12V LCD Monitor Power Supply??

[olivermr]

Hi Guys

Heres the vibe. I am trying to find a good solution to running an LCD screen at our navigation desk for an upcoming yacht race. We would like to run the unit off a hidden laptop but realise that it requires power. I have done some research and it seems that using an inverter type system would put quite a bit of strain on our power system ie. an inverter converts battery 12V to say 240V then back down to 12V for the LCD. The other option i believe is to run a 12 DC-DC regulator / converter system. Any suggestions as to how to go about this? I understand i would have to buy an LCD screen that has an independant power unit or wall wart unit but not to sure about matching the LCD regultor / converter and the battery system and how power consumption / isolation would maybe affect the yacht power system.

If you're in the know and willing to help i would be more than stoked!!!

Thanks
Mark

[Landlubber]

olivermr,

The title "12V LCD Monitor Power Supply??" is the LCD screen a 12VDC screen or is it a 240VAC svreen (power input)?

If it is actually a 12VDC screen, just run it directly from the battery, if it is a 240VAC screen, the cheapest supply is going to be an inverter, but as the screen is an LCD, you will have to use a true sine wave inverter, they do cost a bit more than the average modified wave inverter.

[Mylestec]

Try this... a USB powered 4.3" monitor..

http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/10/13/tiny-43-inch-usb-powered-lcd-monitor/

[pistnbroke]

not too sure what you are about but why not mount the laptop to the roof if you have one and bring the screen down like a sun visor ...done this in the car and ok.....check your computer has a suitable output to match the LCD some have video out some VGA handbook will tell you how to invert the screen or switch to external monitor

[Luckless]

2 key things here. How large of a screen do you want (And how small can you actually get away with?) and what video out puts does your laptop have?

I know there are small, 6-12 inch LCD screens that run on a standard 12 (in a few cases 9) volt systems, and take various inputs. You could look around for those rather than using a full sized desktop model. Just be warned you will pay more for the size of the screen compared to a 'normal' desktop one. You will however have more efficient use of your battery than relying on an inverter.

[john schroeder]

I run all my navigation off my laptop. I power a flat screen in the cockpit behind a plexiglass cover . Its 110 volt This is powered by a converter bought from a radio shack . The flat screen is a best buy item with extended warenty I have been using it 6 years no problem its shaded by the dodger and when not navigating Ill watch a movie !But not when driving of course

[Stumble]

Unless you have already bought the TV I would really look at the line of car and RV TV's designed to work off of 12V power. Just do a google search for 12v tv and they pop up all over the place.

[mydauphin]

There are lots of 12v powered LCD screens and many that are 120v but they converted to 12v before it get to screen.