Thanks Rick, these are the kind of things we need to tell each other to help us make as sound a decision as possible when we buy. I have been in electronics since I was a kid and still learn many things all the time. Chief
TV
- Thread starter rgtet
- Start date
We gave up trying to find 20+ inch 12VDC TV and in the end ended up buying 22" Samsung LCD. Surprisingly, when playing a movie off a USB memory stick (110V from inverter), it only uses about 2.7A. Very efficient, in my opinion, considering power loss from the inverter. Had it on board for last three seasons with no problems at all. Never tried it with an aerial.
The secret is in the antenna. We use an amplified, omnidirectional mounted on the mast and get good reception. We have a small 19" HDTV 120V running through the inverter when underway or at anchor. It is nice to get weather radar or watch a football game.
We installed a 15" LED Supersonic 1512 TV with DVD. It is still available from Amazon. It runs on 12V or 120V and accepts a variety of inputs (HDMI, VGA, USB, etc.). I found an antenna that looks like a sheet of paper that works most of the time. With digital, anytime you move the boat more than 4 feet you have to re-scan the channels.
Here is the link to my post earlier this year with mounting details
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=979594&highlight=allan12210 tv
Here is the link to my post earlier this year with mounting details
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=979594&highlight=allan12210 tv
We do the same using a ....
Hauppauge 950...
http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-1191-WinTV-HVR-950Q-Personal-Recorder/dp/B001DEYVXO
...for the past 2 years in the yard for about 6 months total with probably the same amplified antenna that we set on the cabin top. It runs direct off of 12 volts as well as the computer.
This is on a 15"-16" laptop. We have thought about taking Ruth's 23 inch flat screen monitor from home that she uses with the laptop there along with a wireless keyboard and mouse. It also runs on 12 volts direct or on the 120 brick. So far we haven't taken it with us and so far have not used this out on the water but I think the station we are using in the yard for NASCAR is some distance from the yard.
We will continue this combination as it works well and we also watch Netflix in the Yard with our long distance WiFi on the same laptop,
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Futureshop, Isignia is about the only one I could find that still had the external power brick to convert 120 to 12v. Cut off the wire to the brick and wired direct in place of the old tv. Even mounted to the wall with the same wall mount.
Glomex 10"
I went with the Glomex 10" Omnidirectional w/Masthead Mount & Amplifier. Cable, mount and everything included was less than $200 including shipping.
We have three TV's (overkill I know) but they were on the boat when we bought her. All (32" - 24" - 18") are 120 volt running off an inverter at anchor and linked to a KVH M3 satellite receiver and Direct TV; all of which work well, but are energy hogs. Thankfully we have a generator.
I only recently got my Cat 250 so even though I am an electronic engineer this great info has cemented how I intend to configure my boat. I will go ahead and install my amplified omni antenna, probably well up the front of the mast to clear the 150 genoa when fully unfurled. Since I run my RV every winter to Arizona, I have used 12v DC TV's for years so will put one of them in the boat. I do have everything so that helps. Chief
I bought a QFX 24" 12 volt tv, 1080 with 2 HDMI and all the rest of the inputs plus DVD with a wallmount. Works great. Use Roku and Dish at the dock have mast antenna for out which also has 12 volt amp. Was hit by lightning and took out Roku and TV through the HDMI cable. Called the maker of the TV and they replaced it NQA'ed even though it was hit by lightning, the Roku I had to buy. I was impressed with QFX as well as with Seasense who replaced all my LED lights that were taken out by the same lightning strike, for free, they even paid shipping.
TV or No TV
We bought our 1990 Hunter 33.5 and my co-captain immediately ran out and bought a flat screen TV we mounted it using a regular (though adjustable) wall mount with lag bolts. Though we do remove the TV when making passages in heavy seas we haven't had any issues with it. We opted with a model from Target that included a built in DVD player o the side of it so we can watch movies when reception is bad too. Very happy with it.
We bought our 1990 Hunter 33.5 and my co-captain immediately ran out and bought a flat screen TV we mounted it using a regular (though adjustable) wall mount with lag bolts. Though we do remove the TV when making passages in heavy seas we haven't had any issues with it. We opted with a model from Target that included a built in DVD player o the side of it so we can watch movies when reception is bad too. Very happy with it.
billyt: Do you use an amplifier and what kind of antenna? Is the TV AC or DC? One of my TV's is a 23" with a DVD on the side. Its a great set and it is DC.
