Lorne&Lorraine
Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Joined: 04/14/2003
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My Insignia digital/analog converter from Best Buy runs great powered by a cheap 75 watt MSW cigarette lighter inverter. Already had it kicking around and just plugged it into the 12 volt power port on the antenna booster switch located behind my 12 V LCD TV.
Lorne Ross
2003 Pleasure-Way Ford Excel TD
Camped the lower 48 states and 9 provinces
Most multiple times and now on the repeat!
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Caseydon
Simonton, Texas
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Joined: 07/27/2001
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I very recently bought one, and it works fine. However, while it may run on 12 volts, it only comes with a 120 VAC "wall wart" power supply. There's no provision for powering directly from a 12 volt outlet.
Casey
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JohnieL
Santa Rosa, Ca. USA
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Joined: 01/22/2004
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Many thanks for all the replies. I ended up getting the Best Buy TV converter box,"Insignia" and a 100 watt inverter that powers up to 0.90 amps. I wanted it for use in our home as well as the MH in case of an emergency. I already had a small 5 inch TV for that use. So with this setup I can use it in the MH, and our Saturn Vue Hybrid, and even in the house.
JohnieL
2003 Jamboree 29V
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VE3ESN
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 03/08/2002
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jauguston wrote:Before you let anyone convince you that a True Sine Wave Inverter is needed for your needs try a Modified Sine Wave Inverter. There are VERY few things in a RV that won't work just fine on a MSW inverter. MSW inverters are about 1/10th the cost.
Jim
I agree. In fact, for three years we have successfully used a 1000 W MSW inverter to power a 600 W (cooking power) microwave. It has all sorts of electronics inside - touch pad, clock, timer, etc. and it works fine. I would never have been able to justify purchasing a PSW inverter for this purpose.
Having said that, since we don't own a small inverter, when choosing a digital to analog converter box, we opted for a unit that can operate directly from 12 V (Artec T3A-Pro) as well as from 120 VAC. It has an adaptor that plugs into the wall which converts the 120 VAC to 12 VDC. A cigarette lighter plug and and a miniature plug for the converter box was lying around from an old project.
Since the prices were comparable for the Artec and the other brands such as the Insignia, we chose the Artec. (No $40 coupons in Canada!)
Jerry & Susie
1996 Roadtrek 190 Versatile (Dodge 5.2 L)
FMCA F390585
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cybervanner
Richmond, VA
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Joined: 09/25/2007
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Purchase a converter box that runs off of a "wall wort" or external power supply. Most of these are either 9 or 12 volts DC. Just make a cable to connect to the box from a 12 volt source in your rig.
Here's a list of features on converter boxes. It has a box for models with external power supplies;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_CECB_units
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jimmy77
Arizona
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Joined: 06/18/2008
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I have shopped this site before so I'm pretty familiar with them. They have 12 volt tv's , power inverters and the converter boxes. I would recommend going all 12 volt. Some of their 12 volt tv's say that they draw less than 5 amps and I can't imagine that the 110 converter boxes would draw much more than that with an inverter. They have a ton of stuff but it seems that whenever I look for something it's pretty easy to find. I'll give links here if you'd like to have a peek. Oh yeah, most of their 12 volt tv's have the digital tuner built in so you don't even need a converter box!
Converter Box
Power Inverters
12 volt televisions
Good Luck,
Jimmy
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steveh27
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
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Joined: 08/21/2004
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I just received the Artec T3A-Pro from BSAT today. The bad: it took a long time to arrive - I ordered it on June 5, 15 days ago. The good - It works great. I got this one because it runs on 12 volt DC. It comes with a 110 power cord & no instruction about 12 volt use. But, it's just like my 15" Sharp LCD. I went to radio shack & for $10 I got a 12 volt cigarette lighter power cord which accepts different end adapters. Making sure the adapter is connected properly (+ & -)it runs off my Class B motorhome's 12 volt house battery with my tv. No need to use my inverter which would draw more power & make noise. Reception from the antenna molded into the roof is great, much better than the analog stations. It's such a small package too. I will be trying it out this weekend along with satellite.
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jimmy77
Arizona
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Joined: 06/18/2008
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Hey Steve,
You should check out the site I mentioned above. I have shopped with them several times and have never had a problem. Sometimes they ship from their UT warehouse and sometimes from PA but I always have my stuff within about 5 business days. They say that they'll take up to 2 days to process but I seem to always have tracking info the next day! Tough break on the 15 day shipping and the missing power cord. Yeah you have gotta be careful about the polarity on them one size fits all cords from radio shack. Get it right and your usually okay, wrong and well now ya need a new tv. Good luck in the future and happy trails!
Jimmy.
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steveh27
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
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Joined: 08/21/2004
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Jimmy,
Thanks for your comments. There was no missing power cord. The Artec is not advertized as for 12 volt use. It comes with a 110 power cord. All anyone has to do is go to radio shack as I described. I'm very happy with the unit. I did need patience for the 15 day delivery time, but it's here now.
Steve
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