Just bought a 12 V Soniq 19" lcd with inbuilt dvd player. Also has USB port that will read AVI,DIVEX files. Great buy for $475 from JB Hi FI.

sounds great Garry, let us know how you get on with it

Please excuse me if this is a "stupid" question.  We are looking to buy an LCD for the van but I am confused as to whether to look for a 12V compatible set or not. What happens if we "bush camp" and cannot simply plug in to a mains supply?  How do we run the TV?  Heeeeellllp!

MikeMin wrote:

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Please excuse me if this is a "stupid" question.  We are looking to buy an LCD for the van but I am confused as to whether to look for a 12V compatible set or not. What happens if we "bush camp" and cannot simply plug in to a mains supply?  How do we run the TV?  Heeeeellllp!

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We had a 12V socket directly wired from the battery fitted, that way when out bush just need to plug it into that, when connected to mains just use normal power outlet. So, you will need 2 leads, the one that comes with the set plus a 12v lead.

 Alternately it can be run from an invertor but that needs to be looked at closely. There are more informed people here that can advise you on the use of invertors than I can.

-- Edited by Gary and Kerry at 08:45, 2008-09-17

gday michael, my friend had this thing where he refused to pay another electricity bill so what he did was to make up a bycycle affair with an alternator where the back wheel used to be, he then fed the power lines to an inverter and plugged his t.v. into that, now what I suggest is that you make up one of these sytems and everytime you wish to watch t.v., tell the missus to "GET PEDDLING"

I know this is not about LCD, but it reminded me of "Talc Alf". He lives up past Leigh Creek, SA. He had a washing machine, driven by a bike - recons, it keep the weight down, while doing the washing. Interesting bloke.

two bob I reckon I met that feller, has he got an old bus that he lives in and he peddles his washing machine on a reclinocycle, the washing machine from memory is an old wringer type. Mikemin, I'm sorry about the earlier answer I'm a bit out of it today, feel a bit narky. lost an old mate, anyway if you are only going to power your lcd t.v. for a couple of hours for one night at a time and then travel for a couple of hours the next day then all you need is your vehicle battery dont take it out of your car (100 amp minimum) and a 300 watt inverter, plug the inverter in to your cigarette lighter socket and plug the telly in to the inverter, keep the cable from the cigarette socket to the inverter short and use an extension cord for the telly, from memory the t.v. is only about 20 watts, possibly wrong here but it is very little, I run my 19" lcd plus a couple of lights off my setup (bit more complex but basically the same) without any problem, you will not flatten your battery the inverter has a low voltage cutout that will still allow the vehicle to start, the trouble comes in when you start to get greedy, I.E. I'm taking everything known to modern man with me and I'm going to use it whenever I want, doesnt work like that, in order to stay out longer or use more "stuff" then you need to get a bit more knowledge and be prepared to have your wallet ready, but to do only what you described then a 300 watt inverter plugged in to your cigarette lighter socket will be fine, you may have to have your accesories on in order to power the socket. anyway hope that is a help to you, if not give me an email and I will explain in more detail

-- Edited by dave06 at 20:40, 2008-09-17