Replacing CRT TV with LCD

[mkgearhead]

I decided instead of getting a digital converter for my Flair, It would be a better idea to replace the tiny 13" CRT TV with a flat panel. After measuring, I found that a 22" TV would fit between the upper cabinet doors. First thing to do was get the old one out of there.

Then I had to figure out how to mount the new one. I screwed a piece of 3/4" MDF to the back side of the frame for the old TV. I made it the same size as the opening, so it would help support the weight of the new TV.

Then I went about figuring out how to use the newly acquired space where the old TV was. I used a piano hinge and 2 sash locks so I could make the whole front open and close.


This also provided a great space to mount the Dish receiver. I just needed to have a way for the receiver to "see" the remote, so I cut a piece of dark plexiglass and mounted it with mirror clips to the bottom of the opening.


I painted the mounting panel black then bored 2 holes to route the cables through.

I used a tilt mount from Wal Mart and mounted it to the board. I used 1/4" bolts, fender washers and locking nuts to secure the mount to the board. This thing's not going anywhere. There was still alot of space above the Dish receiver, so I put in a shelf for DVD's, remotes, etc.

Here's the finished product. It's a 22" TV/DVD combo. The total cost including the TV and mount bracket was less than $300. We're taking our first road trip with the new setup at the end of the month. I'll give a report of how it works when I get back.

[Izzyblueye]

Nice Job! You made it look simple to do.

[Max Hubrich]

mkgearhead,

Really nice job. We're proud of you .

Many of us have done a similiar job on our rigs.

Quote:

This also provided a great space to mount the Dish receiver. I just needed to have a way for the receiver to "see" the remote, so I cut a piece of dark plexiglass and mounted it with mirror clips to the bottom of the opening.

If the "dark plexiglass" doesn't work out for you, (it doesn't work good for me- I have to open my cabinet door for the remote to work), I can suggest you get on line and order a small amount of cane wicker for a "pourous grill". It will look good and work great for the satellite receiver. I used it in my last motorhome. It will also allow air into your satellite receiver compartment. These LCD TV's are big heat generators.

I fitted a 32" LCD into my overhead mounting area by moving the two upper cabinet doors "outboard" and using a "filler" board to close the resultant gap.

If your interested, here are my old posts on iRV2.

Here is a review of my first re-build.

Then I decided a 26" Tv wasn't big enough up front.

So here I go again. A 32' Sony is great. Heck, If I could only figure out how to get a 37" up front--- hmmmmm.

This is where I am today, and we're happy campers

[mkgearhead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Hubrich If the "dark plexiglass" doesn't work out for you, (it doesn't work good for me- I have to open my cabinet door for the remote to work), I can suggest you get on line and order a small amount of cane wicker for a "pourous grill". It will look good and work great for the satellite receiver. I used it in my last motorhome. It will also allow air into your satellite receiver compartment. These LCD TV's are big heat generators.

The plexiglass didn't work. It was solid black. i thought it was just really dark tinted. I got a piece of 3/16" gray tempered glass with the top edge polished. I work for a large glass supplier in Denver, so the glass only cost $6. It works all the way from the bed now. I don't have to worry too much about heat in the compartment. The TV is mounted outside the compartment. There is also a vent in the bottom of it.

[mkgearhead]

Well, I just got back from a 1000 mile trip and the TV worked great. The only problem was that it was hard to hear all the way in the back where the bed is. I noticed the new TV has a headphone jack, so I bought a new stereo with a remote and an auxiliary input. Now, if everyone is asleep or doing other things, I can just set the fader control on the stereo to rear and mute the TV. It works great. It's kind of a poor man's surround sound.

[Izzyblueye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkgearhead Well, I just got back from a 1000 mile trip and the TV worked great. The only problem was that it was hard to hear all the way in the back where the bed is. I noticed the new TV has a headphone jack, so I bought a new stereo with a remote and an auxiliary input. Now, if everyone is asleep or doing other things, I can just set the fader control on the stereo to rear and mute the TV. It works great. It's kind of a poor man's surround sound.

I'll bet you will like the earphones even better if you buy the wireless type. Just plug the transmitter, usually very small, into the ear phone jack and it will broadcast in stereo to your head phones. I have used them for nearly 20 years. Couldn't be with out them.

[mkgearhead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homer I'll bet you will like the earphones even better if you buy the wireless type. Just plug the transmitter, usually very small, into the ear phone jack and it will broadcast in stereo to your head phones. I have used them for nearly 20 years. Couldn't be with out them.

I didn't use headphones. I ran a cable from the headphone jack on the TV to the stereo and played it through the rear speakers over the bed. The speakers piont straight down so you can really only hear them from the bed. It works great.