TV bracket

[isaune]

Hi there

I have a small (10 inch I think) Avtex TV with an Avtex aerial. It's powered from my hook up which is a bit Heath Robinson as both the hook up and the aerial are simply passed through the sliding window behind the driver's seat.

Anyway, we have got used to standing the TV on the side unit and watching it in bed. However, I have been hankering after a better spot for it, preferably on a bracket.

Now, given the wiring situation (aerial and power) it will need to stay on the drivers side of the van (ie it can't be bracketed to the ceiling) but I have been thinking I could maybe mount the bracket on the wall about half way down the van on the driver's side between the side windows.

This position would certainly work well given the wiring set up described above. And it would achieve my main purpose of having the tv "out of the way" and "un-knock-down-able"!!

My question, then, is how should I go about mounting the bracket to the van? I've got my trusty drill at the ready but I'm sure there must be more to it than simply drilling a few holes. Obviously, I am also concerned about the look of the van from the outside and also the possibility of leaks in the future.

Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Ian

[1664]

Is it only mains powered? Mine is mains and 12v.

Reason I ask is 12v is easier to mount where the hell you want and you don't need hook up. Mines between the front seats on the 'B' pillar roof cross member facing into the living area. Having said that, I don't have an aerial that requires power.....

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/search.php? ... mit=Search" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[isaune]

Thanks 1664.

Yes the TV works on 12 volt too.

In fact, that is how I usually power it - I usually have the leisure battery connected to a charger to keep it topped up and most things then run off the battery.

However,

1) the aerial still needs to be fed out of a window

2) the TV (only 10 inches) needs to be viewable from bed - ie with one's head right at the back of the van

3) i would like to keep trailing wires to a minimum

Therefore, I thought positioning it between the two rear driver side windows would be perfect. I run a 12 volt adaptor round to there anyway for charging mobiles and playing the TV anyway.

And it would be close enough to view and hear comfortably from bed.

And the aerial can easily be fed out the window and up onto the roof or front or back widscreens.

My main fear is simply how to physically drill the holes and then make them good and obviously rust proof. What sort of kit do I need? Obviously I will need to make a template on the vinyl on the inside of the van - then drill through outwards (making sure no-one is passing by - LOL !!!).

But then I'm going to have 3 or 4 horrible looking holes in the side of my beautiful van and, worse still, I assume each of those will have a nut or something securing it to the outside!! Then, I guess I have to get some rubber caps or something to cover the nuts and keep them dry??

But the whole thing sounds a bit horrible in truth.

What do you think?

Ian

[1664]

1) the aerial still needs to be fed out of a window I don't know what sort of conversion you have but I just bung mine in the high top

2) the TV (only 10 inches) needs to be viewable from bed - ie with one's head right at the back of the van Ok, so screw it to the 'C' pillar roof cross member instead of the 'B' pillar one

3) i would like to keep trailing wires to a minimum Just add a 12v ciggie style 12v outlet adjacent to where your telly is. I have one behind the drivers seat fixed to the cupboard

Therefore, I thought positioning it between the two rear driver side windows would be perfect. I run a 12 volt adaptor round to there anyway for charging mobiles and playing the TV anyway.
And it would be close enough to view and hear comfortably from bed. Someone on here has mounted a TV in exactly that position but I forget his username. I think he's an American from Maine

And the aerial can easily be fed out the window and up onto the roof or front or back widscreens.

My main fear is simply how to physically drill the holes and then make them good and obviously rust proof. What sort of kit do I need? Obviously I will need to make a template on the vinyl on the inside of the van - then drill through outwards (making sure no-one is passing by - LOL !!!).

But then I'm going to have 3 or 4 horrible looking holes in the side of my beautiful van and, worse still, I assume each of those will have a nut or something securing it to the outside!! Then, I guess I have to get some rubber caps or something to cover the nuts and keep them dry??

But the whole thing sounds a bit horrible in truth. Don't drill through the external skin of the van; there's plenty of internal skin metalwork to choose from

[1664]

American member 'Timwhy'. Half way down this thread. Mounted on 'C' pillar

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... t#p7723028" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I mounted my 13" Flat screen on the C collumn. To watch my own movies, I use my Archos plugged into the TV. This particular TV is 12 volt as well as 120 here in North America.
I also have cable installed in the Westy for when cable TV is available at some campgrounds.

[isaune]

Thanks 1664. That's EXACTLY what I am looking for.

My only remaining question is what did you mean about not drilling through to the outside.

If I just drill through the inner skin, will the fixing be strong enough?

I read elsewhere about self tapping screws but will (say) 4 of these through the inner skin really be able to support the bracket and TV?

Thanks

Ian

[1664]

I read elsewhere about self tapping screws but will (say) 4 of these through the inner skin really be able to support the bracket and TV?

That's all that's holding mine but then mines fixed horizontally flat against the surface. I'd say ok for a vertically fixed one like 'Timwhy's' but as the arm is extended it will exert more force on the fixings so I'm not certain. Use decent size screws obviously.
Why not PM or email him and ask - you can email him directly by clicking on his username and it's in his profile - as he's over the pond he's not awake at the same time as us so don't expect an 'instant' response.

[isaune]

Thanks 1664 - have PM'd our American friend and will post response here when received.

[Aberdeenbus]

Hi,

this is the almost identical bracket to mine in the same location and 3 large self tappers are more than sufficent to hold the bracket and a 15 inch led tv, with no problem.

Cheers

Si

[1664]

[isaune]

Hi Aberdeen

Could you please tell me exactly which bracket was used?

And will it fit my 10" Avtex ok?

And what length screws?

Assume you drilled 3 small holes in the inner shell only??

Thanks

Ian

ps no answer from across the pond yet

[Aberdeenbus]

Hi

I used this bracket

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260978386043? ... 3D1&_rdc=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

not sure if it will fit you avtex as its a ten inch. your best bet is to take your avtex into tesco etc and see which mounts fit.

I used 3 m5 self tappers prob about 20mm long (not sure about the size as once its thought he hole there is nothing behind it).

as fror an answer from across the pond prob only get one if hes anything to add.

hope that helps

Si

[isaune]

Thanks Si.

One quick question.

I am assuming you don't leave the tv on the bracket when you are not on a trip?

How easy is it to remove it from the bracket?

I have seen the "quick release" brackets on the Avtex site which look great but they are a bit pricey at £40 plus.

I'm just wondering, if I get a more reasonable one from eBay, will it take ages to release it every time the van is not in use?

Thanks for advice mate.

Ian

[Aberdeenbus]

The one I bought in the link is a shoe type bracket the screws to the wall and the rest of the mount slides in and out and is held in with a grub screw, I replaced the grub screw with a thumb bolt to save me getting an Allen key out all the time.

Ill take a pic tomorrow

Cheers

Si

[isaune]

Cheers Si.

Sounds like just what I need.

You don't know the make/model of your bracket by any chance do you?

I've written to your eBay seller but he hadn't replied.

Looking forward to the piccys.

Thx again

Ian