A real newbie question

Eluther3

Active Member
Mar 17, 2019
287
Boat Info
1992 Searay 400 EC
Engines
Mercruiser
OK - this is the first boat I have had with 120 an 12v power systems. I am looking at adding a TV and have found one that runs off a 12v 5 amp power supply. Here us the newbie question:

If I put this on the boat, will it run off the batteries when away from the dock and off the generator? My guess is the power supply is converting the 120v power to 12v power. Without the gen, only 12v runs through the system and only those items that can work off 12 will work, even if they are plugged into the 120 circuit. Is that correct?
 
You'll need to have a direct 12v connection to the tv.
 
You'll need to have a direct 12v connection to the tv.
 
OK - this is the first boat I have had with 120 an 12v power systems. I am looking at adding a TV and have found one that runs off a 12v 5 amp power supply. Here us the newbie question:

If I put this on the boat, will it run off the batteries when away from the dock and off the generator? My guess is the power supply is converting the 120v power to 12v power. Without the gen, only 12v runs through the system and only those items that can work off 12 will work, even if they are plugged into the 120 circuit. Is that correct?


That is not how it works. The 12v and 120v systems are isolated and independent of each. 12v systems run off the DC Pannel (your batteries) and 120v systems run off off the AC Pannel (shore / genny). Basically your outlets are dead when off shore / genny.

You will have a battery charger, or better referred to a converter, that supplies 12v to the batteries when on shore / genny power.

You *may* have devices that will work on both 12v and 120v such as a refrigerator. This will have both 12v and 120v circuits with logic on the refrigerator to switch between, prioritizing 120v.

You can add an inverter to convert 12v to 120v, but that requires planning, and modifications to the boats wiring.....a good task for the professionals.

I agree with Golfman25. You need to run 12v to the TV.
I added a 12v TV to my boat, and snipped the 120v->>12v "brick", allowing me to wire into the boats 12v circuit.
 
What size TV?

You can run probably a good size LED TV with a little 12v/120v converter so don't limit yourself to a 12v TV.

I have a 19" and run it on shore power at the dock..... but when I want to watch something while on the hook I use a 12v/120v converter with a splitter to run the TV as well a small digital antenna. Works OK but I really need to install a boat omnidirectional antenna.
 
I have 2 12v TVs. 32" in the salon and a 24" / DVD combo in the master state room. I wired the stateroom to 12v, and did not bother with the other in the salon. We have track vision, and that also runs on 12v.....but the VIP211(satellite receiver box) boxes both require 120v.

For us it does not matter, the genny is always running when we are away from the dock.
 

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