Just in process of having a custom van conversion built and would rather go for a decent LG/ Panasonic/ Sony 22” than a dvd combi 12v set that seems the norm for motorhome. Reasons being, I haven’t used dvd’s For around 5 years and would rather have a hdmi imput and USB port plus, I can get a thinner more attractive set plus the picture quality on a decent led will be better. I was thinking of getting a hdmi socket installed into the motorhome so I’m not running cables into the back of the tv.
Can’t see us doing than much wild camping but when we do, for example in Scotland, I wouldn’t expect to get a a tv signal anyway. Neither of us are avid soap fans so the tv wouldn’t be used endlessly each night,.
From what I’ve read if I go down this route, ideally I’d need to find a tv with a power converter ‘brick’ built into the mains lead , or else I’d run the tv from the motorhome inverter and not use the shower etc when watching tv. Has anyone else gone down this route and had any problems?
I'm a bit confused by the concept of not using the shower while watching TV . For a start, I assume that if you're off grid, you will be heating the water with gas or diesel so you won't be using much electricity. If you already have a built-in inverter, why would you want another just for the TV?
However, if you want to go that way, then I see no problems providing you have sufficient battery capacity.
Oh, and by the way, we can get TV most places in Scotland, and most of it is in English.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Sorry Capt. Lightening if i wasn't clear with my post. Because the electric pump in the shower is also powered by the leisure battery meaning if the TV was also on, it could be a problem if they were used simultaneously.
Pleased to hear your now getting tv in most places in Scotland now, especially as most of its in english. However, when i took the caravan to the Highlands last year we couldn't get a signal, and as thats where i would expect to be wild camping, i thought it would be relevant to my query.
From my experience, the majority of motor/caravanners seem to use satellite dishes these days, though you're right that in some places, you won't get a terrestrial signal. I was being slightly 'tongue in ckeek', but do
not discount BBC Alba, for although it is in Gaelic, there have been some good programmes with subtitles.
The only problem I can think of about using the pump, is that it pulses rather than runs continuously. You therefore get variations in the voltage to the lights etc... This is not so much from the battery itself, but from voltage drop in the van's wiring. I would expect that an inverter would be wired directly to the battery and be less affected by the pump.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
The issue is power usage. The 12v caravan tvs use very little current and thus wont deplete your battery or stop you using other appliances when watching TV. A 240v set uses far more current in itself but the inverter also has losses so compounds the current usage issue. There are many good quality 12v TVs with HDMI and usb inputs. The cheaper end ones are not a slim as mainstream tvs but the higher end ones are pretty slim. Also you have the option of integrated sat reception that means with a cheap tripod and dish you get TV wherever you are.
Have a look at https://www.acdctv.co.uk/12v-televisions/
They have several different options including the new avtex PRO which is what we decided to go for. The picture is clearer than our older model and they are slim so fitted well into the space in the van.