flat screen tv's

[Don Dunsmore]

Thanks Norm and Ed for the "actual use" info you supply. It is appreciated. It's easy to get bogged down with info from the internet and one can become overwhelmed at times. I'm going to go out tomorrow and buy a small inverter like Norm has, hook it and see how it performs.

[GeorgeR]

Some of the inexpensive inverters can cause problems. There are 3 types of inverters: square wave, modified sine wave and pure sine wave. The most inexpensive ones could be square wave. I fried Nikon battery charger with one of them so since I only use pure sine wave. For further reading these are good sites:
Inverter Selection
http://www.homeof12volt.com.au/index...4f9015d4cf3439
From Home of 12V - “…….As a result, powering such equipment with a Modified Sine Wave may cause “grain” or small amount of “snow” on your T.V picture or even a humming noise. Digital appliances with timing devices, light dimmers or variable speed devices such as late model microwaves may not work well or may not even work at all. Modified Sine Inverters will power appliances such as power tools, kitchen appliances charging mobile phones, camera batteries and most T.V’s, DVD players…..”

George.

[CarolMarie]

If one has a tv that can run on 12V then will it be okay to plug into the campground electricity also? I have a Honda generator but not an inverter. (not really understanding inverters)

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by CarolMarie

If one has a tv that can run on 12V then will it be okay to plug into the campground electricity also? I have a Honda generator but not an inverter. (not really understanding inverters)

Yes, when you hook up at a CG you use their 120v electric which your converter converts to 12v for your lights, pump, tv. An inverter will take your 12v and then convert back to 120v. They work but you lose some power in the conversion. I prefer straight 12v items.

[Darwin Maring]

Carol

Should U purchase a new 12VDC TV, It should come with a cord/box to plug it into house power.

[john warren]

Originally Posted by Ed Harris

In over 35 years selling TV's I have NEVER seen a man want a smaller one and rarely seen a Woman want a bigger one.

Just the way it is?

nope,,,,not gonna go there.....nope not gonna do it........

[john warren]

Originally Posted by CarolMarie

If one has a tv that can run on 12V then will it be okay to plug into the campground electricity also? I have a Honda generator but not an inverter. (not really understanding inverters)

hmmm, carol near as i can figure,,,an inverter must invert your picture.....though why you would want your picture upside down is somethin i'll need to ponder on a might bit.

[Panoz77]

Compromise, I think anything in the 27-38" range would be more than enough, power consumption would not be that bad, and keep the price reasonable. I have a 21" TV/DVD combo and it is plenty big.

[Darwin Maring]

John, Just hang the TV upside down.

[Laura June]

Thanks everybody, I got a lot of information to think on, and no I don't want to turn my TV upside down either.

[Mark and Tara]

Wow! Not mean to offense any of you. But um, if you are going to camp, which means to get away from real world of work, crazyness, the arrival of bills in the mail daily, why have a TV for any trailers or any RVs?!? My wife and I avoid TV at any costs when we travel. We want to stick with old fashioned way. They earn it! Hahhaa.

[Mark and Tara]

BTW, I wish all brands out there do not sell TV at all like I do not need radios in automobiles. They should have separated them! I do not listen to radio. I am DEAF! Hahaha. Duh!!

[honda03842]

Mark,

Is it to get away from the real work or to see the world. I ceertainly can understand wanting to get away from TV for a weekend or a vacation, but when you're on the road for 11 months it's nice to be able to be in touch with the world by choice.

As a result we carry a sat dish, Verizon wireless Internet, a great radio and phones. It allows us to choose to on the edge of a canyon in no where Texas, or watching our home state basketball team......

We think we have it all, the wonderous world of travel or any part of the busy world we want to participate in.

In my case it allows me to be on this forum....

[Mark and Tara]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Mark,

Is it to get away from the real work or to see the world. I ceertainly can understand wanting to get away from TV for a weekend or a vacation, but when you're on the road for 11 months it's nice to be able to be in touch with the world by choice.

As a result we carry a sat dish, Verizon wireless Internet, a great radio and phones. It allows us to choose to on the edge of a canyon in no where Texas, or watching our home state basketball team......

We think we have it all, the wonderous world of travel or any part of the busy world we want to participate in.

In my case it allows me to be on this forum....

