Entertainment Center TV replacement ?

CHARLOTTE · Post by **CHARLOTTE** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 8:27 pm

I have a '99 RSB with the Entertainment center....love my model, hate the old TV. Saw what Bill Hemme has posted for change over to new slim line type TV. I cannot do that. Have contacted Kim & it appears the conversion kit will have to be made to order. May end up being more $$$ than I can afford....Has anyone else done this improvement for a reasonable amount of money? Just hoping there's a way that I haven't thought of that won't be so expensive.....Any thoughts, ideas, etc. will be much appreciated..............

tomzleapin · Post by **tomzleapin** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 8:49 pm

You could buy a TV that is larger than the hole that the old TV is in and hang it so it covers the hole.

CHARLOTTE · Post by **CHARLOTTE** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 9:53 pm

There are doors on each side that I would have to consider....Also, as in the new BF models, the center door lifts up (giving full access to the over head area)....The TV is mounted to the front of that door....that's sort of what I want to do....don't need a big TV, a 20" screen would be fine...just need it to clear the edges of the cabinet doors....

CHARLOTTE · Post by **CHARLOTTE** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 10:20 pm

Entertainment center...this is what I want to replace, modify....

hrgermany · Post by **hrgermany** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 11:21 pm

If you replace your TV make sure you buy one with the right viewing angle.
I first installed a 21" Toshiba,the viewing angle was not right.I changed it to
a 22" Sharp TV LCD with DVD player.That was a couple years ago.I cut a larger opening and made a matching door and frame for it.The TV is mounted on the door supported by 2 hydraulic shocks,that keep the door open if needed.My grand son loves to sleep up there.

Hans Rueckert
1995 BF 26FT RSB

CHARLOTTE · Post by **CHARLOTTE** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 12:55 am

Hans...is there any chance that you could post a picture ?

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:37 am

Charlotte, here is how I mounted our LCD TV: http://www.bornfreervclub.org/bulletin_ ... php?t=1689 instead of doing what I did and recessing the TV you could just mount it to a flat cabinet door, hinged with a gas strut and then you could easily open the door for more storage.

Steve

stevek · Post by **stevek** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:42 am

Thats really beautiful work Steve.
This might be another option.
Take out old TV and buy a swing up mount like this one.
$28 shipped.
http://www.bundlecity.com/p-1630-arrowm ... black.aspx
Amazon also sell this mount. You can read the reviews.

You can also buy a 12 VDC TV with built in DVD player.
Like this one.
http://www.amazon.com/Widescreen-Televi ... B004YOGR1E

Just my 2 cents..

Good Luck.

Dallas Baillio · Post by **Dallas Baillio** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 12:48 pm

Charlotte,

Here is a link to what I did. You could do something similar.

http://www.bornfreervclub.org/bulletin_ ... php?t=2591

Come on girl!! You can do it

hrgermany · Post by **hrgermany** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:13 pm

Sorry Charlotte I have not developed that kind o talent. But from the response you received you can get the general idea. The only difference from Steve I did not build a box; my TV mounts on the door that swings up.

Haqns Rueckert
1995 BF 26FT RSB

CHARLOTTE · Post by **CHARLOTTE** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 2:33 pm

I really appreciate all responses....and of course the pictures & info. how to install, etc. are worth a thousand words so again thank you all for your time and sharing.
My reason for posting is complicated. Had a really tough year, having lost my daughter who lived with me & was my 'rock'....who could do anything & build whatever was necessary (Have every tool imaginable...) But now that Kathy is gone, I have little desire to travel so my BF is in storage (inside). I kinda thought if I could get the TV replaced, it might give me an incentive to get on the road again. The TV (original) only works when in a RV park that provides cable. My other alternative is to give up RVing & just sell my much loved unit. Trying to keep that as a last resort. I cannot attempt to do what you fellows have done .... but I do have a decent RV place that will make the conversion for me....(probably lots of $$$$). My first choice is to have the center door with the TV attached that lifts up. Obviously so I have full access to the storage area behind. (Don't need an overhead bed/sleeping area there). As a second choice I guess the way Dallas installed his TV would be the easiest. Except I would be doing that in my overhead area.....I think what Steve has suggested is exactly what I could have done...just need the door & the gas thingies.....Will wait to hear from Kim regarding the conversion kit price & whether I can afford it...in the meantime I am downloading all suggestions & printing them out to take to my RV repair place & see if any of that is something they can do without it costing an arm & a leg....
Anyhow, I really do appreciate the input....was hoping for a inexpensive & easy fix....well, we'll see...Thanks all..........Be safe & enjoy....

bcope01 · Post by **bcope01** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 2:38 pm

I did something similar to what stevek suggested, that is installed a swing up TV mount to the ceiling just in front of the entertainment center in my BFT. Here is the swing up mount I used for a 22 inch Vizio HDTV: http://www.bornfreervclub.org/bulletin_ ... ight=mount

Bill

CHARLOTTE · Post by **CHARLOTTE** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:36 pm

Well, here I am ...back again...Just had laminated wood flooring installed and am happy with the results...see pics.... Had the TV done also, but they didn't put those hydrallic things on the door & didn't place the TV the way I wanted it either. Was not able to oversee as the work was being done due to some family health issues, but stopped there yesterday and asked for the corrections to be made....so they will do that...Love the floor & I think the TV will work out really well once it is lowered....Now I'm looking for the replacement radio....doesn't look like a 1 dinn will look very good as the radio is very narrow compared to what I have in there now (the original one).....am going to do my homework to see what will fit my budget.....

CHARLOTTE · Post by **CHARLOTTE** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 6:47 pm

Here's the floor pictures...

Dallas Baillio · Post by **Dallas Baillio** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 7:14 pm

Charlotte,

Like your floors. Laminate was a very good choice. I have wood and it scratches easily and leaves a deep impression.

Glad you are on the rebound. Rv'ing is good solace. You never know what or who will be over the next hill.