay for Satelite. Reading is my form of entertainment and I believe my wife likes to read to. Lots good ole used book stores out there where you buy books almost free.
Stude

[honda03842]

Peg,

We have run a 22" Vizio TV off a 150 watt cigarette lighter Inverter (Black and Decker $20 at Walmarts) for about 8 years.

This is the cheapest little Inverter you can buy and it works fine without any visible interference in the TV. We used to simultaneously run our Satellite Dish Receiver with the same Inverter.

The LCD TV's draw very little power.

[Bob Miller]

Originally Posted by MarkyVasquez

I have a Samsung 22" TV and it has an 18V DC adapter. I went to the local electronic store and got a lighter plug adapter and it worked great. The TV says 18V but it worked on 12V. Does your Samsung have a brick on the cord?

Sent from my Z987 using Fiberglass RV mobile app

We tried that with an 18 volt VIZIO and it wouldn't even light the screen. But the VizIo's marked 12 volts on the back work just fine on battery.

[redbarron55]

the smaller Best Buys Insignia TV's have 12 volt power supplies and should work on battery power, but I have not yet tried one, however.

[Glen_]

I agree with Honda08342. We power our flat screen from a Canadian Tire 200 watt Eliminator digital power inverter. Works great and much cheaper than a new TV. Just look on the back of the TV to see watts requirement.

[Bob Miller]

The o.p sez he already has a 400 watt inverter.

[honda03842]

I agree that Peg already has an inverter.

I suggested a smaller inverter because there tends to be less power wasted in smaller inverters and to indicate that 150 watts does it easily. Her 400 watt inverter should have no trouble. Our Scamps 24" TV uses 50 watts peak.

[Bob Miller]

The differential power (12V in vs 120V out) on my 400 watt inverter is in the range of 3-5 watts. That may even be more or less than with a less expensive/smaller unit. And the 12 volt plug itself, at 50 watts (4 amps) is a power loss v. hard wiring
FWIW: I think that power losses in modern inverters are pretty much a moot point.