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Television Replacement in Entertainment Center
Yahoo Message Number: 117894
Last week I received a request from Sarah Blackwood for details on how I replaced our 2002 LD RB CRT television for a new LCD model. As I began replying, it occurred to me that other LD owners, who have pre LCD televisions - that are found in "Entertainment Center" models - might also find it of interest. Although this switch has been done before, ours was to be different in that it was to be mounted on the outside of the cabinet rather than inside on a swivel assembly. The outside mounting allowed us to increase the screen size from 19" to 22" and also created a humongous interior cabinet for light storage. Our 2002, named "Merlot", is our home for four or five Winter month and television is something we enjoy. The project began easy enough with the prying up of shelf carpet tacks followed by the removal of the metal bracket that secured the set within the cabinet. With the bracket removed I assumed the TV would slide smoothly out. Wrong ! The fact that it didn't budge made me think that some of the Newton's famous caulking had found its way into the cabinet somewhere. Time and effort eventually proved this not to be - it was really just the heaviness of the unit and the rough plywood flooring. After finally managing to lift the front of the set, Bess slid in a slippery plastic baking sheet underneath which helped smooth the removal to the front edge. Let me repeat - that TV is one heavy sucker and we still needed to lift it down from the cabinet and out through the narrow side door. On so many levels, I'm very proud of the strong woman who shares my life.
As one of the photo will show the inside of the vacant cabinet had been painted a depressing black. Since we were interested in having this extra cabinet space in the same quality - or better - as the other cabinets, I spent time neatly bundling the wires and routing them out of the way - but still allowing enough length and movement to eventfully pass through the upward swinging door and connect with the TV. The next step was to re-enforce and install a new plywood floor and wall panels. Bess then took over and did a marvelous job of recovering the walls in boat lining fabric.
Costco was the source of our purchase of a Samsung LCD television that measured 22 1/2" wide and 14" tall and weighed around 13 pounds. The only item that I felt lacking with this model was a front auxiliary connection for a headset. There was one at the rear, so I was able to add an extension connection and route this forward. The wooden rectangle which became the new swinging cabinet door and TV mount was cut from 1/4 inch plywood. I measured the cabinet opening and cut this piece to a very tight fit, since any binding could always be lightly sanded. Once fitted I installed a "piano" type hinge along the upper edge and made sure movement was smooth and not touching anywhere. I then removed the door and centered the TV exactly in the middle of the plywood. This was to make sure the television edges would not come into contact with the opening and closing of the adjacent cabinet doors. As a touch of insurance, I removed each side cabinet door and trimmed an 1/8 of an inch from the opening side edge of each one. This extra step required a touch of stain and flat Urethane. I was trying to get the widest screen possible for the space I had available. Of course, if I hadn't been greedy and had settled for a 21" model a lot of the worry on the television touching the side doors would have vanished ! The up and down placement of the TV was more a personal choice of balance and viewing angle. At that point I was then able to see where ( and how large ) an opening would be needed to be cut in the plywood for cable wire connection with the TV. I originally thought I might bolt the TV directly to the plywood, but decided to use a metal wall mounting bracket. I didn't see any need for a 'side to side' or 'up and down' bracket, that allowed these movements, but there are types that have this range. I bought mine off the internet and, unfortunately, do not remember the brand or site name. "Google" TV Brackets and you'll come across a slew of them. Just remember that it must fit the brand and model of TV you choose. This bracket was also exactly centered and then bolted through the plywood. I then put an eye screw into the RV ceiling approximately where the bottom edge of the TV would swing up too. This eye screw was inserted into a wooden ceiling backing piece. ( They are easily seen by a series of "pin heads" that pass across the width of the ceiling and mark the underlying wood supports. ) This enabled us to secure the TV to the ceiling in an approximate horizontal position with a bungee - or something similar - and thus have easier access to the cabinet interior.
In one of the photos you'll also see a centered handle and two sliding locks.  Even though I anticipated it - and tried for a very snug fit - one or other of the bolts occasionally rattle on badly paved roads. Annoying, and the jury is still out as to installing one at each side. Probably one would be all that is needed, but two looked more balanced.  Well, I hope this helps. It's not an easy project, but with some patience and forethought it can be accomplished. The photos are on this site under the "Merlot" file and can be clicked on from here.
Bill Atkins "Merlot" Sunny Fall Day in SW Washington
 photos/album/2133011799/pic/list
 
Re: Television Replacement in Entertainment Center
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117897
Quote
Last week I received a request from Sarah Blackwood for details on how I replaced our 2002 LD RB CRT television for a new LCD model.                                Bill Atkins
http://tinyurl.com/2aoeqeb Bill, here's a link to photos of my replacement of the 20" TV in my '02 entertainment unit with a 26" Vizio.  I will also email these to Sarah if I have the correct email address.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB