Televisions

Section for discussion of Chinook interior and appliance issues, repair or installation.
pdemarest
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Televisions

Post by pdemarest »

I'm looking at pulling out my original TV and VCR and replacing them with a 12 volt TV/DVD combo. Most of these 12 volt models have a screen illuminated by LEDs, which does require adjusting your viewing angle to avoid distortion but I'll be using an adjustable mount so this shouldn't be a problem (current location doesn't suit us so we'll shift it over by the microwave).

Anyone have experience with these TVs? Any considerations to be aware of?

Thanks!
Paul Demarest
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SMan
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Re: Televisions

Post by SMan »

I installed a small 12 volt flat screen TV/DVD combo in place of the tv. I then installed a Double Din AM/FM/DVD player in place of the old VCR. Instead of using the DVD in the TV I use The one from the AM/FM/DVD as I wired it through the house speakers which provides good sound. I'm very happy with the set up. Pretty simple and basic.

EDIT: I just wanted to add that the rocker switch in the third picture was installed to act kinda like an ignition switch where the unit can be turned on and off without losing constant power.

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Steve aka SMan
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Scott
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Re: Televisions

Post by Scott »

I bought one of these units. I never mounted it because we very rarely use it. But on those rare occasions, I'd just set it on one of the beds and lean it up against one of the cab seats. The picture is fine, the DVD drive works well, and it's easy to use. I'm not an A/V guy, so. The supplied 12v cord melted after about 15 minutes (gage way too small, surprisingly). I replaced the wires with heavier stuff, and all was well again.

Steve - very slick what you did with the VCR hole. Looks stock.
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Re: Televisions

Post by A Rooney »

I use a regular Samsung 110 its energy star and has a small transformer to run on 14v so I plug the tiniest of cigarette lighter inverters into the under cabinet outlet which converts 12v to 110 to the brick to 14v to tv it's a 22 or 24 very efficient amp wise...and it has a proprietary Samsung magic angle software? which adjusts the tv by remote to where you are sitting it was $130ish if I recall.Rooney
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SMan
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Re: Televisions

Post by SMan »

Scott wrote:I bought one of these units. I never mounted it because we very rarely use it. But on those rare occasions, I'd just set it on one of the beds and lean it up against one of the cab seats. The picture is fine, the DVD drive works well, and it's easy to use. I'm not an A/V guy, so. The supplied 12v cord melted after about 15 minutes (gage way too small, surprisingly). I replaced the wires with heavier stuff, and all was well again.

Steve - very slick what you did with the VCR hole. Looks stock.
Thanks Scott. Not a lot of choices out there for 12V TV's! Thanks for the heads up on the wires I'll check mine. I installed a J Box w/ 12V cigarette lighter type outlet in the overhead and plug it in only when it is used. When I removed the old TV I filled the hole with some birch plywood and installed an old mount I had on hand. The DVD player required a larger opening but was easily made to look original with a router and some varathane.
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Re: Televisions

Post by Xatlatc »

When you look at my install job think of simplicity, and not craftsmanship. When I met Red Land Baron ( Chinook diesel owner ) at a casino parking lot, he showed me some mod's he made on his rig and this concept was his idea. I bought the Axcess 19 inch tv/dvd combo which works very well considering the cost even though the viewing angle isn't great. By attaching two " L's " (from the shelving section at Home Depot ) to the back using the VESPA holes, it allows for simple setup and storage . The picture is very good from all sitting areas. The other thing was the poor sound from the tiny television speakers. So, I bought a $20.00 computer sound bar at Staples which could clip on to the television or placed anywhere the cord allows it. Mine is placed in the original television opening. You can barely see it in one of the pictures. I use the original 12 volt plug from Chinook to power the unit. Again, simplicity over craftsmanship.
Attachments
IMG_3022.JPG
Attached to the VESPA holes
Attached to the VESPA holes
Shiny thing to the left is the sound bar
Shiny thing to the left is the sound bar
pdemarest
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Re: Televisions

Post by pdemarest »

Nice installation, SMan. You mentioned "the brick" in your description of the wiring. What is that?
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caconcourse
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Re: Televisions

Post by caconcourse »

Xatlatc wrote:When you look at my install job think of simplicity, and not craftsmanship. When I met Red Land Baron ( Chinook diesel owner ) at a casino parking lot, he showed me some mod's he made on his rig and this concept was his idea. I bought the Axcess 19 inch tv/dvd combo which works very well considering the cost even though the viewing angle isn't great. By attaching two " L's " (from the shelving section at Home Depot ) to the back using the VESPA holes, it allows for simple setup and storage . The picture is very good from all sitting areas. The other thing was the poor sound from the tiny television speakers. So, I bought a $20.00 computer sound bar at Staples which could clip on to the television or placed anywhere the cord allows it. Mine is placed in the original television opening. You can barely see it in one of the pictures. I use the original 12 volt plug from Chinook to power the unit. Again, simplicity over craftsmanship.
I also bought the Axess TV/DVD. The viewing angle is not very good, but we have a tilt mount so we tip the TV forward to get a good angle from below. For the sound I used a stereo cable connected from the headphone jack on the TV to the AUX input of our coach stereo. (The cord has 3.5mm stereo jacks on both ends). I found a JVC stereo with AUX inputs on the front and the rear, so the speaker cord is permanently plugged into the rear AUX connector. This way we get great sound through the stereo and the four built-in coach speakers with no external wires. We still use the VHS player, so there is a stereo AV cable from the VHS to the TV as well. I cut off the 12v power plug and spliced the wires into the original TV power cable in the cabinet.

My latest project was adding an indoor/outdoor thermometer with a clock and battery voltage readout left of the TV where the old sound control panel used to be. The outdoor temperature uses the old telephone wire to the outside compartment for the outdoor sensor.

Clay
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Last edited by caconcourse on February 7th, 2017, 9:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Clay
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Xatlatc
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Re: Televisions

Post by Xatlatc »

Caconcourse,
You gave me exactly what I needed to know. The size of the plug ( because I'm looking for a 12 volt extension cord and wasn't sure of the size ) and how to add the coach speakers. I haven't bought a new head unit in a very long time and forgot some come with aux jacks. Thanks again.
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Blue~Go
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Re: Televisions

Post by Blue~Go »

caconcourse wrote:
My latest project was adding an indoor/outdoor thermometer with a clock and battery voltage readout left of the TV where the old sound control panel used to be. The outdoor temperature uses the old telephone wire to the outside compartment for the outdoor sensor.
Well this just goes to show that there is often a "nugget" even in a thread that you'd think wouldn't apply. I was reading along just because I find it interesting to see how people do things; but since I don't watch TV figured I'd just be a bystander of sorts. But now you've piqued my interest. You used the old telephone wire for an outdoor sensor? I want to know more!

(I do use a wireless indoor/outdoor thermometer, but wouldn't mind also having a wired one. Plus it just sounds interestingly clever!)
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