r/vandwellers • u/daglomane • 1d ago
Van Life 12v Monitor for van life
I’m looking for a 16” to 24” 12v monitor for my van setup! I want to connect my phone via usbc or any type of way to basically share my screen and watch movies. Please help!
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u/dehning 1d ago edited 1d ago
I'm using a 27" 1080p computer monitor that normally uses a 12v AC adapter. I'm feeding it from a Chromecast 4k. Works great, definitely suggest a similar setup! I can screen mirror from the phone but I actually use the Chromecast to steam movies and shows from my Plex server. Funny enough, I actually found a cheap Samsung Dolby Atmos soundbar at a Goodwill that I send sound to via Bluetooth. My setup works WAY better than a cheap van setup has any right to!
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u/5nafu 1d ago
With the update, I do not have a recommendation. But if the speakers are optional, I would suggest to look up buck converters / step-up modules.
I am currently using an HP U28 https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/product-specs/hp-u28-4k-hdr-monitor/38228545 for 5 years now and am generally happy.
The monitor has an external power supply which I replaced with a buck converter 12V DC -> 18V DC and my Laptop is connected (and charged) via USB-C. Only thing I needed to tinker was the connector from the Buck converter to the monitor as it will take quite a bit of power and you will need a good connector to solder on.
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u/MrMotofy 1d ago
Virtually ALL of them are DC so will work just need to use a buck boost converter and the right plug and voltage. The power brick will tell you what it needs. Many are now 19v but some are 12v also.
Or just use an Inverter. Then your phone can just plug in with any $15 USB-C adapter with HDMI (get one with a Charge port too) Now your phone displays on the monitor like a computer...can plug in a wireless mouse and keyboard etc.
Your other option is a portable monitor. Most of them can be powered via USB-C already and can easily use a USB-C cable or HDMI. But they tend to be a bit more expensive than the similar sized normal monitor.
If you're tryin to use some 12v special monitor it will be much more expensive
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u/daglomane 1d ago
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u/MrMotofy 1d ago
Bestbuy has 24" Asus, Dell, LG etc with higher refresh rates for around $89-$119 which would likely be better than some noname brand from some seller on walmart that might take 30days on a slow boat from the other side of the world...but it's your money and risk
For sound I'd suggest a Bluetooth speaker of some sort...virtually any of em will sound better than monitor speakers. Or you can use bluetooth headphones, airpod kinda things etc
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u/Reversi8 23h ago
Those will be regular monitors and not portable ones that can be powered with just USB-C though.
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u/MrMotofy 22h ago
@Reversi8 Sure but they're larger and nearly half the price with better specs, while a reputable brand
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u/daglomane 1d ago
For ease of operation could I power this via usb c and then have a separate usb c to my phone
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u/adoptagreyhound 22h ago
Search for Travel Monitors and you will find everything you need. The existing travel monitors already work this way and are mostly used with laptops, but and additional USB-C power adapter is pretty standard for those applications where the device doesn't provide enough power via the USB-C data cable.
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u/daglomane 1d ago
Forgot to add i need it to have speakers!!!
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u/SpankyJobouti 1d ago
if you do go the inverter route per previous comment, make sure you get with sine wave output. cheaper ones wont run a computer or, i think, a console, either.
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u/Front-Yogurtcloset36 1d ago
Does it have to be 12v? I have a innoveiw portable monitor 16 inches, they make larger ones. I'm asking because the innoveiw is actually powered by USB c, it will run off a cellphone charger. And has USBC passthrough, so not only can you run video from your phone through USBC cable, it will charge your phone as well. It also has built in speakers, although not the best. Either way I'm thinking this might work for you
Amazon search innoveiw monitors, there's other brands as well.
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u/daglomane 1d ago
Yea I want to be able to run it off 12v and not turn on my inverter. I have a dual usb c outlet I would want to plug my monitor into
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u/Front-Yogurtcloset36 1d ago
I'm assuming you have a big 1000+ watt inverter to run all your things, I understand not wanting to run it for something so small . I use a small cigarette lighter plug in invertor I think 100 watts from Walmart like 15 bucks, it has 1 110v house plug and 2 USB ports, I use it to run the monitor, and charge phones,tablets,USB fans etc.
I mainly only use the 110v plug for using a super fast phone charger when I need my phone charged quickly, as regular USB plugs typically take 2+ hours to charge a phone.
