Community Forums

GTHill · 10-05-2009, 08:35 PM

I've done the "normal" TV removal, but I also removed all of the front cabinets as well. I'm installing a 50" plasma. Well, I have a 50" plasma that I'd like to install, but it may be too big, not that there is such a thing when talking about TVs'.

Anyway, does anyone need any parts from the front cabinets? Knobs, hinges, doors, frames etc are up for grabs for someone that could use it. I'll be keeping the fans and probably the lights. The front 3 speakers may even be up for grabs if I (most likely) determine that I'm going to replace them.

Thanks!

GT

Renipladlo · 10-06-2009, 01:57 AM

Be careful of the heat the Plasma TV's generate. Additonally, I don't know how well the Plasma will stand up to the shocks and bumps of the road. Before you make that change, I would ask around and see if anyone else has gone that route. The older sets also had a half life because of the gas leaking out I think. But that was a long time if I remember correctly.

I would install higher volume fans with maybe a couple more to move the air around better. I think an LCD set works cooler. Do a search on one remodel Dale did, he mentioned some quieter fans he purchased and I believe if my memory serves they had a higher output CFM than the original.

I hate the fan noise, and once we get setup in FL, I am seriously thinking of changing all the fans in the house. One was never wired in, so adding the necessary connector is also on the agenda. This would include the fans in the HH registers as they also make a lot of noise, and I want more air flow.

Jim A · 10-06-2009, 10:25 AM

My '04 came with the Panasonic 37" plasma monitor, which has worked fine for over 5 1/2 years and some 56K miles of bouncing down the road. I have used it at high elevations in Colorado with no problems. If it died tomorrow, I would not hesitate to replace it with another, EXCEPT that nobody seems to make a 37" plasma any more. I just bought a 37" LCD TV for my home office with the idea in mind that I could use it in the coach if necessary since it is the exact same width as the plasma.

Please be aware that most plasma screens cannot be laid down flat, as the thin glass is susceptible to breaking. When I purchased a plasma TV for home use, it was shipped with an indicator to show it has not been laid on its side in transport. So don't try to use some sort of fold-up screen system. One of the WRV engineers told me that they had planned to do just that until they read the warning on the plasmas.

If I was going to the expense of rebuilding cabinets, I would probably look at using one of the newer LED TV's. They are expensive, but are supposed to use less power as well as have a great picture.

My two cents worth.

Jim A · 10-06-2009, 10:28 AM

I forgot to add that the plasma didn't have any sort of extra fan cooling system installed in the cabinet area to aid cooling. It did have a large screen area underneath it to dissipate heat. Heat does not appear to be an issue. I use mine way too much, so if anybody would have a heat problem, it would be me!

EngineerMike · 10-06-2009, 10:40 AM

Newell's come with a 50" tv. Then all you need is a steerable tag axle to get the 38' turn radius.

GTHill · 10-06-2009, 10:44 AM

I was looking for a fold up solution with my plasma so it looks as if I'm going to need to do something else. Thanks a lot for the help!

GT

GTHill · 10-06-2009, 10:46 AM

BTW, the cabinets are still up for grabs.

GT

EngineerMike · 10-06-2009, 02:22 PM

The best solution for ventilation IMO when upgrading cabinets is to use 120mm fans of a quiet variety. They will move a lot more air than the 80mm, interrupt nothing in the way of high fidelity (or any other kind of fidelity), and use less electricity than the OEM fans.
I replaced the 80mm OEM's w/the SilenX 80mm ultra-quiet (~14dBA). Now the only noise is the DW asking, "Why is the entertainment center glowing blue?" "Those are the LED's dear." "Well, can we turn them off? They look stupid."
I guess there is always a trade off.

work2play · 10-06-2009, 04:40 PM

What TV are you replacing? is it the 20" Panasonic CRT in the center mount? What is the finish on your cabinets currently? I would love to see pictures of before and after. I have considering doing a TV replacement in ours as well so any ideas you come across I would love to see.

Thanks,
Mike

GTHill · 10-06-2009, 05:11 PM

Yeah... replacing the center TV. I have the TV and all of the cabinets out right now and it so amazing how much space those cabinets and TV take. In fact, I've determined that the entire design of older coaches such as ours are based on the TV. Even the center area that pulls out to the right of the driver is there so you don't bang your head on the TV. Newer coaches have a much flatter front area, both above and below the windshield.

No problem on the pictures. We'll see how it turns out!

GT

Tom and Patty · 10-06-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EngineerMike

Now the only noise is the DW asking, "Why is the entertainment center glowing blue?" "Those are the LED's dear." "Well, can we turn them off? They look stupid."
I guess there is always a trade off.

I think I have her twin

Jim A · 10-06-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTHill

I was looking for a fold up solution with my plasma so it looks as if I'm going to need to do something else. Thanks a lot for the help!

GT

Sorry to rain on your plasma parade.

When you plan your new cabinets, make sure to make them deep enough for your components, AND room for the connections in the back. I have found online sources for all sorts of right angle connectors and some power cables to try and fit stuff in limited depth. They helped get my Tivo in! Send me a PM if you need the sources. Cables-To-Go makes "Mini-coax" cables that are easier to work with than the usual stiff RG6 to go from the existing coax leads to the components. They come in various lengths. Signal quality is great. I just left the coax bundle in the back area and used to mini-coax to wire everything to the Winegard switch box. Then component video to wire from the components to the plasma. (It didn't have HDMI connections.)

Good luck with the project.

GTHill · 10-06-2009, 08:47 PM

Currently, I'm not planning on installing any cabinets in the front. The only thing I may keep up there is the input / output switcher. I really like clean and hidden, so the home theater receiver, DVD player etc will be located elsewhere. Not sure where yet. I'm inventing this as I go and that is always scary.

GT

Renipladlo · 10-07-2009, 11:04 PM

We have the 32" Dell LCD in our APEX, and it works very good, as least we have no complaints. If it ever quits, I will replace it with a Panasonic LCD 32 if at that time I can find one. And I actually like the way our front cabinets work, as we have the 40-MDTS model, and so that arrangement does not get into the way.