Having electricity is something many of us take for granted. We flick a switch, and our homes are suddenly brightened. With just a push of a button, our TVs turn on, ready for us to channel surf or stream our favorite shows. But what happens when the power goes out and you’re left without electricity? Is it still possible to turn your TV on?
The short answer is yes, you can turn your TV on without relying on the electrical grid. While it may seem challenging at first, there are a few different methods you can try to power and operate your television during an outage. With some clever thinking and the right gear, you can enjoy TV entertainment even without access to wall outlets.
Use a Power Inverter Connected to Your Car
One of the most convenient ways to power a TV without electricity from the grid is by using your car. Most vehicles have a 12-volt outlet that can provide power when the engine is running. You’ll need to get a power inverter, which converts the 12-volt DC current into standard 120-volt AC current that a TV requires. Power inverters plug into your car’s 12-volt outlet and contain normal AC outlets to plug devices into.
Here are some tips for powering a TV with a car power inverter:
- Check the wattage rating on your TV and purchase an appropriate wattage inverter (usually between 400-1000 watts).
- Make sure the engine is running while operating the TV to provide continuous power.
- Be aware of energy draw. Large TVs may drain your car battery after 1-2 hours.
- Position your car so the exhaust fumes blow away from your viewing area.
- Use an extension cord to run power from your car to the TV location if needed.
Powering a TV through your car is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to watch TV during an outage. Just be mindful of energy consumption so you don’t drain your car battery.
Recommended Power Inverters for Using With a Car
| Power Inverter | Wattage | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| BESTEK 300W Power Inverter | 300 watts | Dual AC outlets, USB ports, affordable price |
| KRIËGER 1100 Watt 12V Power Inverter | 1100 watts | High power, digital display, stabilization system |
| WZRELB 3000W Power Inverter | 3000 watts | Extremely high power output, quality construction |
Use a Gas Generator
Another option is powering your TV with a gas generator. Portable generators can supply AC power when standard electricity is unavailable. They run on propane, gasoline, or diesel fuel to generate continuous power to devices plugged into their outlets.
Here are some tips for running a TV with a generator:
- Select a generator with enough wattage for your TV. Aim for 2000-5000 watts to be safe.
- Make sure the generator is placed in a well-ventilated outdoor area when running.
- Plug your TV directly into the generator’s AC outlets.
- Refuel the generator as needed to maintain power.
- Turn the TV and generator off when not in use to conserve fuel.
Generators provide reliable AC power for larger appliances like TVs. Just take precautions to operate them safely away from living areas due to dangerous exhaust fumes.
Recommended Portable Generators for Powering a Television
| Generator | Wattage | Fuel Type |
|---|---|---|
| Westinghouse iGen2500 | 2500 watts | Gasoline |
| Champion 3400-Watt Dual Fuel Generator | 3400 watts | Gasoline or propane |
| DuroMax XP12000EH | 12000 watts | Dual fuel – gasoline or propane |
Connect Your TV to a Battery Power Source
You can power a TV directly using large batteries designed for high energy output. Large batteries like marine batteries or RV batteries can be wired to power 12-volt and 120-volt devices when fully charged. The key is using an inverter to change the DC battery power into standard AC current for your TV.
Here is the process for hooking up a TV to battery power:
- Obtain one or more large deep cycle batteries for maximum power storage.
- Get an appropriate wattage inverter that can handle your TV’s energy needs.
- Connect the battery terminals directly to the inverter.
- Plug your TV into the AC outlet on the inverter.
- Recharge the batteries as needed to keep the TV powered.
With the right gear, you can enjoy hours of TV entertainment from a properly charged battery bank. Just be aware of runtime so you don’t completely drain the batteries.
Recommended Battery and Inverter Options for Powering TVs
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery | 12v marine battery, deep cycle RV battery, or multiple car batteries wired in parallel. |
| Inverter | 600 watt or higher power inverter like the Go Power! GP-SW600-12. |
| Wiring | Appropriately sized 12 AWG or larger gauge wire for connections. |
Use Solar Panels to Generate Power
One renewable way to power a TV without electricity is setting up a small solar power system. Solar panels can capture energy from the sun and convert it into usable 12-volt DC current during the daytime. You’ll need a charge controller, inverter, battery bank, wiring, and safety gear to create a complete working system.
Follow these general steps to run a TV from solar power:
- Obtain a 100-300 watt solar panel kit and mounting equipment.
- Mount panels on your roof or in a sunny area.
- Connect the panels to a charge controller to manage energy flow.
- Wire the charge controller to a 12-volt battery to store power.
- Connect an inverter from the battery to create AC current.
- Finally, plug your TV into the inverter outlet to turn it on.
Solar energy lets you turn your TV on using just the sun! With proper setup, you can watch television on solar electricity even when the grid is down.