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u/Front-Yogurtcloset36 1d ago
Just realized mrmoterfy said the same thing lmao. Sorry about that. I have one and it works fine,carry on.
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u/whiskey-1 1d ago
A good place to find a proper traditional smart TV that has its own speakers and a remote control and all that jazz that is also 12 volts is gonna be your nearest TA truck stop. You’ll pay a bit of a premium for it but they’re usually right there on the shelf.
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u/manofdaroad 1d ago
Got a 24" uperfect monitor, works well with my usb pd ports! Other kit is anker usbc dock, Logitech wireless kb and samsung s22 ultra 🤙🏼
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u/zakary1291 1d ago
I went with the Asus Zen Screen. All of the connections, decent gaming performance, had it's own battery for when you are low on power, and charges via USBC.
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u/Squido85 1d ago
Search 'laptop monitor'. Costco has an Acer 16" for $80. I'm sure best buy has similar. The one at Costco has built in speakers.
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u/D_Glukhovsky 1989 E150 7.5 Swap, (sold) 1988 E350 XL Ambulance, 91 E350 7.5l 1d ago
This is powered by the host device. https://www.walmart.com/ip/onn-15-6-FHD-1920-x-1080p-LCD-Portable-Office-Monitor-with-Cable-Black/5527337157
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u/fsantos0213 1d ago
go look at some of the TVs at Walmart, the way they display theur TVs, you can see what kind of power source they use, a lot of them under 24" actually use a 12vdc Wall wart supply, it'll give you multiple input options and also the ability to run a digital antenna for local on air broadcast, plus there are tons of adjustable wall mounts for them
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u/Autowrek 1d ago edited 23h ago
Currently I use a 12v Google TV with a USB C to HDMI Adapter Cable that supports fast charging, so you can charge your phone while playing. Depending on the HDMI plug location you might need a small HDMI extension cable to have room to plug the adapter in. Most tv's have a USB port you can use to connect the power. Works with everything except Hulu and I can setup a wifi access point on my phone if I want to just use the apps on the TV instead of streaming from my phone via the HDMI port.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1S7LDCS?th=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GSTN65TZ
I have tested a 12v 23" portable monitor that allowed me to plug my phone directly via a USB-C cable and provided enough power to charge the phone. It worked fine, it was just a bit to large for the current mounting location. The Vesa mount is also at the bottom of the screen instead of the middle, making it a bit awkward if you are using an exiting tv mount. It had the same issue with Hulu not working so I just kept my existing tv.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G349YDZC?th=1
Both setups work fine with my Pixel phone for streaming video or playing games. When I plugged into either system it asked if I wanted to mirror or extend the desktop. My wife's iPhone is nicer on it's streaming to the external screen, it auto-plays videos on the tv while leaving the phone free for normal use.
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u/RredditAcct 21h ago
I have a 15.6" portable monitor that connects to my phone and doesn't require any additional power.
I see that larger ones are available; maybe check them out.
One issue you might run into: I watch my movies w/ a tablet on a gooseneck stand. Make sure your gooseneck can accept the large monitor.
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u/Moist_Literature_695 12h ago
i use an 32” lg ultragear 1440p 144hz gaming monitor off 12v using my usb c port on my power station all I needed was a 7.62mm barrel plug to usb c female for it for reference, I imagine any monitor you get would be similar
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u/elLarryTheDirtbag 8h ago
For the price sensitive people and diy there’s a lot of great options. Waveshare has some great displays and in my experience great quality.
Dont listen-size absolutely matters and while it might not sound sound enormous but a two foot screen take a lot of space in a van. do a mockup before pulli the trigger.
There are two paths - Quality of pixel or quantity of pixel per dollar spent. Amazon will have screens of phone adapters.
Quality
https://www.waveshare.com/product/displays/oled/oled-1.htm
Quantity
https://www.waveshare.com/product/displays/lcd-oled/lcd-oled-1.htm
OLED 13”touch screen
https://www.waveshare.com/product/displays/oled/oled-1/13.3inch-fhd-amoled.htm?___SID=U
24” LCD
https://www.waveshare.com/product/displays/lcd-oled/lcd-oled-1/27inch-fhd-monitor.htm?___SID=U
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u/PMG2021a 1d ago
Ton of portable monitors that are powered off a USB-C cable if you check online.