Flat Screen TV Mount?

[Blacksheep]

We don't have or need a very large flat screen but the 17 inch we do have was a pain to keep mounted while travelling so we opted to mount it in a fireplace cabinet that dissapears and reapears at the push of a button. Buy yourself an actuator and do the same. No wires or cables to mess with and very secure while moving, not to mention it can deter it from ever being stolen IF ever broken into! 
Actuators run roughly 100 bucks and are 12 volt. Simple to make work and will probably do the same thing in our BR.

Ace

[Van]

Ace got any links for the actuators,thanks .Van

[crown]

 hi jjrbus do you have any more pictures of how you made your tv mount
how does it fold up what locks it in place ? thanks john

[Blacksheep]

Van I got mine from a dealer on Ebay! They use them a lot on custom cars where they open doors, hods, trunks etc.!

They have dealers for them outside Ebay but they are far more proud of them because they advertise them FOR TV applications!

If you have a really large TV you can find yourself an actuator from a security gate! It works the same way only larger!

The one I used has a 12 inch throw! It works very well and good enough for me!

Ace

[Merlin-PV]

I used a small bed slide mounted tv to it hung it from the ceiling tv retracts up into old destination sign area works well is solid and viewable when down "no kinks in the neck"!! 37"lcd

[viento1]

Paul the motorized lifts seem to to a better job of securing the TV I have had both and both types TV and most TVs on today's market require power all the time so check that feature also.My coach has a 32inch in the bedroom built in so far no trouble only the re progaming every time on air or has lost power to it,  and a projection in the living area with wide screen and that may be a option for you they are a neat setup just a pull down screen . 

on to Tampa
David

Hi David,

I was considering a projection set up too. My only concern had been the power consumption from both the projector bulb and now the stereo system. But the clean look is great!

To keep on topic, On my other bus I used a mounting bracket from wallmart. It was very well built - I used thread lock and did not have any problems with it for years.

[Dreamscape]

First off, Thanks for the replies!

I do appreciate the experience from those who have had a mount fail! Sorry Nick!

I will use through bolts and stiffen up the area that will support the unit. Screws were never in the plans.

Various factors have made me decide how to mount it. I would rather have it secured and unmovable, but that is not an option.

I do like Ace's idea but don't have the room for a fireplace or floor cabinet to do that....Nice idea though....

The TV will be secured by a strap when in motion, then pivoted for viewing.

Isn't anything simple anymore??? 

I'm going to Wally's world later today and take a look at theirs. Their website shows several different types, I choose to stick with a well known brand, don't trust anything else. Besides if something fails then I can deal with any WM around the country.

Have a great day!

Paul

PS. Plasma was never an option, heard LCD is the way to go a long time ago.

[bigjohnkub]

Paul, along wit Van's comments. We use 12v actuators on Vemeer balers to operate string ties. They have a slip clutch to prevent over travel either way. Try to look at some at Abilene Machine. MIght just work as they very seldom fail.  Their service manager used to be john ?, real nice guy,but he is a scooter nut.
  Big John

[Jeremy]

Similar to someone else's comment, I also found that actuators sold specifically for TV use were premium priced compared to the same device sold for other purposes. The linear actuator I bought was sold for use on motorized satellite dishes, yet I saw the same model sold for TVs at twice the price.

Incidentally, I read somewhere that you should never store a flat screen TV in a horizontal position (ie. folding down from the ceiling etc) as they are are not designed to be able to withstand that. I don't know if this is really true, but I can easily imagine that there are nasty stresses on the large glass screen/lcd panel if it is held (and shaken about) horizontally rather than vertically. My own screen will be comparatively small in size (don't see the point of a huge TV in a bus) and will 'pop up' from a cabinet on one side of the bus, very similar to Ace's. I've always been a bit surprised by the number of people who have their TVs mounted high up and facing the middle of the bus when the seats are low down and facing the side.

Jeremy

[jjrbus]

I neglected to take pictures during construction! Any pictures I now take will not show any detail.

                                                 Sorry Jim

[Sojourner]

Jim,
Are you watching Disney Channel?
Nick-   

That is Jim...looking in the mirror!...LOL

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

[WEC4104]

Just a couple of comments for folks starting to look at linear actuators. These are really cool devices, and add a nice custom touch to your conversion, but pay close attention to the product specs.  It is very easy to look at the operating voltage, weight rating, and travel distance and settle in on a model you think is suitable.  An often overlooked detail is the travel speed of the unit. Many eBay listings don't even mention this spec.

Some of these units are geared very low to increase the lifting power.  Consequently, the total time it takes to go from the "home" position to the extended position can frequently be 30-60 seconds. That doesn't seem like a big deal until you actually see the thing operate. Take a look at the sweep second hand on your watch and imagine yourself hitting the button to operate the actuator. Keep watching for 40 seconds, while asking yourself if that delay is acceptable. Long isn't it?

Most people would want the extension time to be under 10 seconds. On new commercial jets, the small screens hanging over the seats lower in about 3 seconds.

To overcome the speed situation, it is often helpful to use a shorter actuator, and design the mechanical movement to compensate. Let's say you want to move the screen 18 inches of total travel.  Instead of buying an actuator with 18 inches of travel, you may be better off with a 3 inch model.  The idea is to build leverage into the screen movement assembly so that each inch of actuator movement equals six inches of screen travel.   (This usually means the actuator also has to be rated to handle 6 times the screen weight, too.)   The mounting mechanicals can be more complex, but the operating speed will be more satisfactory, and the actuator may be less expensive.

So pay attention to the travel speed when selecting the actuator, and consider selecting a shorter one with an appropriate ratio for the actuator to screen travel.