LCD - DVD Upgrade Part 2

[oemtech]

Now that I have the LCD TV installed I thought I would install a Home Theater System that I had left over from my house that we sold when we went fulltime and moved in the RV Barn. You may ask why I didn't install it from the factory. Well, Newmar wanted $1981.00 for the option for a $500 system back in 2004.

One of the first things I had to figure out was, would I be able to mount all the pieces to make a complete system. Being that 90% of the sound comes from the Center speaker, the Left and the Right front speakers mounting them was not a problem. Mounting the Sub Woofer and 2 rear Surround Sound speakers did present some problems.

Problem 1:
1) The Left rear Surround sound speaker needed to mounted so the big slide won't hit it.
2) The Right rear Surround speaker needed be mounted so the cupboard doors did not hit it.
3) How to get the speaker wires to the surround sound speakers.

Problem 2:
1 )Where to place the Sub Woofer.
2) How to get the speaker wires to the Sub Woofer.

Mount The Receiver & Center Speaker
This was the easy part. Because I built a shelf in the old TV enclosure I just set the receiver on the shelf. I added some Velcro to the back feet to hold it on the shelf. I made a bracket to mount the center speaker to top of the enclosure. I added a filler strip to each side of the center speaker to complete the install.



Mount the Left & Right Front Speakers
This was not real hard either. I went to Wal Mart and picked up some speaker mounts for $10. I mounted them to the the cabinets and fished the wires down to the receiver.



Mount the Left & Right Rear Surround Sound Speakers
Now comes the fun part, where and how to mount the Surround Sound speakers. Well I decided to remove the radio speakers from the kitchen area and mount the Surround Sound speakers there. I cut 2 6.25" diameter mounting disks from the left over Luan that I used to make the panels for the enclosure. I then made a mounting bracket to mount the speaker to the disk. I covered the disk with the same vinyl I use for the enclosure panels. Put it altogether, attached the speaker wires and screw them to the ceiling.



I did not have to fish any wires from the receiver as I used the existing wires to the speakers that I removed. Newmar wires the 2 kitchen speakers in "Series" with the front speakers for the radio. So all you need to do is cut the ground/return wire and add a connector to the return side of the front radio speaker for them to work. Next you add a length of wire to connect the rear Surround Sound speakers to the receiver.



Mount the Sub Woofer
Finding a spot for the Sub Woofer was fairly easy. I just set it behind the passengers seat. Now routing the wires was not that easy. I finally was able to run the wires from the receiver to the overhead area, down the passengers side "A" pillar and then to the area behind the passengers seat. There is enough wire so that I could reposition the Sub Woofer to the flat part of the doghouse when I am watching a movie.

[oemtech]

Now that I have the LCD TV installed I thought I would install a Home Theater System that I had left over from my house that we sold when we went fulltime and moved in the RV Barn. You may ask why I didn't install it from the factory. Well, Newmar wanted $1981.00 for the option for a $500 system back in 2004.

One of the first things I had to figure out was, would I be able to mount all the pieces to make a complete system. Being that 90% of the sound comes from the Center speaker, the Left and the Right front speakers mounting them was not a problem. Mounting the Sub Woofer and 2 rear Surround Sound speakers did present some problems.

Problem 1:
1) The Left rear Surround sound speaker needed to mounted so the big slide won't hit it.
2) The Right rear Surround speaker needed be mounted so the cupboard doors did not hit it.
3) How to get the speaker wires to the surround sound speakers.

Problem 2:
1 )Where to place the Sub Woofer.
2) How to get the speaker wires to the Sub Woofer.

Mount The Receiver & Center Speaker
This was the easy part. Because I built a shelf in the old TV enclosure I just set the receiver on the shelf. I added some Velcro to the back feet to hold it on the shelf. I made a bracket to mount the center speaker to top of the enclosure. I added a filler strip to each side of the center speaker to complete the install.



