370 Da TV replacment

[Jack]

Well after having both of the original TV's on the boat go out a couple of weeks ago I got the new ones installed last week. Thanks to the help of several members removing the Tv's was a breeze. I installed a 19" LCD in the salon on a articulating bracket to allow for a better viewing angle.

I installed a 15" LCD I already owned in the stateroom on an identical bracket.

After tracing down some of Sea Ray's awful coax the pictures are quite clear. I also painted the inside of both cabinets black to make for a more even appearance. I purchased a portable dvd player which I can hook up to either of the the TV's in the cabin or the TV in the cockpit so movies can be watched anywhere on the boat. Overall, it has greatly improved the TV quality and I think the looks of the boat. I apologize for the awful pictures but all I had was my blackberry.

 

[RubberDuckeeToo2]

Awesome job. Looks even better than what I did. The inside of the cabinets on my boat were already black. What color were yours?

Gene

 

[Bottom Line]

Jack....that looks great:thumbsup::thumbsup: What is your bracket mounted to?

 

[cruiser]

That is just what I was looking for.. What brand bracket is that? Also can you adust the tension? Looks great!!

 

[Sea Gull]

How do you keep it from moving in a seaway?

 

[osd9]

How do you keep it from moving in a seaway?

I did a very similar install on my 410DA....

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2832&highlight=element

I also used articulating mounts. You cannot tighten them enough to stay put .....regardless of the seas.

What I did, and Jack may have a better solution so I'm listening, was to mount an eye bolt far back in the TV cavity. I then attached two ends of bungee cord to that eye hook making a big loop. I pull the bungee cord over the mounts arm as I pull the TV close to the cabinet. I cut the bungee cord to length so that it is quite tight and provides plenty of pull. I also install some clear corner guards on the cabinet corners to avoid marring.

BTW...nice job Jack.

 

[Jack]

Thanks everyone!

Gene: the inside of the cabinet was painted black but the job was very half way and some pieces were not painted at all. I repainted everything so as to give an even appearance.

Jeff: The brackets are mounted to a custom steel bracket I had welded for me. It is made up of a steel plate at the bottom which is bolted to the bottom plate of the cabinet. It then has a steel pipe welded to the plate and then another steel plate welded to the pipe for mounting the TV bracket. If you saw the inside of the cabinet you would see there is not much to mount to and I did not want to lose all of the bracket length coming out of the cabinet. The brackets are very strong and add a nice aesthetic touch as well.

Cruiser: The brackets are small cantilever brackets made by omnimount. I bought them at Circuit City after looking at many different types. Here is a link. They are adjustable by tightening allen screws on top an bottom of each section.
http://www.omnimount.com/consumer/p...92c0-46da-90b3-3ddf9f514155&CurrentId=2.1.3.6

Sea Gull/osd9: I was really worried about security because the boat next to me had there TV mount break several weeks ago when we took a trip with them over to Cape Charles. The bay was running 4 - 6 feet and the bracket swung out and then the weight of the TV broke the arm. What I ended up doing was buying straps made to hold down a cooler or tube TV. They consist of two latches and a rubber coated strap. I attached on latch right in front of the TV mounting pole on the wood with screws and then attached another latch to the bottom of the TV. If you look at the photo you can see the black latch on the bottom of the TV (once again sorry for the bad photos) When I am ready to get underway I attach one end of the strap to latch in the cabinet then pass the other end through the latch on the TV, pull it tight and then lock the latch. I traveled up the bay and back since the install and they did not move. I even pulled on them and the back of the TV begins to flex before the strap moves. I think the biggest problem I might face is the bracket breaking off the back of the TV as these small TV's do not have much reinforcement in this area. Time will tell.

BTW I do want to thank my son who was very helpful with the install!!