Switch to 120VAC Powered TVs

[fishheadbarandgrill]

I need to upgrade the TVs on our 2011 R29. The OEM TVs don't seem to be compatible for streaming across all the typical services via an HDMI connection any longer. I chalk this up to iOS updates across my Apple devices. A new Majestic 12DC TV is $400. An equivalent sized 120VAC powered Smart TV is less than $100. I'm thinking about buying a small (200W) pure sine wave inverter and wiring it into a DC circuit. I can power both the v-berth and cabin TV from the same inverter. So for about $300 I can buy two TVs and an inverter. Thoughts?

 

[Tippetknot]

We switched to a 120v smart tv on our R27. Much better picture and sound quality. We just plug it into a 120v outlet and use the boat inverter.


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[fishheadbarandgrill]

We switched to a 120v smart tv on our R27. Much better picture and sound quality. We just plug it into a 120v outlet and use the boat inverter.

So two problems with that scenario for me. 1) no viable 120VAC outlets near the TVs. 2) my inverter is a modified sine inverter.

 

[billrh42]

I was considering going the same route as you on my 2010 R29 until I discovered that the issue was my hdmi adapter to my iPhone/iPad. It stopped streaming after an ios update. After a bit more research I realized I needed a new adapter. I bought this from Apple back in March and my streaming works again.

USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, $69.

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

I was considering going the same route as you on my 2010 R29 until I discovered that the issue was my hdmi adapter to my iPhone/iPad. It stopped streaming after an ios update. After a bit more research I realized I needed a new adapter. I bought this from Apple back in March and my streaming works again.

USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, $69.

I have iPhone 13s that still run with a lightning connector. So I can't switch to a USB-C adaptor. I do like the idea of not having to run HDMI cords as well if I get a streaming TV.

 

[BB marine]

Be careful when doing this. The initial thought is good. Purchase a small 200 watt or 500 watt inverter for the TV's. There are some ABYC recommendations for installing an inverter in a boat. Fusing, powering it and case ground. Many off the shelve inverters are not approved for a marine installation and application. Electrical installations in the simplest form on board a boat should not be taken lightly. I'm not saying it can not be done safely but it is not usually a plug and play application.

The idea of installing a 120 volt smart TV is a good idea. I did that in both my Cutwater and my Mainship pilot. When I owned the Cutwater there were no 120V outlets in the area that I wanted to install the TV. It was just as easy to install an outlet as it was to install a small inverter properly in the boat for the TV. It was also easier to install a ABYC pure sine wave inverter to power all 120Volt outlets and the microwave. Actually I installed an inverter to power all 120V users. 2000W in the Cutwater and a 3000 watt in the Pilot. The inverter was an upgrade to the factory install. The battery charger/inverter I was not a fan of.

Do your homework when choosing small inexpensive inverters. It may be a simple application but it is not always a simple installation. A 200 watt inverter used to power a TV would need to be wired to a minimum 20 amp DC circuit. The case ground of the inverter should be grounded to one of the boats grounding strips using a minimum sized wire equivalent to the wires powering the inverter from the 12Volt 20 amp circuit. The 12Volt power circuit needs to be fused, the inverter needs to be fused and the inverter outlet needs to be Ground fault protected. You idea can work just do it safely.

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

Thanks Brian. All good stuff to pay attention to.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

why not just buy a amazon firetv stick or roku? simpler install?

 

[Todd Tugnut]

I have no problem using a Firestick, but I typically just stream TV on my iPad.