Mount the Left & Right Front Speakers
This was not real hard either. I went to Wal Mart and picked up some speaker mounts for $10. I mounted them to the the cabinets and fished the wires down to the receiver.



Mount the Left & Right Rear Surround Sound Speakers
Now comes the fun part, where and how to mount the Surround Sound speakers. Well I decided to remove the radio speakers from the kitchen area and mount the Surround Sound speakers there. I cut 2 6.25" diameter mounting disks from the left over Luan that I used to make the panels for the enclosure. I then made a mounting bracket to mount the speaker to the disk. I covered the disk with the same vinyl I use for the enclosure panels. Put it altogether, attached the speaker wires and screw them to the ceiling.



I did not have to fish any wires from the receiver as I used the existing wires to the speakers that I removed. Newmar wires the 2 kitchen speakers in "Series" with the front speakers for the radio. So all you need to do is cut the ground/return wire and add a connector to the return side of the front radio speaker for them to work. Next you add a length of wire to connect the rear Surround Sound speakers to the receiver.



Mount the Sub Woofer
Finding a spot for the Sub Woofer was fairly easy. I just set it behind the passengers seat. Now routing the wires was not that easy. I finally was able to run the wires from the receiver to the overhead area, down the passengers side "A" pillar and then to the area behind the passengers seat. There is enough wire so that I could reposition the Sub Woofer to the flat part of the doghouse when I am watching a movie.

[Fillitup]

You may have this somewhere else -- but what kind of a bracket is that and where did you get it?

This is a very nice installation. One of the best I have seen getting rid of the rattling Newmar Sony. I have been looking at several installations/mods over the last year or so and I really like yours. That bracket is nice - I think that is the one I want..

Good Job-

Phil

[oemtech]

The LCD bracket I got at Wal Mart for $100. I am sure you could find one cheaper and maybe even better on the net. But, I was in a hurry and if it didn't work I could always take it back.

[Mike and Claudia]

Dale:
How do you keep the TV fastened when you are traveling?

Inquiring minds want to know!

PS-Everytime I see you post, I long for Copeland BBQ. Is it still going?

[oemtech]

Here is the last post from the LCD install.

Yep.... the Old Coupland Inn is still going strong. They have added a daily lunch special.



I tried 2 bungee cords(inside the enclosure) but they didn't really do the job. So I went to Wal Mart and got a 12' nylon tie down with really good clasp. Works like a charm.

[oemtech]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Problem 1:
1) The Left rear Surround sound speaker needed to mounted so the big slide won't hit it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Remember this... Well you need to check the distance when the slide comes in. The slide lifts up about 3"'s and will rip off anything in its way. I had to take mine off for my trip to SC and the WCMC rally. I will look at some other mount or use flush speakers. Darn!!

[KayLarGo]

I was wondering about that. My 2005 has the kitchen slide as well as the salon slide and it appeared that it would eat the speakers. Are the holes where the original speakers went OK to make larger openings to mount a better speaker? The sound quality on the originals isn't very good in my opinion.

["007"]

We can get into a wiring mess at times.
Enjoy your new LCD Dale good job.

[oemtech]

I am sitting in Bonita Lakes RV in Meridian, MS and plan to take a day off from driving. So, I will take one of the Newmar speaker covers from the bedroom and go look for a good speaker to replace the one in the kitchen.

Roger,

Agreed the wiring is a mess.... But, if your old tired eyes can handle it each wire has the circuit name printed on it.

[oemtech]

Well old Hommer strikes again. Remember, those $10 speaker mounts... Plastic and they will not take the beating in an RV. I should know better and made mine own out of metal. I had to remove them temporarily while I an on the road.

I might be awhile before I get everything back mounted properly.

[oemtech]

I almost forgot to update this... I fixed the problem of the broken plastic speaker mounts with a couple metal "L" brackets from Wal Mart for about $2... Go figure!

Also, the rear surround sound speakers were replaced because the slide would have ripped one off. I used some Magnadyne speakers. Not the greatest but workable.