Just a quick picture of that job that we finished up last Wed.
More to follow if that is any interest.
Outstanding!
Hi Dick, I would like to know more of your project if you don't mind. It looks awesome.
How long did it take you to do the install?
Thanks Dave, I appreciate that.
rbark, Originally purchased a 26" Sony 3 years ago, but couldn't figure how make it look factory original, so this last July, got a 32" Sony LCD.
Been working on it every since. Did turn our garage into a wood working shop.
In the mean time, we replaced the Auqa-Hot exhaust pipe, both windshields (at Erhart), both vac-jet roof vents, Dometic roof vent, generator feed hose (including cutting a 12" hole in the floor), replaced the door seal, screen door gasket, step vinyl curtain, and now installing the Splendite washer/dryer.
That is a fantastic installation job!!! I have an LCD television up front but it blocks the two side cupboards (a former owner did the installation). I want to modify the cupboards and put an LED television into place. I bought an LED TV for our home after our LCD Samsung was stolen and I could just kiss the guy who took that Samsung! :P
LED sets are brighter with better contrast and use less energy and, very importantly, are much, much thinner than their LCD or Plasma brethren.
Craig
Beautiful job. Looks factory installed. I see many hours went into that.
Why does it always take longer and cost more than our best estimates? ;D
Steve
I had MOT install a 26" Sony flat screen in front, love the picture and remote etc, only issue is the amount of heat it puts off, I should have watched for the amount of wattage it uses as it makes for a great front heater and takes a toll on the batteries/inverter. The 19" in bedroom is a Viso and it runs much cooler, less wattage.
Dick,
Beautiful job!! Did you rebuild the door on the left of the TV and did you build a new door for the newly created compartment on the forward port side?
We bought a 46" C8000 Samsung about 6 months after they came out. It is just awesome.
Before I got it set up, I looked at them at our local Best Buy - with an entire wall full of TVs (at least 60) the Samsung LED models stood out among them clear as a bell. There's been lots of software upgrades for it and the matching BluRay 3D player.
There's even an app for it - I can control it from my Iphone (and Ipad)!
The 32" Sony's and Sharps are really the hot ticket for an older coach though - as much as I like my Samsung.
I have a 26" Samsung LCD that I might put in the stateroom but it's out of contention for the front because it has wide margins (where the speakers - which are not that great - are located). You can see in the photo above that the existing LCD TV also has wide margins. I have a VIzio LED at the lake house that has narrow margins all around but with speakers at the bottom (which is still narrow). I am probably a year away from a mod like the one Dick has done but that's the direction I intend to move towards. I just hope I can do it half as well.
Craig
Just mounted a LG 26" up front using this mount, turned out premo.
This site is under construction. (http://store.videomountstore.com/ommouncofldo.html)
Sweet! Great link. Might be exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks. :)
Craig
Dick, what type of mount did you use? The woodworking looks beautiful!
Nice job! I did a somewhat similar installation of a Sony 32" in our '98 U320, however decided to keep the unit above the Captain's chair. I did angle the installed position down 5-degrees and "in" 3-degrees. I used a Ramco 24" extendable swivel-mount to facilitate access to the back of the TV and to make removal/installation (if necessary) easier. We can also extend and move the TV to the center for viewing, if we so-desire. Haven't found that necessary. The smaller adjacent cabinet houses a compact Sony DVD player, and I installed two bisquit fans (one on either side, behind the TV) to insure proper ventilation/cooling. They're temp activated and quite silent.
Howdy Chad,
I like your set-up and I'm wondering if you could provide more information on your "Ramco 24" extendable swivel-mount "? A google search is not returning any information.
Thanks, Dave Abel
Howdy back, Dave!
Good to hear from you! Ramco owns "MoView" [www.moview.com]. Go there and select "RV and Marine mounts". I purchased their WDSL 24" Double Swing Arm with a built-in lock to keep it "in" while moving. I installed some tapered wedges where the mount attaches to a new bulkhead installed. The wedges tilt the TV down 5-degrees (and "in" 3-degrees) so as the TV is extended out, it also drops down, allowing room (from the ceiling) for the TV to be easily lifted up and off the arm. Also provided a proper viewing-angle. Works very well.
Dick & Sue,
I like your installation, it looks like something that would work in my 2003 U295. Please post more photos.
Thanks, Tom
First I want to give credit to Jerry Whiteaker (April 23, 2011) for steering me in the right direction on this project.
Second, Dave Flanagan @ FOT for all the little incites that he gave us.
I have posted a few more pictures and answers to the questions
Questions:
Why LCD? LED was more money and smaller speakers (poor sound) and Plasma will not survive the road vibration.
Wall Mount? Amazon.com: VideoSecu Tilt TV Wall Mount Bracket for Most 32"- 65" LED LCD (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TIG36C/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details) I cut 8 3/4"off one end for a better fit.
Doors? Had Dave Flanagan @ FOT place the shop order for the two small doors. Also helped with the fasteners, catches & wire chase.
Little details:
Installed black cord board over the foam insulation to control the fall out and for a cleaner look.
Mounted a 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" box aluminum to form a support the mounting bracket
Panasonic BluRay player mounted about the Bose.
Recovered the valance below the cabinet with new vinyl.
New Winegard bat wing and amplifier. New coax cables.
Small fan (from computer power supply) above wall mount to vent cabinet and LCD.
Relocated 110v outlets for the new equipment.
And last, all work done in our garage on a small "folding table with just hand tools.
Chad, did the Biscuit fans you use come with the thermo control or did you add that to the wiring? I like the idea of the fans coming on automatically. Did you buy on-line?
You did a nice job by the way.
Hi Richard;
Yes, the biscuit-fans are roughly 3" square, a/c powered and have a small temp-sensor bulb on a 18" or so wire connected to the controller/motor assembly. I installed the fans because Sony (and most LCD/LED TV manufacturers) say "don't install the TV any closer than 11" from the ceiling, and do-not "enclose" - for cooling purposes. The fans I used are variable speed, dependent upon the temperature sensed. I put the sensor-bulbs above/behind the TV; one on either side. The fans are reasonable quiet and never seeming to run at full-speed so I'm assuming they're doing their job. My only complaint on the fans I used is they never seem to completely shut-down; just slow-down to the lowest speed. I installed a remotely-controlled power-buss (and surge-protector) behind the center cabinets when I rebuilt them. That buss controls power for the TV and the fans. When not watching TV, we power everything down to reduce ghost electrical loads. "Yes" I purchased my biscuit-fans on-line but unfortunately I can't find the receipt to tell you where - sorry. There are however numerous sources for them; you shouldn't have a problem locating.