A New 22' Cruiser named Rabbit's Hutch is Born

Dora~Jean · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:02 pm Post subject:

Roger,

I have a 17" widescreen LCD TV for my boat, same dilemma you have. I ran it on 110VAC (inverter) for awhile then worked on getting a DC adapter. Look at power input voltage specs on DC input plug to your TV (where the 110V adapter plugs into). Mine req'd 16-17 VDC at 4 amps (60-70 watts) I believe. Went to Fry's, picked up a Targus Auto/Air Adapter kit ($79), it comes with several (7 I think) DC adapters. It adjusts the voltage from your 12V supply to the proper voltage for appliances that accept a particular plug type and diameter. One was perfect, plugged it in, works great, takes about 1.5 amps less than through inversion/conversion processes.

Hope yours is as easy as mine was, good luck.

Steve

Dreamer · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:54 pm Post subject:

Hi Gary, Congratulations on the new 22. We'll be getting our new TC255 about the same time. I would vote very much in favor of the shore power installation. It can be done for far less than $1000. We plan on using an Outback 2000w. inverter/charger. all 110v items in the boat will operate off the inverter or shore power if at a dock. All except the water heater that is. The Refrigerator is 12v only. The Nova Kool has a 12v compressor. No sense going from 12v house batt. to 110v throught the inverter only to be converted back to 12v.

You'll find many uses for hard wired 110v in the boat. Dehumidifiers, battery chargers, heated mattress pad (so much nicer than an electric blanket), computer, TV, possibly a toaster oven or microwave.

Have a great time commissioning the boat and enjoy the cruising.

Roger
Dreamer

Sea Wolf · Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 1:10 am Post subject:

LLOYDS-

Roger has answered your question very thoroughly.

If you're not going to run the TV while running the engine and therefore the charging circuit, the higher voltge may not be a problem, but I suppose you could always make a mistake and start the engine w/o thinking to turn off the TV, so better check out the voltages as Roger says.

One other resource that you might look into would be to call the technical rep from the company that built the TV and discuss the project with him or her.

They usually know the answers to such questions because of their knowledge of the product, their training, and because they get asked the same questions over and over.

The only problem here is that some products, not made in America and only marketed here, may not have any such Technical Reps available.

Let us know how it works out, and be sure to ask if you have any further questions. Joe.

lloyds · Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:08 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replys on running the flat screen tv on 12 volt. I have completed my forays into asking the technical folks at Toshiba why this isn't practical. I tried two different tech reps for Toshiba and they were both very nebulous and non-commital. The big worry seems to be that I will do something stupid and they will void the warranty. They never did say that it couldn't be done, just wouldn't recommend it. No specific reason why. One finally did say if it broke something the warranty would be void. I will do some of the checking Roger suggested and see what I get. All the 12 volt in the camper is served through a 110/12volt converter so I don't think spikes should be a problem. I am reasonably certain that wherever I pull the 12 volt from on the electrical panel, it will all be within a volt or so of 12 and without spikes. As an aside, the first time I contacted a Toshiba Tech Rep I sent an e-mail asking this basic question, can I operate the tv on 12 volt, without the converter. The reply: "Converter necessary". End of communication.

nscogin · Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 3:02 pm Post subject:

The marine power cord I ordered about 48 hours ago from BoatersWorld.com using their regular shipping method just arrived. Great service!

Norma