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12-09-2018, 09:22 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 87
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TV and AV Equipment Upgrade
Just finished pulling the front TV and associated stock AV equipment out of our 2008 Beaver Contessa. I left the in dash cheesy stereo and the in ceiling speakers (future project).
We are installing an LG 43" TV with a mount (ordering) that will allow the TV to extend out from the cabinet about a foot, swivel left and right as well as tilt up and down. The original POS OEM Sony DVD/FM/AM/CD/SAT component is being replaced with a LG Blue Ray player and a Marantz 1608 Slim AV receiver.
To accomplish this I will be modifying the current TV mount Frame, adding a locking feature for the TV, adding rigid foam insulation because we had issues with the heat in the AV Equipment cabinet, and adding 2 Enermax TB Silence 140mm fans to cool the the components. I will also be reworking the wood within the current AV component cabinet to accommodate the fans and new equipment.
Inside the TV area I found a River Park HT Switching system that enables the in Dash radio to play over all the RV speakers. I am not sure I will still need this but have sent an inquiry to the manufacture.
I am also hoping the upgrade will reduce the cable mess in the cabinet. The TV, SAT/DVR, Blue Ray and AV Receiver connect with HDMI cables. Currently the TV has Component video connections and RCA audio connections. I will be ditching the IR eye for the remote controls because we normally leave the door open when we watch TV or listen to Music.
This upgrade will also allow us to BlueTooth and Apple play from our phones to the TV and the AV Receiver. It will also bring 4K HD to our RV, a big step up from the 2008 Sony that was hard to see from the couch or the dinette.
Photos to follow.
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12-10-2018, 08:02 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 439
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I'm curious how you will be modifying the current TV mount frame. My experience is the mount has too much play and when traveling the unit moves around a lot. I installed a TV swivel mount for a buddy who insisted on having it. Now he has to strap the TV with a bungee to keep it in place when driving down the road. Adding a locking feature to resolve the movement would take some ingenuity. Hopefully your pictures will show how you did it.
I'm also wondering why adding rigid foam insulation might solve your issues with the heat in the cabinet. Is the heat from exterior influence as in hot daytime temps or is it radiating from the equipment you are removing? Adding the fans to cool the the components is a good idea but how much noise will the installation emit?
The River Park HT Switching system and the RV speakers may have a impedance that is out of the normal 4 or 8 ohm range. If so having to keep it in for now may be required. If they are either 4 or preferably 8 ohm impedance you could wire directly to the speakers.
Lastly, I'm curious if BlueTooth and Apple play from your phones to the TV and the AV receiver will carry video. Is bluetooth broad enough to push the larger amount of data for video? That's something I would like to try in our coach if possible.
Oh, and one more thing. In our set up we also found that the TV was hard to see from the couch or the dinette. I removed the old CRT box and made a DVD storage area where the TV was. Inside the panel below the door is where our WiFi equipment is. The panel is velcroed in place for access. I moved the TV to the side cabinet and mounted it there without a swivel. This position works well for viewing from the sofa, dining area, and the drivers seat. (See pictures)
Before Mods.
After relocating the TV.
__________________
Steve n' Tammy in a 2003 Fleetwood Bounder 32' on a Ford F53 Chassis and a V-10 gasser pulling a 2020 Pacifica on a EZE Tow Dolly
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12-10-2018, 09:08 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 87
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The current mount i bolted to the RV metal frame. Wife ordered a mount last night and when it arrives I will have to modify the current mount to accommodate the depth of the mount mechanism to allow the TV to be flush against the cabinets..
The insulation mod is for the external heat issues. The current cotton candy fiberglass just ain't cutting it with direct sun on the front even with one AC vent in the AV cabinet can't keep up with the current equipment. I figure the new equipment will produce equal or more. The fans are 10db computer fans moving 11cfm each. It should be enough air movement to keep things cool.
The streaming form the phones works as long as the TV has Apple play or if you buy the Apple TV device ($300) The TV, the Blue Ray and the receiver are Apple ready. Some of the new smart TVs with wifi connections that upgrade they software and add apps... you can check that.
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12-10-2018, 09:55 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 170
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I will be interested in seeing the finished product. I am wondering how a 43" TV will fit without you hitting your head.
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2019 Tiffin Red 33AA
2017 Jeep JKU
KK7KJE
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12-10-2018, 11:14 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posts: 299
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Seand1109,
I'm very interested to see and hear about the progress of your project. I have a 2006 Monaco Camelot and also have a lot of the old equipment that needs to be upgraded.
There are a lot of us owners that are in the same boat that can benefit from your experience.
Thanks for sharing,
Jim
__________________
2006 Monaco, Camelot 40 PDQ, 400 ISL
Watts links, Cross Braces, RF18
2012 Jeep Wrangler JKUR
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12-10-2018, 12:57 PM
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#6
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Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Blairsville, GA & WPB, FL
Posts: 3,993
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I was able to go to a 50” LED TV because they are very thin, inexpensive, and weighs very little. No modifying of the cabinet needed by mounting on the face of the cabinet... allowing for a larger TV that is closer to the height of the old TV so no wood work required. These are several of the ones I've done. You can see the decrease in the edge width over the last 6 years. Today a 42" LED TV would fit between the cabinet doors, instead of a 40" in the 04 Dynasty. All 3 stick out less than 1" so hitting them is not a problem.
ZO66, here is my 04 Dynasty install http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/25706671.cfm
08 Navigator 36' TO 50" Smart LED TV with more info here: http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/tv-u...-389862-2.html
04 Dynasty 40" LED TV installation.
Brother's older MH 32" LED TV with thinner edges...more picture.
