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installing a flat-screen television
Yahoo Message Number: 135214
I hope someone can give me some suggestions about installing a flat-screen television in the rear lounge of my new/used LD.  I've even seen some installed above the sink in the kitchen!   I can't imagine it is all that difficult, and I will look on the Lazy Daze Companion website to see if it's been discussed before.

Thanks!  Kristin
1997 MB
Re: installing a flat-screen television
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135216
Probably the most important thing to get right is the wall mount and the TV are compatible from the point of view of the bolt mounting pattern.  Here are some common ones:

VESA Standard Mounting Patterns

75 mm x 75 mm 75 mm x 100 mm 100 mm x 100 mm 100 mm x 200 mm 200 mm x 200 mm
 My LD came with a 19" 12 volt Jensen TV w/ 100x100 wall mount pattern.  I briefly thought of upgrading it to a home Samsung 24" TV but found that used a 75x75 pattern so I'd have to replace the wall mount or use an adapter.  Additionally the Samsung used tiny M8 mounting screws and had a flimsy back.  I was afraid that it wasn't designed to be wall mounted
Re: installing a flat-screen television
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135219
I replaced the OEM 19" Jensen LCD with a 22" Samsung LED. Same footprint - smaller border around Samsung. I did have to buy a 75X75 adapter and a pure sine inverter. No problems with sturdiness when traveling or otherwise. 1080p picture on Samsung is way superior to the Jensen. Especially with Blu-Ray DVD.
James 2011 T/K

Quote
On Nov 18, 2012, at 20:37, "tpild" tpild@...> wrote:
 Probably the most important thing to get right is the wall mount and the TV are compatible from the point of view of the bolt mounting pattern. Here are some common ones:

VESA Standard Mounting Patterns

75 mm x 75 mm 75 mm x 100 mm 100 mm x 100 mm 100 mm x 200 mm 200 mm x 200 mm
 My LD came with a 19" 12 volt Jensen TV w/ 100x100 wall mount pattern. I briefly thought of upgrading it to a home Samsung 24" TV but found that used a 75x75 pattern so I'd have to replace the wall mount or use an adapter. Additionally the Samsung used tiny M8 mounting screws and had a flimsy back. I was afraid that it wasn't designed to be wall mounted
Re: installing a flat-screen television
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135235
Kristen, I wanted to give more feedback, particularly on TV selection.  The response from tpild talks about the importance of a TV being built for vibration, but only in the context of the mount attachment on the back of the TV.  The same goes, but more so, for the electronics inside.  A TV gets shaken quite a bit when one is driving,  Jensen 12v TV's are designed and built with that in mind.  A TV designed to sit on a shelf or wall in a house might last for a while under the vibration of traveling, but eventually a circuit board component or a solder connection will fatigue and fail, necessitating replacement of the TV.
 Now, about power.  A TV designed for home use relies on 120v power.  An inverter will be needed to run it.  There is power loss as part of the inverter function, plus the circuitry is usually not as efficient because it doesn't have to be.  That means a home TV in your RV will use more power than a TV designed for RV use.  This is not an issue if you will always be plugged into power or on generator but becomes a concern if you are running on batteries.
 Now, the mount.  While tpild gave a good rundown on mount selection, matching bolt hole dimensions and so forth, it is VERY important to get a secure connection to the wall.  My mount has two bolts, about 1/4", that go through drilled holes in a floor-to-ceiling structural member.  The bolts are secured by a wide fender washer, a regular washer and a nut for each.  This means that the mount, holding the weight of the TV against road vibration at the end of a moment arm about 18" long, can stand up to the load and will not drop my TV to the floor as I travel down a bumpy road.
 Where to put the mount - I have a Midbath, so unless you have the same, I can't speak to the best location for you.  With mine, I keep the wall pivot loose enough to allow easy movement of the arm.  That way, I can watch TV from either the couch/bed in the back or the dinette in the front.  To keep it from swinging around when I am traveling, I use a shock cord that limits the arm movement to a few inches and does not allow it to slam into the cabinetry behind it or swing to the front, stressing the mount.
 So - my recommendation is to get a TV made for RV use.  I am a fan of Jensen TV's but I know there are other options.  Find a good spot for the mount.  Other users of your RV model may be able to assist you with that.  If all else fails, contact the factory and ask them about locations strong enough to place the mount.  Select the right mount.  Arm length will affect your viewing options.

Good luck.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB
Re: installing a flat-screen television
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135241
I agree I installed a 32" westing house led on a stationary wall bracket the tv weighs 14lbs, and handles bumps and what not going down the road in stride. I say get the best tv to suit your needs. Perhaps thetv's

Sent by wireless
Re: installing a flat-screen television
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135245
Wow, thanks for all the information!  You are so helpful, and I appreciate your response!  This will definitely be a help.

Kristin
1997 MB
Re: installing a flat-screen television
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135252
I ordered both the adapter and pure sine inverter online. Installation was not difficult. LD provided a 12 volt outlet
Re: installing a flat-screen television
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135253
RE: the issue of vibration and non-RV TV's - I did not intend to imply that a non-RV TV would necessarily fail due to vibration.  I meant to convey my understanding that the electronics in RV-designed TV's are better protected from vibration than in a non-RV set, and long term, that CAN make a difference, not that it WILL make a difference.  I too know of people who are using regular TV's with no problems.  The internal support for circuit boards, wires, connectors, etc., are all subject to failure from vibration.  It is my understanding, without engineering data to support that understanding, that TV's made for RV's have better internal support and protection from vibration.  So, I agree with Don Symms - pick the TV that best meets your needs.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB
Re: installing a flat-screen television
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135254
I agree with Ken.  I'm not saying non-RV TV would be a bad choice.  I've heard quite a few success stories.  But for me, I'll go with the RV TV.  At least at the time I was considering upgrading, it appeared to me the Jensen was visibly built to a sturdier standard.
 And I wanted to like the LED Samsung.  Power consumption very low, and it is attractive state of the art TV.
Re: installing a flat-screen television
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135258
Perhaps the RV rating of TV's better applied to old school CRT's, today's flat panels are well suited for RV use. Except plasma, I'm told they can freak out at high elevations. In fact I would bet not a single RV builder uses a special RV rated TV today. My previous 2004 SOB had three TV's all three were RCA CRT tube tv's and all three TV's worked perfect the 8 years they were in service, at least until becoming technologically obsolete. I suspect the rv rated tv might appeal to someone, but I would prefer to have more choices of course knowing there is a remote chance something could go wrong with any tv Rv rated or not. You can mitigate your risk and buy it at Costco they double the mfg warranty for free. I would think any vibration or heat related failure would show up early. But its Just my opinion.

Sent by wireless
Re: installing a flat-screen television
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135259
My '11 LD came w/ 19" LCD Jensen TV and to my knowledge all of the '12s were equipped with the 24" Jensen LED/LCD 12 volt TV.  Looking at the pricing info I can find, Lazy Daze is paying more for these TVs than standard household TVs.  Even with factoring
 
Re: installing a flat-screen television
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135262
Quote
My '11 LD came w/ 19" LCD Jensen TV and to my knowledge all of the '12s were equipped with the 24" Jensen LED/LCD 12 volt TV.  Looking at the pricing info I can find, Lazy Daze is paying more for these TVs than standard household TVs.  Even with factoring in a small inverter.
Probably another reason LD uses the Jensen TV is the DC power source range of 9-30 volts.  Some tv's I had would actually shut down when voltage would slightly dip below the 12V mark.  Not so with this TV.

Joe Hamm