tv while driving
- Thread starter dgs119
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Gordon Groff
Well-known member
You can run the genny while driving or buy an inverter to use 12vdc to power the 110vac TV. Have fun!
Gordon
Gordon
Gordon may have the correct answer. If you don't have an inverter, then the TV won't work on the road even if it doesn't have an interlock.
Again, it would help to know the make, model, and year of the RV and if you have an inverter or not.
Again, it would help to know the make, model, and year of the RV and if you have an inverter or not.
FrontrangeRVer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2008
- Posts
- 1,433
We unplugged our front overhead TV from the "fused" 120 volt circuit that was wired to turn off by the ignition switch by 12 volt, and we just moved the plug to a nearby 120 volt outlet. We watch ours while driving all the time and if I crane my neck, I could watch it too.....no biggie. 
geodrake
Moderator Emeritus
How does that work for you going under bridges with your TV antenna up?
FrontrangeRVer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2008
- Posts
- 1,433
geodrake said:
We normally watch DVD's on the front and rear TV's while traveling. Sometimes over the air TV if we are taveling through a large city and of course, the antenna is down.
Just FYI to the OP, if the TV is in view of the driver, the 120 volt receptacle will have a 12 volt switch that cuts off the electric when you turn your key in the ignition.....like I said, just plug your TV into a different outlet and use an inverter or the generator.
When I replace the old tube tv for a LCD I noticed that the tv was plugged into another plug that was an interupter circuit. Take a look at where your tv is plugged into behind the dvd or vcr. If it is plugged inot what looks like another plug, just unplug that one and plug it into the outlet directly. Works like a charm. I cannot see the tv from drivers seat as it is LCD and the picture angle is not good at that angle. The kids can see it quite well though.
John From Detroit
Well-known member
As others have said, To power the TV you need either a generator or inverter (or a 12 volt TV)
If, the motor home is laid out in such a manner that the manufacturer felt an ignition interlock is needed I would not suggest you override, even if it's "just for the kids" Because if the TV is where you (As driver) can see it.. and you are driving down the road in a 100K plus rolling palace, and some (in his opinion) overworked and underpaid law enforcement officer sees the TV on.. he just may decide to relieve you of some of that wealth he feels you have. (To the benefit of the city of course)
Better is to get a portable TV and put it on a chair or counter (properly anchored) well behind the driver where the kids can actually see it better (in many cases) and the driver can see it not at all.
Again, a 12 volt model is nice for this
In my rig, across from the two rear seat belts, is a swivel chair (Where it bolts in for travel) and next to that I put in a 12 volt/Television outlet. I can put my 12 volt portable in the chair and plug in.
If, the motor home is laid out in such a manner that the manufacturer felt an ignition interlock is needed I would not suggest you override, even if it's "just for the kids" Because if the TV is where you (As driver) can see it.. and you are driving down the road in a 100K plus rolling palace, and some (in his opinion) overworked and underpaid law enforcement officer sees the TV on.. he just may decide to relieve you of some of that wealth he feels you have. (To the benefit of the city of course)
Better is to get a portable TV and put it on a chair or counter (properly anchored) well behind the driver where the kids can actually see it better (in many cases) and the driver can see it not at all.
Again, a 12 volt model is nice for this
In my rig, across from the two rear seat belts, is a swivel chair (Where it bolts in for travel) and next to that I put in a 12 volt/Television outlet. I can put my 12 volt portable in the chair and plug in.
Marsha/CA
Moderator Emeritus
And, if you have the TV on and are in an accident, guess who is going to get looked into a little more closely as to whose fault it is.
When we travel with our granddaughter, we insert a DVD and she watches the computer at her chair. It worked great.
Side information: We went with some friends to look at new motorhomes. The coach had bunk beds and each bed had a DVD mounted on the ceiling above the bed.
Marsha~
When we travel with our granddaughter, we insert a DVD and she watches the computer at her chair. It worked great.
Side information: We went with some friends to look at new motorhomes. The coach had bunk beds and each bed had a DVD mounted on the ceiling above the bed.
Marsha~
Alright just looked for an inverter and see that I have a converter under the dinning table seat. It looks like it is connected to the generator. I tested outlets that are not connected to the TV and they don't work when in the park mode. I am assuming I need an inverter? Any suggestion on a decent one just to run a tv and dvd while driving for the family? Are they easy to install/hookup?
Thanks,
Thanks,
The converter supplies the 12VDC to the various lights and appliances in the motorhome when connected to shore or generator power. It also charges the house battery. Without shore or generator power, or an inverter, none of the 120VAC outlets will be powered.
You could install a small inverter to run a TV and DVD player. It should be connected directly to the house battery with an appropriate inline fuse and sized for the power requirements of the TV and DVD player. Something on the order of 200-300 watts should be sufficient. Ease of installation depends on how easy or hard it is to run the wires to the battery.
You could install a small inverter to run a TV and DVD player. It should be connected directly to the house battery with an appropriate inline fuse and sized for the power requirements of the TV and DVD player. Something on the order of 200-300 watts should be sufficient. Ease of installation depends on how easy or hard it is to run the wires to the battery.
Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
dsg119,
Disconnect from shore power, start up your generator and see what outlets have power. There is no harm in running the generator while you drive if you want to power the tv. You can have house air conditioning too. It is not expensive either.
Your converter is irrelevant, as Ned explained.
Disconnect from shore power, start up your generator and see what outlets have power. There is no harm in running the generator while you drive if you want to power the tv. You can have house air conditioning too. It is not expensive either.
Your converter is irrelevant, as Ned explained.
alright just noticed I have 2 cigarette plug in's by the tv's. I tested them and they both work. ;D Could I just buy 2 inverters for each spot to run TV's, games, etc...? Are these typically hooked up to the main battery or house battery? Does it matter since I will be using it only when driving and then once we get to our location I can use the generator or just plug into power.
Thanks,
Dennis
Thanks,
Dennis
tallyo
Well-known member
I know traveling in a RV can be fun but it is still a moving vehicle. Do the kids watch TV when you travel by car? They are supposed to be buckled in appropriate seats when traveling and not lying on the bed watching TV.... Maybe get then laptop game players while traveling?
I know I am an old stick in the mud!!!!!!!
I know I am an old stick in the mud!!!!!!!
DaveB
Active member
dgs119 said:
Might work....I tried this on a TT in the past and the wires going to the 12v plugs were very small and not sufficient to supply the inverter. Wouldn't hurt trying a small inverter in each one....
Gordon Groff
Well-known member
That should do it Dennis! Just watch the power draw as DaveB mentioned. Don't know what size TV you're talking about, but 300 watts is 25 amps @12vdc. Hopefully, your TV is less than that. You can pick up inverters with cigarette plugs at any Wallmart.
Gordon
Gordon