Here is more info on this installation http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/swap...tv-407900.html
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12-10-2018, 09:40 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 410
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As said earlier, if your current speakers are not the correct ohms for your new receiver, they will more than likely cause the receiver to run hotter than it should and will shorten it's life. I replaced my speakers when I got rid of the original junk. It is basically switching from automotive audio equipment to home audio equipment.
Dave
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12-10-2018, 10:26 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 87
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Woodman018, thanks for the input... I am open for suggestions on speakers.
zo66, I figured after my search for info that there is interest in updating the entertainment systems. I am waiting for Amazon to deliver the mount and AV receiver so I am replacing the sink disposal and dishwasher in the Brick home tomorrow but should have more photos of the strip out and the insulation improvement. If everything fits right I will add the model numbers of the items.
Flyerone... With the help of my neighbor, we prepositioned the new 43" TV in place against the cabinet to check the fit. The TV is longer than the existing hole where the old TV was but is as tall so it fits pretty nicely and only sticks out about 2". So as long as I can secure the TV in the hole when we are traveling it should not be any more of a head banger than the original TV.
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12-10-2018, 11:17 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pacific Northwest and Arizona
Posts: 2,040
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After removing the factory tube TV, I screwed a 3/4" x 12" board across the back side of the frame opening to which I installed a tilt/swivel/extend arm mount. I like the swivel arm because my original TV box is mounted off center and the arm lets me swing the TV to the center for easier viewing and I left an opening below the board where I can use the bottom of the original box to house the Sat box a power strip, and my dish controller. I run all my inputs through an AV receiver which feeds the original BOSE speaker system. The AV receiver and blu ray player is housed in the same cabinet the old VCR and the old dish controller was in.
I secure the TV for travel with a 1" wide nylon strap. My local Ace Hardware had cut to length nylon web strapping, and cam lock strap locks. I attached the strap to an existing screw on the bottom center of the TV frame adding a washer to keep the screw head from pulling through, then mounted the cam lock buckle to the bottom exterior of the cabinet. I made a couple of foam "bumpers" out of foam pipe insulation. When it's time to travel I fold the mounting arm, feed the strap through the buckle, pull the bottom of the TV tight against the bumpers then lock the cam lock. Works great. The tension on the swivel arms is adjustable so I have it snug enough to take out most of the wobble yet I'm still able to move the TV. Because the TV is tilted at a slight downward angle when folded, there's no flexing stress when I pull the bottom edge against the bumpers and I've never noticed any movement while driving and I'll tell you, if that TV WAS moving my co-pilot would certainly be telling me about it.
Here's a link to the buckles on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Webbing-Buckl.../dp/B00PVCTVMK
__________________
Tom and Pris M. along with Buddy the 18 year old Siamese cat
1998 Safari Serengeti 3706, 300HP Cat 3126 Allison 3060, 900 watts of Solar.
Dragging four telescopes around the US in search of dark skies.
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12-15-2018, 11:20 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 439
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What I dislike is the location of the original installation of the TV. Having it between the front seats caused several problems with us. The first being the ability to watch from the sofa. We had to twist our necks in a way that it became uncomfortable after 30 minutes or so. Either that or we had to sit at the end of the sofa and lay across it so that only one person could use it. Since I moved the TV across from the sofa we can see it from multiple positions, the sofa, dining table, and drivers seat, without straining our necks.
The second thing was the glare coming through the front windshield. With the TV overhead it was hard to see with the shades open. Since I mounted it to the side we can see it without glare from the front windshield.
Thirdly, by moving it out of the front cooling issues were resolved as there is better insulation behind the side cabinet and cabinet space was moved from the side to the front so no loss of space there.
Overall, we really like having the TV mounted on the side cabinet versus the front.
A note on the speakers. I bought a set, Kenwoods, of automotive speakers at 8 ohm impedance and mounted them in front for the sound system. The reason I went with automotive instead of household speakers is space and environment. Automotive speakers are designed for smaller applications and larger temperature ranges. They will survive larger temperature and humidity swings much better than speakers made for home use. Just something to consider if you don't plan to full time in the unit.
__________________
Steve n' Tammy in a 2003 Fleetwood Bounder 32' on a Ford F53 Chassis and a V-10 gasser pulling a 2020 Pacifica on a EZE Tow Dolly
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12-20-2018, 06:06 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2018
Location: WC,PA
Posts: 132
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Just bought this last Aug. I'm not sure what size the tv is 40? but check out the sharp right lower corner. I'm thinking of issuing a helmets to all who enter. I have a few holes in my scalp and still forget once in a while. Ideal setup would be to flip it up parallel to the ceiling like the newer MH's. Larger screen - probably worse for some visitors. Guaranteed someone will crown themselves.
I see that I could reduce the size with a newer version. Less bezel area with current tv's but I would keep the same overall dimensions with a larger screen.
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12-20-2018, 08:21 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Where I happen to land
Posts: 2,529
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We put a Vizio, I think it is 39" in our 2008 Contessa. Double back tape and slight mod to original bracket. A small filler strip if Cherry at the bottom is all I needed to finish it.
Hmm...seems I no longer have permission to post pictures?
__________________
John and Debi
2008 Beaver Contessa, 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee,
28 years retired Fire Captain Tales of the Muttley Crew
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12-20-2018, 08:23 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Where I happen to land
Posts: 2,529
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Ok. Maybe in a separate post?
__________________
John and Debi
2008 Beaver Contessa, 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee,
28 years retired Fire Captain Tales of the Muttley Crew
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