12volt smart tv

[jviss]

I think that despite our interest, the RV and boat community are not that large, compared to the general market. (The RV market is much bigger than boat, I think!) Thankfully, inverters have become very efficient, so you'll likely be operating closer to 90+% than the 80% efficiency I quoted. Still better than running a large monitor and the laptop at the same time.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Still better than running a large monitor and the laptop at the same time.

You don't need both though. A Fire stick, Chromecast, etc will add less than an amp to the draw of the monitor. You just need to find a good 12V non-smart monitor to plug it into.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

Stu, the OP asked for 12V Smart TV - 12V TVs are easy to find, Smart, not so much - in fact, I haven't found one yet, googling (10 minutes).

If the TV has an HDMI port you can add a Roku (various models available), then you will have the best (or arguably one of the best) smart TV user experience.
If you opt for the Roku, all models also require external power in the form of 1.5A USB (it comes with an AC power adapter but you can adapt a standard automobile 12v USB adapter).

edit: @Davidasailor26 +1

 

[Head Sail]

A smart TV is one that has the capability to connect to the Internet and run applications to access content, on its own. The idea on a boat would be that one woudn't need to run any other power consuming equipment when viewing content save the connection the Internet, which could be (and likely is) a smart phone. I get it! My Laptop uses lots of power, and the screen and audio aren't the best for group viewing. I haven't come across a 12V smart TV yet. The idea of 12V is that one would use less power, not consume it in conversion from 12VDC to 110VAC (which could be a 20% loss).

I think the same reasons there aren’t 12V laptops are the same there’s not 12V smart tv. They both require conditioned power not available in your typical boat and the market to small. If you’re watching at the dock, who cares about power? If you’re watching on the hook, you have to ask what content do I expect?

 

[Gunni]

The crowd on this website is pretty sharp and i was hoping that someone here might have an answer

The answer. Looks smart, not sure. Wide screen, bazillion K:


By the way, I have a 12vdc laptop. Dell sells a power supply that interchanges 120vac/12vdc/airplane port. Just change the cables. In port it does sling box to home and when out we can watched downloaded movies.

 

[capta]

I've had absolutely terrible luck with 12-volt tvs and appliances over the years. Tried the name brands and the cheap ones, but all failed pretty quickly in the marine environment. 12-volt electronics/appliances are a very tiny market and not of much interest to manufacturers.
I think it's best (and much, much cheaper) to stick with a household powered unit and find an efficient and reliable inverter.
We power our computers with a converter and have no problems with them from this. As most laptops operate on around 18 volts DC, there is some cost for the conversion, but I believe it is cheaper, power wise, than an inverter.

 

[justsomeguy]

As most laptops operate on around 18 volts DC, there is some cost for the conversion, but I believe it is cheaper, power wise, than an inverter.

Could you please describe what you're using to charge your laptop?

Did you make/modify your own male plug from the boost converter to the laptop?

 

[jviss]

You don't need both though. A Fire stick, Chromecast, etc will add less than an amp to the draw of the monitor. You just need to find a good 12V non-smart monitor to plug it into.

Firestick, yes. Chromecast - don't you need a laptop to cast from? If you use the phone to cast, won't the resolution be poor?

 

[Bob S]

I picked up a no cost (credit card rewards) 24" 12V TV and we've been using a Chromecast. I use my phone as a hot spot and my ipad to cast. My only complaint is the sound quality but everything else works well. To be honest, we don't really use it much unless it's one of those miserable rainy days not worth exploring ashore. A lot of times I just use my ipad.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Firestick, yes. Chromecast - don't you need a laptop to cast from? If you use the phone to cast, won't the resolution be poor?

Good point, I forgot you need an additional device for the Chromecast. Still leaves firesticks and rokus.

 

[capta]

Could you please describe what you're using to charge your laptop?

Did you make/modify your own male plug from the boost converter to the laptop?

I purchased a converter custom built for my computer online, with a cigarette lighter end (with internal fuse) and a mini-jack that fits this computer. I paid around $75.00, much more than other similar units available online, but everyone (4) of the cheap ones we've tried for Nikki's computer has died, while this one is still working perfectly after 4 years.
I don't remember the website, but they custom fabricate converters for every imaginable laptop and perhaps other gear, so they should be fairly easy to find. If you want me to look, let me know.

 

[jviss]

I purchased a converter custom built for my computer online, with a cigarette lighter end (with internal fuse) and a mini-jack that fits this computer. I paid around $75.00, much more than other similar units available online, but everyone (4) of the cheap ones we've tried for Nikki's computer has died, while this one is still working perfectly after 4 years.
I don't remember the website, but they custom fabricate converters for every imaginable laptop and perhaps other gear, so they should be fairly easy to find. If you want me to look, let me know.

Sure, I wish I could find a more energy-efficient converter than my Mac power supply fed by my Freedom 1000 inverter.

 

[capta]

Sure, I wish I could find a more energy-efficient converter than my Mac power supply fed by my Freedom 1000 inverter.

I'm not sure it's the same place, but prices are in the ballpark and they certainly have variety. https://www.powerstream.com/ADC-HP.htm or https://www.powerstream.com/ADC.htm

 

[jviss]

Thank you.

 

[Gunni]

Sure, I wish I could find a more energy-efficient converter than my Mac power supply fed by my Freedom 1000 inverter.

This is one of the more serious flaws in the Apple laptop business model - no 12VDC power supply. Your option is to use a iPad Pro; it plugs up to a quality USB-cigarette lighter connection and works well. My folks have been using variants of PC power supplies that adapt to every power option (120AC/240AC/12DC/Airplane ports) for over 20 years. We haven’t used AC inverters for at least 25 years. Ancient and inefficient.

 

[CYQK]

Yeah Gunni
Looks like i am going to have to installa 120v ac tv
Just goin to have to bite the bullet

 

[jviss]

AC inverters .... Ancient and inefficient.

Au contraire! Inverters are superbly efficient, and many new power generations systems use them, like the Honda eU inverter-based generators.

 

[jviss]

BW, I saw some very cost effective 12V monitors in Walmart - not very well known brands, though. I saw some beautiful 27 and 28" Samsung monitors, but they take 14VDC - Ugh! I wonder if they'd run on 12V.

 

[Gunni]

Every inverter I have ever had was something less than 95% efficient and all pulled a standby idle current. Far more drain than a direct-to-DC connection.

 

[SG]

The load efficiency of the Mastervolt and Xantrex inverters have about 92% "peak efficiency" listed in the specs.
The Full Load the efficiencies are supposed to be a lot less.

As for Standby: The standby load for the 'old' modified sine wave Heart Freedom Inverters was negligible -- however, ALL of the 'true sine wave' inverters that I've seen, have a much heavier "no load" standby load.

I use a Mastervolt system which I really like; however, if I'm in power watching mode, I turn the inverter off unless I want to use it.