12v TV Lead.

[thehoods]

Is it possible to buy a lead to fit directly from our 12v LCD TV (4 din fitting) to the 12volt socket (two plat pins) fitted in the caravan? If so, is it safe to do so and where can I buy such a lead?

 

[blu]

Hi Phil

I have done just as you suggest with our 12v lcd tv.

I took the tv to a Maplins shop told them what i wanted to do they gave me the bits

 

[thehoods]

Sean,

Thanks for the reply. Since asking the question I've been advised not to do it this way as the voltage varies and it could wreck the tv. I've been advised to buy an inverter. I take it you've not had any problems with your tv doing it this way?

 

[Mikey1]

Hi Phil

Never had a problem with connecting the tv straight into the 12v's,when the powers too low the tv doesnt work,had this arrangement for a few years now and never had a problem.

You will pull more current using an inverter as well.

 

[thehoods]

Thanks for the reply Mickey. Can I ask where you got your 12v lead and connectors from?

 

[Mikey1]

Hi Phil

I made the lead up myself,so i go from fused 12v plug to tv so didnt have to mess around with the 240v one,you can buy all the bits from Maplins for a couple of quid

 

[thehoods]

Thanks for that Mikey, I think I'll go down that route and pay a visit to Maplins.

 

[Mikey1]

Hi Phil

Forgot too add that i have the dc power connector on mt tv,could be difficult to get the dim type

 

[WatsonJohnG]

We searched everywhere for a lead for my friend's LG TV but Leisure Power as below were able to supply when even M aplins could not!

http://www.leisurepower.co.uk/acatalog/Adaptors_Leads.html

 

[DeliDave]

when we used our Sharp Aquos on 12volt the color and contrast were very poor,on 240v its fine,presumed it was unstabilised voltage source as is frequently mentioned in these pages

 

[WatsonJohnG]

David we have used several TVs on 12V with no deterioration in picture quality except through wiring that was too thin as per caravan manufacture

It may be a characteristic of your TV or it could be very thin wiring used causing voltage drop.

I would have thought that a modern caravan charging system with a leisure battery in good condition should be OK.

We have also used the caravan wiring circuit to power an inverter with only good results

Aldi have inverters at an excellent price this week

 

[DeliDave]

we were going to try a 600w inverter but get new indiana this week so see what tv supplied is like .It doesnt get best reviews that I have seen so may be able to fit the Sharp in there and see what it is like,hopefully the bracket will be the standard fixing holes.

 

[DeliDave]

Just been on Aldi site and couldnt find inverters are they at all stores and how much/what size please.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi David

They are in the catalogue for Sunday 16th Sept

They are

 

[DeliDave]

Thank you I'll pop down tomorrow,we have one in Daventry and one in Rugby

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Thank you I'll pop down tomorrow,we have one in Daventry and one in Rugby

I got mine!--did you!

 

[gs1]

I would steer clear of the inverter route they use to much power. You are taking a 12v supply transforming it to 240v AC (artificial waveform ) to transform it again to dc.

My adives would be to use the 240 supply from your van, if you havn't got the 240v supply you be better off putting your money to wards getting it.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

The inverter is ideal for when there is no 230V supply and also for a TV like one of ours that only has 230V supply

We were on a CC site last week and several times the 230 volt was unplugged for grass cutting thus ruining any Sky+/DVD recording

I swapped to inverter for the Sky+ box and the 230V only TV

We have also used the inverter on the car park at Roscoff when awaiting a ferry the next morning

230V mains is undoubtedly better at its best but often on busy sites it gets tripped out whereas the inverter does not and when the 230V is on again it quickly replaces the charge in the battery.

In France in June our supply tripped out at 9.30pm and using the inverter saved troubling the site owner until morning.

 

[gs1]

There is also the saftey factor, you will have far quicker reaction time with the caravans 30ma trip than the inverter. I can understand that in some instances they can be useful, but, they are in my opinion a accident waiting to happen.