Installing a flat panel TV

[cmorris2104]

Hi,

I am looking for advice and help to the best way of installing a TV into our '87 T25 Westfalia Pop Top. I would like to use a 12Volt Flatscreen TV and if possible connect it up to a 12V satelite system. Any advice on the placement of the TV etc would be most appreciated.

Cheers

Charles

[Reg the Wedge]

It’s a bit difficult without knowing the layout of the van, but why not fit a pull down flat screen? Mine is fixed to the roof strength member than runs between the B pillars. It can be viewed from the back seat or laying in bed. https://club8090.co.uk/forum/posting.php ... 39&t=99030#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[cmorris2104]

Cheers for the reply. I just have a standard T25 Poptop, so nothing special there. What is a 'B' pillar? Sorry to sound stupid, but new to all of this.

[Reg the Wedge]

The B pillar is the pillar that the doors lock on to. The A pillar is the pillar that the doors hinge from. So across the roof between the B pillars, behind the lining, there is a strength member that’s welded to the roof. You can drill that, making sure that you don’t go through the roof as well, and fix the bracket with short self tappers.

[Timwhy]

I installed a 13" flat panel, 12v TV on the "C" collumn. The TV is just in front of the closet, good spot to be out of the way but in the right place to watch while your in bed, or sitting in the swiveled passengers' seat.



Installing the arm.


TV mounted



Hope this gives you an idea of what it would look like in this spot.

Tim

[cmorris2104]

Cheers for the information all. Tim those pictures will be really useful and I will be copying that solution, as it seems the most sensible.

Have you installed a Satelite system to this? I know it sounds a bit flash, but it would be great to tie this into a portable satelite system.

Cheers again,

Charles

[Timwhy]

Cheers for the information all. Tim those pictures will be really useful and I will be copying that solution, as it seems the most sensible.

Have you installed a Satelite system to this? I know it sounds a bit flash, but it would be great to tie this into a portable satelite system.

Cheers again,

Charles

No satelite hook up on this TV. I do use a remote server with my laptop to view my Direct Tv. It's basically a box connected to a receiver and it sends the signal to a remote server through the internet. I am able to watch my home Direct Tv, with the ability to change channels etc....that one would do while at home. The product is Pinnacle's PCTVTOGO HD. Works well for streaming as long as there's a broadband connection anywhere in the world.

A pic of the old laptop, have since upgraded to a 17" screen Toshiba.

[cmorris2104]

That's an interesting idea, my only concern with this would be the availability of wireless hotspots in campsites, but something that I can plan before I travel.

[andisnewsyncro]

Aldi & Lidl regularly have the camping satellite kits in stock. Worth keeping an eye on their sites for the upcoming offers. They sell for about £50 but go quickly (usually to end up on ebay for considerably more ) Dead easy to set up once you've got the hang of what you're doing too

[Timwhy]

You are right, not everywhere has wifi available. I have seen the traveling tripods for the satelite dish. I guess you could bring your own reciever and set it up. There's a guy on the samba that has a antenna mounted on the roof of his westy, it's not one of the dish style antennas. Here's a pic of it, the round thing is the antenna.


We do bring movies in my archos, for when we know a certain campground won't have internet. Mostly the entertainment comes from the XM radio. I wouldn't go anywhere without it.

[cmorris2104]

Thanks for the tip Andi, I will keep an eye out for the offers.

Tim, I must admit that looks a little bit overkill for what we are looking for, as cool as it is. Also those types of 'dish' retail for about £800+ in the UK, so a little more than I was looking to spend.

We currently take a laptop with dvds, which works quite well, but was just looking for other options.

[Timwhy]

Do the commercial campgrounds in England have cable Tv? Most here in the US do, so I've got my Westy wired for that through the kitchen cabinets. I like to camp at our State Parks, but most offer nothing more than clean rest rooms. Only a few have eletric and water hook ups, and even less have wifi.

[cmorris2104]

Tim, no in the UK I have never seen a camp site with cable services, but from the research I've done, it seems that satellite kits are relatively cheap. Cable services are available in the UK, but only in homes and businesses.

We are planning on a trip around Europe this year, hence getting everything sorted in the van first. We also like the smaller camp sites, that have very basic services, so are not expecting them to have WIFI. As long as it has a good toilet and shower services that is all we are after from a campsite.

[Timwhy]

Tim, no in the UK I have never seen a camp site with cable services, but from the research I've done, it seems that satellite kits are relatively cheap. Cable services are available in the UK, but only in homes and businesses.

We are planning on a trip around Europe this year, hence getting everything sorted in the van first. We also like the smaller camp sites, that have very basic services, so are not expecting them to have WIFI. As long as it has a good toilet and shower services that is all we are after from a campsite.

Nice!

Any more upgrades in addition to the Tv, solar and battery capacity?

[cmorris2104]

I've upgraded the leisure battery and have not really thought about solar, although it's a good thought. I do have a little solar unit which just trickle charges the main battery when it is parked up, but doesn't do anything for the leisure battery.

Have you done these upgrades to your van?