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Replacement of main TV

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Jim Wasson:
We have  a 2004 Beaver Santiam and are in the process of eliminating the huge and heavy main TV that came with the coach with a LCD flat screen.  Before we start cutting wood to remove the "head knocker" issue that is chronic with the design, I am curious if anyone else has made this change and if so what advice can you provide.  The project doesn't look that difficult especially since we are replacing all of the electronic components as well with up dated devices.  One final question under the existing TV at the front is a small round white device that looks like it could be a microphone, any idea what that is?
Thanks,
Jim

215:
Jim - on my coach the round device is an eye connected to the IR repeater that transmitts the signal from your TV remote to the electronics located behind a cabinet door.

Richard And Babs Ames:
http://www.classiccoachworks.com/your-wish-list/electronics-and-appliances/index.php in Lakeland FL done ours and it is similar to the pictures on their website. Should get some good ideas. Also at http://www.rv.net If you do a search on the class a Forums thare are several that have posted ther experience with pictures.

Bill Schneider:
Jim-I also have a 2004 Santiam and have done the update you describe. There is a lot more involved than you think if you want it to too look factory installed. If you do it yourself, here is what it takes.  I installed a 32" Sony flatscreen. The only wood pieces I was able to reuse were the cabinet doors and I had to redo one of them. I moved the TV forward toward the windshield to clear the entry.  I salvaged the tubing from the original mount and welded a universal wall mounting plate(like used in homes) to these tubes and then welded angle iron (perpendicular)to the top of the tubes. These tubes are then screwed to the coach steel crossmember The second one back and the higher of the two front crossmembers. You can then use all thread rod to secure the vertical downtubes to the lower front crossmember for rigidity. You must do this part first because all subsequent cabinet dimentions (to the left and right) are from this point. Because this TV is much wider, I kept the left mounting point the same and took all width gains to the right. This eliminated having to modify both doors. You have to modify the front headliner once you know your mounting point dimentions.  I removed the headliner initially to make this process easier. By using a universl plate, you can use any brand TV and the TV is easy to remove and the hangers that go with it allow you to get the 5 degree down angle. Everything from this point is woodwork. You will have to make all new cabinets. I am in the directory if you want to email  me directly for more info. Good luck with your install. I know this is wordy but I wanted you to know what you were getting into.

Bill Schneider:
Jim-I missed answering part of your question. The round white half globe is just a cover. The wire under it is your temp sensor for zone 1. There is another one on your bedroom TV for zone 2. Right now, we are on our way to Florida, but we will be in Phoenix area in late Feb for 2 months. I see you are in Chandler. If you want to see my installation, we can get together then.

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