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120ac to 12volt transformer for camping tv


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In short, Yes, but not recommended.  You can cut the plug off your TV's power inverter and wire it directly to the battery and get power as long as the TV does in fact use 12v.  

 

The problems you will encounter: 

- voltage drops and spikes in a running vehicle can have radical effects on the TV, potentially even frying it. 

- as the battery drains with the vehicle off, the voltage won't stay a consistent 12v and likely the TV won't stay on long

- the amperage likely will be different than the TV requires.  If it is close, it will work but again, the slight variation in amperage could have ill effects on the TV. 

- I'm sure there is more potential issues I'm not thinking of. 

 

Your best bet is to just get a power inverter.  The more expensive ones are much more capable, some even run power tools with no issues so it may be a worthwhile investment for you to research some of those.  Otherwise the inverters can be had for as little as $15 on Amazon that plug into the cigarette lighter in the truck and require no hardwiring.  No gurantee on the quality of the cheap models but this will be the easiest and safest route for you. 

 

If you do choose you want to take the chance and run it straight off the 12v power, check out some boating forums.  This kind of stuff is done on boats all the time using dedicated batteries. 

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Make sure it says 12 volt vdc or dc I just looked at a small tv I had here it's 12 volts ac. So it would definitely fry. It says it's .8 of an amp at 120 volts so 96 watts so buy a cheap inverter. Use ohm's law.

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5 hours ago, Kickin’Chicken said:

I have an old 20” flat screen that has 120vAC to 12v transformer. I was wondering if I could rig it to eliminate the transformer and plug into the 12vDC from the jeep?

 

A 120VAC to 12V transformer is 120VAC is - 12VAC out.

A 12VDC power supply is 120VAC in - 12VDC out. It uses a full wave rectifier to convert the 12VAC to 12VDC.

 

Which do you have?

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2 hours ago, Jeep Driver said:

I think he's confused...........maybe...........

 

 

The TV is probably 120v AC and it has a built in inverter, not an AC to DC transformer. 

 

It would help if he posted a pic of the product label.

No 20" TV's have built in power inverters (except for old CRTs) due to the small size.  A lot of bigger TV's are starting to have external power bricks as well because they are getting too thin to house the large coils and capacitors.    

 

OP, just to clarify, the power brick for the TV says 120v AC input and 12v DC output correct?  Either way, I would still recommend using a proper power inverter and the cords that came with the TV.  

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1 hour ago, DesertRat1991 said:

 

9SDsVxV.gif

LOL!!!! I'll try to get a pic of it but it's at least ten years old so no big deal. I noticed it up in the attic while putting decorations away and figured I'd see if I could come up with a use for it. The inverters work well. We watched a game while camping recently....

8003327.JPG

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2 hours ago, Eagle said:

"Camping" =/= flat screen television

 

 

 

Sorry, I guess I'm showing my age [again]

Eagle, I am also from a different age.  Camping for me is carrying all I need on my back.

 

Today, it is Glamping.

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Look when people go camping in the woods if they like tents good for them I don't mind them but I'd rather be in my dad's 38ft fifth wheel with ac heat tv stove hot water and a nice bed. I work hard and I don't mind a day or 2 in the woods any more than that I'd want at least a pop-up.

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My wife and I have a 34' travel trailer (I do not call it a camper).  It has all the amenities: queen size bed, 2 set of bunks, full bath, water heater, kitchen with an oven/stove, refrigerator/freezer, microwave, and ducted AC and heat.  It came with an entertainment center: 6 speaker stereo (4 inside/2 outside) with CD/DVD player, flat screen TV, and cable ready.

 

It's a mobile home.

 

Please do not take my comments as offensive.  I love to travel places in the TT.  It is a great way to visit different places.  Traveling this way is far less expensive then airfare, hotel, rental car and eating out every meal.

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My wife and I have a 34' travel trailer (I do not call it a camper).  It has all the amenities: queen size bed, 2 set of bunks, full bath, water heater, kitchen with an oven/stove, refrigerator/freezer, microwave, and ducted AC and heat.  It came with an entertainment center: 6 speaker stereo (4 inside/2 outside) with CD/DVD player, flat screen TV, and cable ready.
 
It's a mobile home.
 
Please do not take my comments as offensive.  I love to travel places in the TT.  It is a great way to visit different places.  Traveling this way is far less expensive then airfare, hotel, rental car and eating out every meal.
I 100% agree but it did come from camping world

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I grew up in Northern Manitoba

Went to school with intuit (called Eskimo back then)  so camping was out on the tundra canvas tarp for shelter and you kept close to the fire.....funny thing.....they don't have a word for Camping ......closest translation would be " out on the land"

 

I have a 1978 16' trailer (hardtop)......but

It does have a flat screen and surround sound

(Run off 12v solar) if your going to be out on the land ......a couple of HD movies come in handy ...

 

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