Replace 120v Television with 12v Television
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6115
Printed Date: 18 Jun 2025 at 5:51am
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Topic: Replace 120v Television with 12v Television
Posted By: MeeshyPod
Subject: Replace 120v Television with 12v Television
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2015 at 10:56am
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My husband and I have a 2015 179. The current television is a Jensen 120v. We are planning on replacing it with a Jensen 12v television (same size, 19"). We want to do this because the current television only works if we're plugged into shore power, and we want to be able to watch television off the batteries instead. We looked under the bottom of the pod, and it looks like that's where all the wiring runs are. Just wondering if anyone has done this mod before, and how they ran the wiring for the 12v outlet (which we plan on installing near the current 120v outlet for the television)? Can we run our new 12v line with the existing bundle of wires under the rpod? I know I've seen this topic posted before, but no one ever went into any detail in terms of how they ran the 12v line, etc. If anyone has pictures of how they did this mod, that would be extremely helpful, but even just an explanation would be great too.
------------- Michelle & Curtis Nolting 2015 Rpod 179 (MeeshyPod) 2015 Ford Explorer Sport 
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Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2015 at 12:42pm
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An option that may be easier, is to buy a 100 watt inverter and use that to power the television. That also gives you a way to charge your phones/laptops when you are off-grid. Just don't leave the inverter on when you aren't using it. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: scentralmt
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2015 at 3:06pm
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I also had the Jensen 120V TV. I don't understand why they didn't supply a 12V model, I camp mainly in National Forest so no electricity. I went to Best Buy and found TV's that have a converter to go from 120v to 12v. The Insignia models are that way. The 19" model is $99.99 and the one I got was a 20" with DVD player on sale for $129.99. I just cut the line and used the wire for the outside light for power, there should also be 12v for the antenna booster. My trailer is a 177 and the Jensen DVD player is at the other end of the trailer so when using the replacement TV I use it's own remote. The camper speakers have one back by the bed and the other in the front which I guess is the only way they can do it, so I just listen off the tv speakers. I would guess there would be other brands out there too. Curtis ------------- Curtis 2014 177 2001 F150 |
Posted By: SuJoPodders
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2015 at 11:49am
| We have a 177. The all-in-one Audiovox unit (AC only), just wasn't going to cut it. The screen was too small and wouldn't adjust to a decent viewing angle. Plus the DVD player was louder than the sound coming from the TV. We pulled the unit and replaced it with an Insignia 24" AC/DC TV/DVD combo. Purchased a power port and tapped onto the existing 12 volt antenna amplifier circuit. We can use the TV in either mode, but usually leave it powered by battery. |
Posted By: 2P$InAPod
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2015 at 10:06pm
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My preference is to install a pure sinewave inverter like the sunforce 1000w (11240) - I am in need of detail instructions. Any tech expert out there that can help or provide suggestions? Thanks in advance. ------------- David and Kris 2015 RPod 179 2002 Honda Odyssey LX |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2015 at 8:04am
While I don't know why this is your preference, if you are only going to run the TV, a 100/200 watt is all you need, most TV's pull about 25 watts. You don't want to oversize your inverter any more than you need, their "overhead" is a percentage of their rated watts. aH management is the key to off grid fun. As far as detailed instructions.. either add a 12v plug as needed, or wire to the fuse box. But the honest and best answer is to get a 12v TV. It's cheaper than a good inverter, and doesn't have the overhead of an inverter. ------------- |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2015 at 8:07am
Because most people who buy an RV regardless of size, buy it to use in RV parks and improved camping areas. Most Americans are used to 120v, and how it works, so as much 120v stuff as possible is better. ------------- |
Posted By: J-Cat
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2015 at 1:21am
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In the 179 you can pick up a 12v source near the TV fairly easily by pulling out the entertainment unit over the closet. If I remember correctly it only involves four phillips screws and the pin connectors on the back of the entertainment unit can be unplugged to get it out of the way. This allows access to the space over the closet. There are 12v sources in there for the entertainment unit and for the antenna amplifier. I had used this to install a 12v receptacle in the closet wall. Check wire sizes for your load and an in line fuse is a good idea. ------------- Jerry & Cathy 2015 RP-179 HRE 2013 Tacoma SR5 4x4 |
Posted By: MeeshyPod
Date Posted: 17 May 2015 at 11:13pm
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Alright, so we finally decided (since my husband has electrical experience from his Navy days) that we would just get a small 120w pure sine wave inverter, mount it on the television, install a 12v outlet, and plug the inverter into that outlet to watch TV when we're boondocking. We got the inverter from Amazon for about $105 (since we were going for a pure sine wave inverter, we only got one that would be just big enough to run the television, and maybe charge a phone or something). I also like the inverter we bought because it is small enough to be mounted to the TV itself, which is one less eyesore on the wall  Here's a picture of the inverter we bought:  Here's a picture of the 12v outlet my husband installed:  And here's a picture of the inverter mounted to the back of our TV:  ------------- Michelle & Curtis Nolting 2015 Rpod 179 (MeeshyPod) 2015 Ford Explorer Sport