Recommended 100W Solar Panel Kits
| Solar Panel Kit | Components |
|---|---|
| Renogy 100W Solar Panel Kit | 100W solar panel, 30A charge controller, wiring, MC4 connectors |
| ECO-WORTHY 100W Solar Panel Kit | 100W solar panel, 20A charge controller, solar cable, Z-brackets |
| ALLPOWERS 100W Solar Panel Kit | 100W solar panel, 10A charge controller, connectors, cables |
Use a Small Wind Turbine for Renewable Power
Another eco-friendly option is powering your TV with a small wind turbine. Small wind turbines can harness the power of wind to generate electricity and charge batteries. They work on the same principle as larger wind farms but on a smaller scale for home use. With a battery bank to store power, you can tap into wind energy to run a TV when there are outage conditions.
Here are the key steps to utilize a wind turbine for powering a TV:
- Obtain a small 400-1000 watt wind turbine and tower kit.
- Assemble and erect the wind turbine in a very windy, open area.
- Connect the turbine to a charge controller and 12-volt battery setup.
- Hook an inverter up to the battery to generate AC power.
- Plug your television into the inverter and enjoy the wind energy!
Small wind turbines are an excellent way to take advantage of wind power to run electronics off-grid. Just make sure to install them properly for safety and maximum energy production.
Quality Small Wind Turbines Under 1000 Watts
| Wind Turbine | Peak Wattage | Tower Height |
|---|---|---|
| WindyNation 400 Watt Wind Turbine | 400 watts | Up to 30 ft. |
| Hummer 500 Watt Wind Turbine | 500 watts | Up to 33 ft. |
| Pika T701 Wind Turbine | 700 watts | Up to 43 ft. |
Take Your TV to a Nearby Power Source
If you don’t have any way to generate electricity, one simple solution is to take your TV to an active power source nearby. For example, you could take your TV in your vehicle and drive to a friend’s house, a family member’s place, or even a public location where the power is still on.
Here are some options to consider when taking your TV to a power source:
- A friend or neighbor’s home – Ask politely if you can watch TV at their house.
- A relative’s house such as parents or siblings.
- Public locations like the library, community center, mall, or school.
- Motels and hotels may let you pay to use a room just for TV access.
- Outdoor venues such as parks, campsites, truck stops, and restaurants with power.
With the right adapters or a small generator, you could turn your TV on anywhere there is an electricity source and receptive hosts. This workaround provides TV access without powering it yourself.
Use an Alternative Device Like a Car TV or Battery-Powered Monitor
If your regular television is completely idle without power access, an alternate option is using a device designed for mobile operation. There are solutions like:
- Car TVs – TVs designed for vehicle installation run on 12-volt DC power.
- Portable DVD players – These battery-operated devices have built-in screens.
- Battery-powered monitors – Small LCD monitors can run on rechargeable batteries.
- Laptops/tablets – Streaming capability and internal batteries.
- Handheld game systems – Devices like Nintendo Switch have limited streaming.
Using a mobile device gives you TV/video options without needing to power a standard AC-dependent television. Just utilize your car, charged batteries, or other built-in power sources.
Recommended Alternative Devices for TV Viewing Without Power
| Device | Power Options | Viewing Details |
|---|---|---|
| Axion 12-Inch Car TV | Cigarette lighter 12V DC power | Built-in DVD player, SD/USB/HDMI |
| DBPOWER 10.5-Inch Portable DVD Player | Rechargeable battery, vehicle adapter | Swivel screen, SD/USB support |
| Gechic 11.6-Inch Portable Monitor | Rechargeable battery | Thin 1080p display, 75% charge in 1 hour |
Consider Non-Electric Entertainment Options
When no power is available, you can still enjoy entertainment without electronics. Consider these alternatives:
- Board/card games – Play classic games like Scrabble, chess, Monopoly, cards.
- Reading – Books, magazines, comics. Daylight or battery-powered lights.
- Puzzles/LEGOs – Take your time assembling jigsaw or building sets.
- Arts & crafts – Get creative drawing, coloring, painting, origami.
- Writing – Pen your thoughts in a journal, draft stories.
- Imaginative play – Make up characters and settings.
- Outdoor activities – When weather permits, play games or sports outside.
Unplugging from electronics can open up fun opportunities for hands-on play, quality time with others, relaxation, and creative expression.
Recommended Non-Electric Indoor Entertainment Activities
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Board/Card games | Scrabble, Monopoly, Life, chess, checkers, playing cards |
| Building toys | LEGO, blocks, Lincoln Logs, Tinkertoy, Erector Set |
| Puzzles | Jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, sudoku, word searches |
| Crafts | Knitting, jewelry making, origami, whittling, candle making |
| Creative arts | Writing, drawing, coloring, painting, playing music |
Conclusion
Losing power doesn’t have to mean losing your entertainment, even when it comes to power-hungry devices like TVs. With the techniques and equipment covered here, you can devise reliable ways to turn your television on without grid electricity. Whether you opt for mobile power sources like car and battery setups, self-sufficient solutions like solar panels and generators, or non-electric activities, the show can go on without utility access!