Recreational vehicles are so much fun, and there’s a lot that you can do with your family and friends when you’re exploring different terrains with your gang. So whether it’s your permanent or vacation home, having some entertainment is necessary.
You probably know that you can use a generator to power your TV. But generators are noisy, especially when you run them all night, and they also consume a lot of fuel. So does this mean that you can’t watch TV on your RV?
We’ve got good news for you because, in this article, we’ll explain how to watch TV in an RV without a generator. So keep on reading to learn more to know more about watching your TV off the grid.
How to Watch TV in RV Without Generator
Although it’s always advised to use a generator to power your TV while you’re RVing, some people don’t want to use the generator for several reasons. If this is the case, there are several options available that will help you watch your TV in the RV.
Use a Battery
If you have a TV that runs off 12 volts, using a coach battery will be a good option. You can pack a battery after charging it at home or charge it at hookups that you can find at RV parks.
This is a great option, especially if you’re trying to save on your costs because the battery will always be ready for use. A small TV can run off 15 watts, while a big plasma TV can use up to 500 watts.
However, some of the modern LEDs can run between 100 and 250 watts, so if you have a small TV, you might consider replacing it because it will be more energy-efficient in the long run.
If you have a 110V TV, you need to use an inverter to convert the 12V from the battery to 110V. A pure sine wave inverter works well to power your TV and is less likely to damage your TV and other electrical appliances.
Having a 20% safety margin is essential to protect your appliances from power surges. It also keeps your battery in the best shape.
Nevertheless, forgetting to recharge your battery means that it won’t be able to power your TV or any other appliance on your RV. You should also make sure that the battery is strong enough to power your TV because overloading it means that it will eventually fail.
Use a Solar Panel
Installing a solar panel in your RV is a great clean option to run your TV and other electrical appliances in your RV. Other than the initial installation cost, solar energy is free. It’s also a great option if you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint when you’re off the grid.
Using solar panels is also a great choice if you want a quiet and reliable power source. However, it comes with a few disadvantages that you need to consider.
A solar panel adds significant weight to your RV, so it might affect your speed. Moreover, during the winter months, and if you’re parking your RV in the shade, you might not be able to get enough power to run your TV.
Use a Shore Power
Your RV shore power can be connected to an AC electrical grid to power your TV or any other appliance. Before attempting to do so, you need to check your RV. Most RVs are designed to use 30 or 50 amps. You can definitely connect your RV to a lower amp source, but this can damage your appliances.
This option allows you to use the TV while you’re parked at the RV park. Before you leave the park, you need to break the circuit breaker to disconnect the RV.
Use a UPS
A UPS or uninterruptible power supply is an emergency power source that you can use if you don’t have a battery or a solar panel to power your TV. A UPS should be connected to one of the mains to charge it until you need to power your TV.
However, a UPS will only work for a short time, so it will work if you want to run your TV for a couple of hours. It can also be used if you suddenly run out of power and need a power source to shut down your appliances.
To run your TV for longer hours, you need to buy a larger UPS with 1000 watts or more. If you have a new LED, it will use less power than an older LCD, and in this case, a UPS will work fine. However, a UPS can be a little heavy, so you need to consider its weight before packing it for your RV adventure.
Safety Tips While Running your TV on a 12V Battery
Before attempting to run your TV on a 12V battery, there are a few safety tips that you need to take into consideration to make sure that your appliance will stay functional.
- Always wear protective gear while connecting your TV.
- Make sure that there’s no water or moisture around your TV or battery.
- Avoid installing the inverter into the engine’s compartment.
- Make sure that the inverter is away from any heat source.
- Keep the inverter well-ventilated and away from flammable materials.
- Make sure that the battery is off before connecting it.
Which Battery Should I Use to Power My TV?
Although there are different types of batteries, self-managed lithium batteries work best. They’re flexible and can be expanded to provide a larger energy output when needed. Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries come with a lot of benefits.
- These batteries are designed to be protected from overcharging.
- You can always monitor the amount of energy left in the battery by monitoring the cell voltage.
- They’re designed to prevent shorts and stop working if there are any weak or defective cells.
Wrap Up
Without a generator, you can run your TV and other appliances on the RV. If you have a 12V TV, you can simply connect it to a battery. If the TV runs on a different voltage, you should install an inverter.
There are other options that you can consider if you don’t have a battery. A solar panel is a clean option that costs nothing to run. You can also consider using shore power or a UPS.