Speaking of DC: for those of you who are not electronic nerds like me, the easy way to determine your DC amp draw is to just multiply your TV AC current by 10 for what a small inverter hookup would approximately draw. Chief
Speaking of DC: for those of you who are not electronic nerds like me, the easy way to determine your DC amp draw is to just multiply your TV AC current by 10 for what a small inverter hookup would approximately draw. Chief
I've installed a 19" Samsung 1080p LCD TV and hooked it to a SeaWatch digital antenna. It's 120v, so it's only used when hooked up to shore power. The TV doubles as a monitor for an onboard computer as well. In addition, I installed a Jensen car stereo that can also play CDs and DVD. I use the stereo's RGB outputs to feed into the TV, so I can watch DVDs on the TV.
I am on my 2nd DVD/TV mounted high in the cabin and viewable from the cockpit and of course the cabin/setee dinette.
first was 12vdc (threw out the brick) current model (bought also with FFT points) and was hard wired AC cord so I put on a little inverter. everything is 12vdc wired and I will go back to 12vdc TV when this one fails.
I put the unit in for 1) public TV in CT has a 24/7 NOAA radar loop and weather channel from Upton NY that spans my total sailing area, 2) DVD player, 3) game port,
The key to my install is NO powered antenna. I tried and researched numerous options and asked a few folks (especially cruisers) and I bought a Hinkley Loop or Hoop from Hinkley Yachts. (about .150 boat units) mounted 55 feet above the water, I get over 40 digital channels on the Long Island Sound. http://www.l-y-n-c-h.com/Akula/content/AAG_6486a_adj__large.html see the top where I mounted the loop. (with plastic bird spikes for the cormorants asses!)
first was 12vdc (threw out the brick) current model (bought also with FFT points) and was hard wired AC cord so I put on a little inverter. everything is 12vdc wired and I will go back to 12vdc TV when this one fails.
I put the unit in for 1) public TV in CT has a 24/7 NOAA radar loop and weather channel from Upton NY that spans my total sailing area, 2) DVD player, 3) game port,
The key to my install is NO powered antenna. I tried and researched numerous options and asked a few folks (especially cruisers) and I bought a Hinkley Loop or Hoop from Hinkley Yachts. (about .150 boat units) mounted 55 feet above the water, I get over 40 digital channels on the Long Island Sound. http://www.l-y-n-c-h.com/Akula/content/AAG_6486a_adj__large.html see the top where I mounted the loop. (with plastic bird spikes for the cormorants asses!)
Thomas: I am much impressed with your beautiful boat Akula! My first comment relates to your research as this attitude usually brings great results. Secondly, I am pleasantly surprised that you achieved such success with no amp.. I think your 55' mast has much to do with this systems efficiency. I would like to do as well, but my mast is only 37' so will opt for an amp/antenna, but hate using the extra amps!
Sounds like you are also aware that most AC TV's draw more current than the DC ones.
Chief
Sounds like you are also aware that most AC TV's draw more current than the DC ones.
Chief
We have a 12 volt with dvd built in 16" on port side bulk head on a wallmart swivel arm to swing out if needed works great on and off dock easy on power and on long cruises its great way to break up book reading or the kid's if they get restless,on dock on poor weather days our marina is wired for cable,Its a modern touch and in now way I think takes away from the boat,the others with their 6' flat panels can you say overboard?Guess they stay on dock more than sail!
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Mast TV Antenna
Just a thought. Has anyone tried using their mast a the antenna ? Now this all depends on how your mast is grounded. If your mast is not grounded there's a possibility that you could actually use your mast as an antenna. You woyld have to ground the tv coax somehow. Haven't really thought this through since you would need a lightning arrestor somewhere.
Just a thought. Has anyone tried using their mast a the antenna ? Now this all depends on how your mast is grounded. If your mast is not grounded there's a possibility that you could actually use your mast as an antenna. You woyld have to ground the tv coax somehow. Haven't really thought this through since you would need a lightning arrestor somewhere.