Alphatronics TV voltage query

[RobinE]

When off grid after about an hour TV switches to standby displaying low voltage warning. Leisures baterries still well charged.
At home now and running some basic tests, SOC of batteries is 83% and 12v socket next to TV location tests out at 13.1v, but TV Android home screen shows only 12.4 volt. Switching over to EHU, TV displays 12.9 volt and 12 v socket 13.4v.
This is a Hymer van with the TV integrated into the audio system, with all wiring hidden away, so tracing that through is not an option for me.
So my next step will be to try plugging the TV directly into the adjacent 12 volt socket. But I am unsure whether I can just plug it in directly or need a voltage regulator?
Or any ideas what might be going on?

 

[autorouter]

Which Alphatronics model is it? The manual I've seen says the TV works from any voltage from 9V to 32V. That means it's designed to work from an automotive power source, which can vary in voltage considerably. Typically 9V when the battery is powering some devices, to over 16V if the alternator produces a voltage spike. So it should work fine with a voltage of 12.0V.

I don't know why the screen is saying it's only getting 12.4V when the socket provides 13.1V, but if the TV is reading the voltage accurately then it could be a bad connection on the wire between the socket and the TV. A loose/broken wire, a fuse that's corroded/oxidised, that kind of thing.

 

[LithiumConvert]

socket next to TV location tests out at 13.1v, but TV Android home screen shows only 12.4 volt.

The socket has no load, but the TV is loading its connection.

Sounds like, maybe, the power wiring to the TV is not up to the job.

then it could be a bad connection on the wire between the socket and the TV. A loose/broken wire, a fuse that's corroded/oxidised, that kind of thing.

quiite likely so.

 

[RobinE]

Thank you, Autoroute, it's an Alphatronics SL-32 DSBAI+.
I cannot find anything in the manual regarding voltage other than to use the correct 12v device connection.
I am not able to trace the wiring for a bad connection as the power cable dissappears into the 12 volt 'loom', so that will have to wait till the next dealer visit.
In the meantime would it be safe to use a separate cable from the nearby 12v socket? Or would I need to include some sort of regulator?

 

[pappajohn]

In the meantime would it be safe to use a separate cable from the nearby 12v socket? Or would I need to include some sort of regulator?

With in input range of 9v to 32v no voltage stabilizer required.

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[RobinE]

Thank you, I have now found the datasheet for this model which states the input voltage to be between 10.8 and 24v so good to go. Just need to take the TV off its mounting bracket which is hiding all the connections and then find a lead to fit the socket.

 

[Figaro]

Thank you, I have now found the datasheet for this model which states the input voltage to be between 10.8 and 24v so good to go. Just need to take the TV off its mounting bracket which is hiding all the connections and then find a lead to fit the socket.

Hi Robin,
Did you ever get to the source of this problem ?
I have a 24" alphatronics TV which is shutting down claiming low voltage whereas the leisure battery is at 12.4 v ish.
My 12v panel shuts off at 11.7v and it's been nowhere near that.
I'll check connections as per autorouter suggestion when I can.

 

[Sunny]

I am getting exactly the same problem on an Alphatronics 32”, it’s fine if on ehu but states voltage too low when just using onboard 12v batteries, even though they are relatively new batteries with a good voltage … did anyone find a solution? Many thanks

 

[stewartwebr]

Alphatronics are the worst TVs I have ever owned. Never had the undervoltage issue but trying to do anything with them is a nightmare, even the remote control is so non intuitive. I pleased to learn that MORELO have dropped them and moving to Avtex for 2025 models.

 

[Lenny HB]

Alphatronics are the worst TVs I have ever owned. Never had the undervoltage issue but trying to do anything with them is a nightmare, even the remote control is so non intuitive. I pleased to learn that MORELO have dropped them and moving to Avtex for 2025 models.

We are having to suffer an Alphatronics as its the only one that fits in the TV cabinet.
I alway though they were crap.
This ones not too bad as it is a smart TV and uses LG's Web OS so similar to our LG OLED at home to operate but don't think much of the picture quality.
They are crap for the money.

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[Figaro]

I am getting exactly the same problem on an Alphatronics 32”, it’s fine if on ehu but states voltage too low when just using onboard 12v batteries, even though they are relatively new batteries with a good voltage … did anyone find a solution? Many thanks

I'm back from my trip now and testing the voltage at the connections for the TV is on my list of jobs to do over the weekend.
But I'm sure it's the tv rather than the battery.
The TV is supposed to work off 10v and as said my panel shuts down at 11.7v so it must be miss reading. I just can't be sure yet there isn't a bad connection.
The OP hasn't been seen since February
Hopefully I'll find out soon

 

[MichaelT]

We are having to suffer an Alphatronics as its the only one that fits in the TV cabinet.
I alway though they were crap.
This ones not too bad as it is a smart TV and uses LG's Web OS so similar to our LG OLED at home to operate but don't think much of the picture quality.
They are crap for the money.

We thought ours was a great picture.

 

[Figaro]

We thought ours was a great picture.

My picture is excellent, just annoying when it switches off

 

[Lenny HB]

We thought ours was a great picture.

Depends what you are used twe have an OLED at home so anything less looks fuzzy.
I don't think it's as good as the Cello I fitted in the last van, and not being able to adjust the sound equilisation due to the way Carthago have wired it is a pain.

 

[Jwats]

They may have changed the boxes now but on up to this year on the fiat carthagos, they fit an amp behind the passenger glovebox (if right hand drive) this amp did have all the sound adjustment located on this independent of what was set on the alphatronics. Be warned if you play with it though that these boxes are a notorious pain when they play up

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[Lenny HB]

On our van we have the Fiat infotainment system, the head unit has 4 video/audio inputs but Carthago refuse to connect this.
They connect direct to the Fiat amp from the headphone socket on the TV. This means as the TV headphone jack is used there is no equalistion adjustment on the TV and of course going direct to the amp none there.

