Has Anyone Installed a Flatscreen in a 2001 280DA?

E

E-man

Member
Jan 27, 2013
70
Lake Lanier
Boat Info
280 Sundancer 2001
Engines
6.2 Mercruiser 320 5kW Kohler Gen
I want to install a flat screen in our 2001 280DA. Was wondering if anyone who has can share some pics, pointers, suggestions? Thanks!
 
No, but I put one in my 290da.

Its an RCA deck18dr. 19" LED LCD TV/DVD combo. 12v or 120v. About $200-220.

Ive only used it a few times so far, but I like it.
 
E-man said:
I want to install a flat screen in our 2001 280DA. Was wondering if anyone who has can share some pics, pointers, suggestions? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I installed a 19'' LCD+DVD combo onto the mid cabin wall/back side of port lounger.

Put the Glomex antenna on the arch, wired the cable from the port side of arch through the main distribution panel and put the amplifier there, hooked the power and audio cables to the "stereo" in the 12 volt panel of mdp.

Bought a standart size swivel tv leg and enlarged it at a metalshop, therefore can turn it opposite and watch from cockpit to.

Standart location of lcd
20122009387.jpg


amplifier at mdp
26122009400.jpg


wiring inside of the mid cabin curtain track.
02012010445.jpg

02012010444.jpg


leg opened and can seem from head also
02012010446.jpg


turned it through cockpit, 19'' is the biggest to do this, seen from helm.
02012010443.jpg


seen from port lounger.
02012010442.jpg


seen from swim platform.
02012010440.jpg


HTH.
 
I have the same project planned for my '03 280 this Spring, and will install a 22" flat panel. I plan on using the original location, and possibly the original bracket. I have seen others do this, and it works well. I will make it removable, so I can relocate it to the area just aft of the cockpit sink. I'll make a bracket, similar to what I did on my 220DA, and put a receptacle at that location for AC power and antenna. It takes some engineering, but nothing too difficult. I thought about having a TV permanently at each location, but for now I'll make it so the TV can be easily moved. I'll have to post photos when I finish the project. It's high on my "to do" list, so hopefully it will get done sooner than later.
 
JimT said:
here is a link showing a great install project

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/40572-TV-conversion-2003-280-Sundancer
Click to expand...

That's a nice installation, but I'd go with a bigger TV, and a straight AC powered one. Of course, that will require you either having the genny running, or having an inverter on the boat, which I do. I've seen at least one flat panel that was mounted in front of the TV opening on a 280. They are so thin now that you should be able to find one that sits in front of the opening, and is the width of the cabinet. I haven't done the measurements yet, but I'm hoping a 22" will work. I had a 19" on my last boat and it was a tad too small for use in the cockpit.

Nice to be able to use the original bracket though.... and be able to use all the extra space in that compartment for something other than a huge CRT TV.

..... I just did a quick Google search and although this is not one of the installations I mentioned, you can get an idea of what it would look like: http://en.cosasdebarcos.com/barco_82339030121449515150565157524568.html
Of course, a black TV would look a lot nicer!
 
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I installed this 2 years ago. It runs on DC or AC which is nice if you're out and don;t want to run the genny. It has a built in DVD palyer as well. I also added a soundbar for better sound. It can swing around so you're able to watch it while sitting in the cockpit lounger


Boat TV.jpg
Boat TV 2.jpg
Soundbar.jpg
 
Bucit said:
I installed this 2 years ago. It runs on DC or AC which is nice if you're out and don;t want to run the genny. It has a built in DVD palyer as well. I also added a soundbar for better sound. It can swing around so you're able to watch it while sitting in the cockpit lounger
Click to expand...

Am I reading correctly that the sound bar is from AT&T? Is it powered (from tv or amp) or passive from the headphones jack. Any model numbers/info on the bar?
 
It gets it's power from the TV via a USB cable (if I rememebr correctly). It works very well. The sound out of the smaller TV's always sucked so I tried it and liked it. It was less than $75 and got it at Radio Shack.

