15" LCD TV Recommendation from Tesco

DPH

DPH

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15\" LCD TV Recommendation from Tesco

I've been looking for a small LCD TV with freeview that had a 12 volt input so I can run straight from the battery without using an invertor.

It had a standard 12 volt plyg going into the TV so managed to make a lead up myself.

Speakers are a bit tiny and not a great viewing angle so not suitable for mounting to a ceiling but does have built in DVD player. So DVD and Freeview and native 12 volt makes it a bargin at £130.

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.205-5227.aspx

There is a similar model without the DVD player for £100

If you want to see one before you buy visit Tescos by Port Solent
 
Re: 15\" LCD TV Recommendation from Tesco

Because my original username was my Christian and Surname.

So I thought I'd use my initials like MJF/TCM/HLB etc!
 
Re: 15\" LCD TV Recommendation from Tesco

I bought the TV inc DVD for £100 from Tesco, and have been really pleased with the picture. I cannot get all the channels in the marina despite an aerial booster, but it guess this will improve when in clearer air.
 
Re: 15\" LCD TV Recommendation from Tesco

Thanks for that - kids moaning they missed the Grand Prix yesterday so just popped round to Tesco and bought one .

Doesn't say its 12v on the box so I had to persuade the assistant to open one up for me - lo and behold a wee transformer and a 12v cable.

Must be this weeks top tip - thanks /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Re: 15\" LCD TV Recommendation from Tesco

Don't you need a 12volt to 12volt regulator, just wondering if voltage fluctuation i.e. 11v to 15v could damage the TV or just switch off if the voltage drops below 12v e.g. water pump running etc. If the battery is being charged at 14volts would that affect the TV i.e. damage it.

Just wondering how you got on.
 
Re: 15\" LCD TV Recommendation from Tesco

You made me think - the 240 to 12v transformer may have a VR built in - although I would have thought the boat would already have one built in for the more sensitive 12v kit such as GPS, radar, comms, stereo etc but it will be hard to find -

maybe I will just get one from Maplin for £1 just in case !
 
Re: 15\" LCD TV Recommendation from Tesco

Easiest way to find out if the power supply is a regulated 12v supply, is put a voltmeter on it when its not plugged into the TV. My guess would be it will read higher than 12v when its not under load and that the TV has a built in regulator. Otherwise why sell a 12v TV if you have to run it from a regulated mains supply?
 
Re: 15\" LCD TV Recommendation from Tesco

I just went and bought a 12v regulator for £1 at Maplin - has 3 tiny wee pins and will require some pretty accurate solder work and some serious damp proofing - Hmmm!

I will check the supply but sure it will fluctuate a bit - if only depending on other loads connected to it - never seen a 12v supply that didn't !

I'll also get SWMBO to read the instructions in the TV manual see what it says re specification /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Strange they dont advertise 12v supply as a feature - even the 12v cable is hardwired into the 240v transformer so you have to chop it off if you want to connect it directly to a 12v supply.

Why make a 12v TV unless you are trying to sell it to boaters, caravanners & truckers ?

Anyway perhaps DPH can tell us how he got on with his ?
 
Re: 15\" LCD TV Recommendation from Tesco

[ QUOTE ]
I will check the supply but sure it will fluctuate a bit

[/ QUOTE ]
If its not regulated it will be quite a bit over 12v, maybe 18v or so without a load.

Don't you need some other components to go with the regulator you bought from Maplin?
 
Re: 15\" LCD TV Recommendation from Tesco

Normaly the TV's are quite tolerant to normal boat 12V Voltage levels, I know many people who have bought similar TV's and experienced no probelms doing exactly what you have done, in fact I'm about to do the same /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif You can buy 12V TV's for boats and caravan from Chandleries etc.. they seem to be the same TV's with a marine markup of 100%.
 
Re: 15\" LCD TV Recommendation from Tesco

It is not marketed as a 12 volt TV, but it will work.

A few years ago a lot of LCD TV's were 12 volt and supplied with transformers. Nowdays most take 240 direct and the transformer will be built into the TV. I guess this makes it a greener product rather then leaving a transformer plugged in 24/7.

The TV is supplied with a 240 volt plug connected to a transformer which outputs 12 volt into a standard plug which goes into the TV. I didn't use this lead but the lead from another 12 volt transformer with the same plug as the wires were clearly marked up with polarity. On my boat I actually have 12 volt plugs so quite easy to sort out. My last boats had cigarete lighter type sockets so you might need to buy/make one up yourself. I actually have exactly this type of lead supplied with a vhf handset.

Not sure how fussy the TV would be on polarity, I've wired mine up correctly. Might be wise to check before plugging tv in. Otherwise it's a 50/50 chance!

I ran the TV last weekend for several hours, for some of that time the generator was on and batterys charging so I guess the voltage ranged between 12 and 15.5 volts. No problems at all.
 
Re: 15\" LCD TV Recommendation from Tesco

Thanks for the heads up on this one I have just purchased the TV and will put it on test this weekend. Checked the output from the transformer on a multi meter and seems to be a constant 12.2 volts and have tried it on a 12 volt supply no problems good picture.
 
Re: 15\" LCD TV Recommendation from Tesco

Just completed installing mine - great picture and all works perfectly without an "extra" voltage regulator

Thanks for the tip - great value for money, the bloke beside me at the Marina is off to Tesco this morning, you should ask them for some commish /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
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