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 May 2015 at 11:31am
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Looks good. Samlex is a decent brand. Personally I think that is the best option since you can charge phones, etc. Just make sure you disconnect the inverter when it isn't in use, it uses some electricity to run itself. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Plantguy
Date Posted: 24 May 2015 at 11:49am
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wonderful photo of the tv etc. does anyone have an issue with the rigid swivel arm that holds the tv? i wish that the tv could point down a little. if you are in bed the tv is at an angle that makes for a poor view. the rigid arm is ok if viewing from the dining area ( i have the 179). can the arm be bent to resolve this issue kr is there another arm available? ------------- Life is too important to be taken seriously!i |
Posted By: Razorbacks
Date Posted: 24 May 2015 at 1:30pm
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I have found a solution that works for us. I got a couple of longer screws for the upper two mounting holes and put four or five washers between the arm and tv. This forces the tv to be angled downward for a better viewing angle. Not elegant but it works. ------------- Gary and Gwen Two Old Razorbacks 2015 RP179 |
Posted By: Plantguy
Date Posted: 29 May 2015 at 1:03am
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Good idea, creative. I may give it a try. Thnks
------------- Life is too important to be taken seriously!i |
Posted By: Dreded
Date Posted: 29 May 2015 at 2:02pm
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so iv been thinking about the 120v tv thing... I think using the stock(current model) 120v tv will consume less power on an inverter than a current model 12v tv would... due to recent technology upgrades the 120v tv's consume less wattage... the JE1914 in 2015 models uses only 17watts of power max The Inverter electronics themselves whether on standby or not on most small inverters is roughly 5watts
So assuming a 15% inefficiency for an inverter that's 24.5 watts max(19.5 for the tv and 5 for the inverter) which is less than I can find any similar 12v tv The similar Jensen 12v which is the je1912 uses 28watts max So I see no reason to waste money converting it to a 12v tv as you will be worse off(or at least no better) in the end.
------------- 2015.5 RPOD 171 |
Posted By: Plantguy
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2015 at 7:56pm
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Thanks for the info. Now I need to find the right inverter.
------------- Life is too important to be taken seriously!i |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2015 at 8:23pm
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This is the best small inverter on the market. Costs more than some in the same class (PSW, 300 watts) but better because it doesn't have a fan. Fans clog up eventually and/or stop working. Also completely sealed for harsh environments. http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/inverters/moin/mosu300wasiw.html - http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/inverters/moin/mosu300wasiw.html Another good one, also PSW and 300 watts. Cheaper than the other one but it does have a fan. Not quite as efficient as the other one. http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/inverters/sasiwain1/samlex-pst-series-pure-sine-wave-inverters/sa300wa12vos.html - http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/inverters/sasiwain1/samlex-pst-series-pure-sine-wave-inverters/sa300wa12vos.html ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Dreded
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2015 at 10:22pm
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I opted to go with a nice and small samlex 120Watt Unit as this will easily power the tv and any video devices I might want to plug in such as a BluRay player or Roku and fit in the space near the TV. If I decide I want more power than this I will be going with a 2000Watt Unit so I can Power larger devices(doubt ill ever do this but might be nice to use the microwave once in a while) http://www.amazon.com/Samlex-PST-120-12-Pure-Inverter-Watts/dp/B00IXOWPQM/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1433470642&sr=8-8&keywords=samlex+inverter - http://www.amazon.com/Samlex-PST-120-12-Pure-Inverter-Watts/dp/B00IXOWPQM/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1433470642&sr=8-8&keywords=samlex+inverter Just one quick note if you are wanting to power(not charge) two laptops or one Gaming Laptop while gaming I would go with the 300Watt units as a Gaming Laptop while gaming could consume up to 160Watts... the average (even High End) laptop will be in the 50Watt or less range
------------- 2015.5 RPOD 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2015 at 9:33pm
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Forget about the 2000 watt unit. You need a large deep cycle battery bank and seriously thick wiring to support that type of load. Once you get to that level you need to jump to 24 or 48 volts to keep the amps lower. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: MeeshyPod
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2015 at 12:57pm
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We opted to mount a Roku player on the back of our TV, and our 120w inverter powers that and the TV perfectly (our Roku is mounted on the left in the picture below). We already have hundreds of movies that we've copied to our home server, so this way, we can just put a bunch of movies/tv shows onto a thumb drive and bring them with us when we're boondocking (takes up a lot less space then DVDs). And when we're camped in places that have good wifi, we can use the Roku to log into our Netflix and Amazon Prime accounts to watch movies through those. ------------- Michelle & Curtis Nolting 2015 Rpod 179 (MeeshyPod) 2015 Ford Explorer Sport
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