Honda, then you must have TV because you are living off the grid or on the road and not settled in a house. I can understand that. No problem. There are lifers living in RVs and others as Workamping so a TV is a must.

Even for those living in more dangerous areas such as Tornado Alley or the Flooding Zones or the Hurricane or even the fire Zones. Then TV/Radio are a must in case of emergencies.

But then there are cell phones you can do that. Ha.

Speaking of it, it is Cell phone and internet/computer Era since 1980's.... people can watch tv programs or movies on their computers or cell phones.. talk on the net.. and need to have one or both for GPS or trip planning next day in case they do last minute route changes due to road work or accident.

Funny, last night at Daytona 500, there was a big crash and all cars stopped. Then some of the drivers were twitting or talking on cell phones waiting for the fire and clean up finish. That helps to talk with family members that they are ok after that crash to calm them down or call their crews, whatever.

I understand the necessities but let my wife have her cell phone in case we need to call the AAA. That is all. Last year, on our trip to Lake George for a paranormal expo, we were able to use her cell to let me know where we have to go to be sure since the map on the computer showed a bit different before the trip. We got a clear one and she tells me go right or left.. no problem.

[honda03842]

Mark,

We carry one other electronic gizmo I didn't mention...a SPOT.

Sometimes we're way out and there's no way to call AAA or anyone, no Internet, nothing and very little road traffic. In parts of Labrador you did not see another vehicle for hours. One time we just stopped in the middle of the highway and had lunch. Simply no one comes along....

SPOT has three buttons on it.

Push the first button and it reports your position on the earth via Goggle Earth to your friends and family. Push a second button and it tell a couple of trusted people where you are and that you need help but are in no danger. Push the 3rd button and they send the Royal Mounted Police to rescue you.

We bought this button for our cross Labrador trip. ONe high school computer class tracked our trip. However, the best part was that our friends got to see exactly where we were. It also has the ability to report your position continuously as you hike off in to the wilderness.

It turns out that it's not really needed for Labrador because when you start your cross Labrador trip you can go to a hotel and pick up an emergency Satellite phone and return it at the end of the road...there is no charge for this service.

The SPOT works by sending a signal up to a satellite and then the satellite transmits a return signal to CA. From their your position is broadcast depending on the priority to others. It also works on the water, actually most anywhere on earth.



A very cold device and it works on two AA batteries.

[Darwin Maring]

If I wanted to get away from it all, I would pack a small tent and accessories in a backpack and hike to the wilderness.
(Did stuff like that for many years in the Army)

Now, I want a warm/cool camper with Shower, flush toilet, TV and any other comfortable item I can think of.

[steve dunham]

My wife and I have been looking at small TV for our Scamp . We don't want it for just sitting around and watching TV for hour on hour but more for watching the news and weather in the morning or at night. I see no harm to the camping culture by watching a DVD on a cold rainy evening or using a TV to check on approaching bad weather. I have seen many campers sit and play on their laptops or their kids playing electronic games all day. Is that camping? I know camping for me, now that I am in my 60's has a different definition than when I was in my 20's

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by CNYEggerstobe

I understand the necessities but let my wife have her cell phone in case we need to call the AAA. .

Over my travels in the past year alone I can think of various locations (including a few state and national parks) where I had no cellphone reception - probable about a quarter of my total time spent camping in the USA was without cellphone reception. One should not count on it in emergencies when traveling outside of many urban areas in NA.

The Spot the Norm mentions is one of the top selling items these days for back country hikers & skiers in my area - was actually in December on one of the big outdoor magazines top 10 list of items you should own if you spend time in the great outdoors.

[BCDave]

Originally Posted by Darwin Maring

Now, I want a warm/cool camper with Shower, flush toilet, TV and any other comfortable item I can think of.

Eggs - zakly!

There is NO WAY that I would ever consider subjecting my wife and myself to a trip sans the luxuries. Much rather just not go at all!

[Darwin Maring]

After think it over I have come up with the following definitions:

Camping: Pack a small tent and accessories in a backpack and hike to the wilderness.

RVing: Taking all my comforts of home along with me in a Recreational Vehicle connected to my tow vehicle. My Potty, My shower, My furnace, My air conditioning, my Queen Sized Bed, my cook top, High Definition TV, my WiFi enabled personal Computer, the things I like to eat (Hay - Did I leave anything out?)