Edit to post: It was $50 (even better). You can adjust the volume via the soundbar or set it and adjust through the TV remote.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13098057
 
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Just a heads up. There are some flat screen TVs without audio outputs, or even a headphone jack. Try to buy one with audio out capability. Even if you intend on only using the built-in speakers (yes, they do suck!) you will at least have the option of adding powered speakers later on, or tapping into the boat's audio system. I'll be using the latter on my boat, since I have aux inputs on my Polyplaner radio.
 
On my 340 which had a similar slide out I deleted the tray and mounted a door in the place of the hole making a cabinet. I then drilled holes directly through the wood door for the mounting screws and a cut out for all the AV connects. Painted it black to match the black that is accented throughout and mounted the TV directly to the door. The new cabinet is the new liquor cabinet. I used a 19" DVD combo. For hinges I just used a standard hidden hinge. It has been up now for three years and have not had an issue. It worked out that the TV is almost the same width as the door and does not obstruct the opening and closing. Also, with my setup I can open the door to angle it at the forward birth or have it shut and watch it from the couch. Wish I had a good pic and won't have access to it for a few more weeks.
 
On audio: I rarely listen to music in the cabin, so I reversed the problem by purchasing an additional head unit with DVD capability to replace the stand alone DVD player. I then hooked up the forward berth speakers directly to the new unit under the TV. This gives me plenty of volume, and effectively creates two zones for the boat. Works well if you don't need the same sound source in the cockpit and cabin. My inputs in the cabin are DVD, iPod/iPad, TV, Radio and Wii.
 
mpmiller said:
On audio: I rarely listen to music in the cabin, so I reversed the problem by purchasing an additional head unit with DVD capability to replace the stand alone DVD player. I then hooked up the forward berth speakers directly to the new unit under the TV. This gives me plenty of volume, and effectively creates two zones for the boat. Works well if you don't need the same sound source in the cockpit and cabin. My inputs in the cabin are DVD, iPod/iPad, TV, Radio and Wii.
Click to expand...
Hey, nice idea, but if you want to get fancy you add an A-B speaker switch, so you can select the source for the cabin speakers. Lots of options, and a lot of fun figuring this stuff out. I have a habit of keeping nothing stock, so I love doing these mods.
 
Yeah, I thought about doing that. I have the systems connected currently though a FM modulator, but haven't used it yet!
 
The biggest hassle is routing the wires from one side of the boat to the other. I need to access both sides this Spring, putting in a new audio system, and also a steering cable, so I will be gouging out the caulking on both sides. Not a very fun job. I will be routing some audio/video wiring through the ER. Too bad there isn't a passage-way to easily get from the TV cabinet to the power panel area on the 280.
 
Bucit..... what size is the TV you installed? I'm thinking of about the same size. 22" or 24"? It sticks out beyond the edge of the cabinet, but doesn't look bad at all.

Pchanson8.... any photos yet? The door concept is an interesting idea. Would a larger than 19" work, mounting to the new door? Whichever way I go, I'd like to make it quickly removable, as I did on my last boat, so I can easily move it to the cockpit.
 
I belive mine was a 19" but it could also be 22". I'll have to measure and see. It has a built in DVD player as well as it works off of DC. This way my little girl can watch her videos without having to run the genny.
 
Danny Troy said:
Bucit..... what size is the TV you installed? I'm thinking of about the same size. 22" or 24"? It sticks out beyond the edge of the cabinet, but doesn't look bad at all.

Pchanson8.... any photos yet? The door concept is an interesting idea. Would a larger than 19" work, mounting to the new door? Whichever way I go, I'd like to make it quickly removable, as I did on my last boat, so I can easily move it to the cockpit.
Click to expand...

Sorry, boat won't be home until tax day, April 15th... I will post then if you can hold out. I think you could go bigger just have to make sure at the hinge side does the TV does not hang over too much ...you won't be able to open the door.
 
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