So you pay £2400 for the infotainment system another £2000 for the media package and they can't be bothered to integrate them, total bollocks.

 

[Jwats]

They must of just changed the amp this year then as previous years since the series 8 was released regardless of the info system you adjust treble bass etc on the amp itself. Was always a pain to get at and out. Because of issues I have seen with these I’ve always said I take the signal wire out from the alpha brain and just mount a 12v soundbar somewhere as the new alphatronics are a pretty decent tv and it’s very hard to fit an avtex in its place

 

[MichaelT]

Depends what you are used twe have an OLED at home so anything less looks fuzzy.
I don't think it's as good as the Cello I fitted in the last van, and not being able to adjust the sound equilisation due to the way Carthago have wired it is a pain.

We have OLED too but still find the van tv fine, I have been to specsavers though

 

[MichaelT]

On our van we have the Fiat infotainment system, the head unit has 4 video/audio inputs but Carthago refuse to connect this.
They connect direct to the Fiat amp from the headphone socket on the TV. This means as the TV headphone jack is used there is no equalistion adjustment on the TV and of course going direct to the amp none there.

So you pay £2400 for the infotainment system another £2000 for the media package and they can't be bothered to integrate then, total bollocks.

We don't have Fiat just the media pack so set the head unit to AUX and sound comes out the speakers in the van. Not sure if there's an amplifier or not but sound is pretty good for both TV and radio, the radio is the cheapest crappiest pioneer unit though so we may get it changed for a better one.

 

[Vansflyer]

Bose Soundlink Mini sorts the sound out for our Alphatronics via Headphone socket but it is a "Tv" rather than the split unit they now sometimes fit to Carthago. Bt works Ok but slightly poor sync so hardwire is best. Fed from an Icycrypt sat box or fire stick I am very impressed with the picture TBH... And I am a fussy bloke after 30 years in the Tv and audio industry! Maybe the newer ones are less good? Oh and never had voltage issue in 5.5 years... kiss of death saying that obvs... LOL

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[Lenny HB]

They must of just changed the amp this year then as previous years since the series 8 was released regardless of the info system you adjust treble bass etc on the amp itself. Was always a pain to get at and out. Because of issues I have seen with these I’ve always said I take the signal wire out from the alpha brain and just mount a 12v soundbar somewhere as the new alphatronics are a pretty decent tv and it’s very hard to fit an avtex in its place

I can sort it out but it's the principle they charge rediculass prices for options and can't be arsed to install them properly.

 

[Lenny HB]

I think the picture quality is poor for the price of the TV, I'm not referring to Carthago price just the Alphatronics price.

 

[LithiumConvert]

as the new alphatronics are a pretty decent tv

It has a satellite tuner, but no Freesat TV guide which is just plain nonsense.

We are actively looking for a sensible replacement.

But it does work on 12 volts from the leisure battery - probably because the lithium holds the voltage stable.

 

[Jwats]

never had an issue, you press guide the list opens and shows you what’s on the channels. Do have to put the channels in order yourself if you did a blind scan when setting up but not that different to avtex when channels are set up. Only one man’s opinion I really like the alphatronics apart from mouse pointer remote part

 

[Vansflyer]

I am getting exactly the same problem on an Alphatronics 32”, it’s fine if on ehu but states voltage too low when just using onboard 12v batteries, even though they are relatively new batteries with a good voltage … did anyone find a solution? Many thanks

Have you pressed the info button on the Tv remote to see what voltage the Tv thinks it is getting? Just been giving it some thought and our Alphatronics always says 12. something volts when the Lithium is nearly always above that, ( we rarely use EHU). This would indicate Media circuit has a voltage regulator and low voltage on the TV could indicate the CBE or whatever control unit has an issue?

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[Sunny]

Yes I have pressed info and the voltage fluctuates between 12.0 and 11.7 the batteries show well over 13… I did try powering the tv from a power station but then the Hymer cab speakers don’t seem to work!? Also the tv has a blue light when off that goes off for a second every 5 ish seconds and it is very hit and miss trying to turn the tv on, so may need to contact Alphatronics for advice? It does have a control unit under the passenger seat but seems a complicated setup just to use the radio speakers

 

[Vansflyer]

Could be a number of issues. Whatever voltage the TV says it will work with 12v is a low supply, if accurate, The blue flashing light is ominous as that normally indicates a error code on the;TV.
If the TV I still powered by an external source and the rest of the van is "turned on" as normal it does not stack up why the audio is no longer working. Did the TV work properly when you used the power station apart from no sound and what was the voltage when pressing info?
Is the screen a proper TV or just a monitor? The easy wayto see is what connections the screen has on it, one large umbilical cord normally means a monitor. Power, aerial, HDMI on the back equals a TV.

 

[Just us on Tour]

Depends what you are used twe have an OLED at home so anything less looks fuzzy.
I don't think it's as good as the Cello I fitted in the last van, and not being able to adjust the sound equilisation due to the way Carthago have wired it is a pain.

Hi Lenny
I tend to agree with you . On the 2022 Cathargo we are looking at the TV sound is very weak . On the demo the salesman played the sound through the radio head unit . I thought the picture was pretty average to be honest. My current van has the latest Avtex smart tv which we have connected to the Avtex sound bar. That’s pretty acceptable in a MH . I hope you are enjoying your new Carthago. We are waiting to see what they have a the show later this month. Nice vans.