Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Projection TV (Read 2734 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Projection TV

Yahoo Message Number: 7270
There was a question recently about projection TV's. I'm currently upgrading to either a larger LCD screen or perhaps a total rework to a projection system.
I'd appreciate any feed back on projection users. Also, the TV specialists I'm dealing with are certainly discouraging the use of Plasma's in motor homes. Do they know something the mfg. doesn't know. Any problems with Plazma?
They are coming down in price now and except for the weight issue, I may change out for a 42".
I changed out my "head-knocker" for a flat screen LCD, but we lose a lot of picture due to the 16X9 format. Actual size of my screen is much smaller than the factory installed.
I'd appreciate any feedback. I plan to make some changes in the next week or two. There are a lot of options now that weren't available a year or so ago.

Thanks.

Larry

Re: Projection TV

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7273

We have a 42" plasma TV in our Brand X (not CC ;x)) ) coach. The picture is excellent, the power consumption horrifying. In 2004 the manufacturer dropped the plasma set from standard to optional and, specifying plasma in 2004, makes the double set of house batteries mandatory - 2 sets of four six volt Interstate 2200s.
The plasma set consumes about 370 VA drawing about 35 amps from the house batteries. A 27" CRT TV draws around 12 amps while an LCD flat screen will be less than this. Problem, therefore, with regular house batteries and plasma is this: if you don't have shore power or auto-start generator get used to flat batteries :o)) We have used a projector at home for years and bought the present one earlier this year. It fills an 8' square screen (135" diagonal) and consumes about 250VA (approximately 25 amp from batteries when using the inverter). These units now start at around $1,500.00 for 1600 lumen brightness and are probably going to consume, say, 20 amps. 5' x 5' or 6' x 6' screen is probably around $250.00 (8' x 8' is about $400.00)
Other considerations include getting 120VAC to the projector (presumably you are going to mount it on the ceiling) and don't forget you have to get the video signal there as well. Radio Shack have a 2.4gHz transmitter/receiver pair made for just this purpose if you get stuck. Cost about $100.00. BTW, don't go to a video store for the projector. Locate your local industrial strength Audio-Visual vendor - they will have a broad selection at realistic prices. These are sold for PowerPoint and similar presentation purposes but all have video inputs.
In the words of Malcolm McDowell "viddy well my friend" (from Clockwork Orange, 1970).

Peter & Marian, Brand X
1-800-274-5245
1-260-482-6321 Voice
1-260-483-3653 Fax

Re: Projection TV

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7284
Re Plazma Screens. Was told this week that plazma screens will not work at altitudes as high as Colorado Springs and will freeze up at temperatures colder than 30 degrees farenheit, which disables the screen as well as damaging the Plazma material itself. Does anyone have any info on this subject?

Ron and Molly, '01 Intrigue # 11262, San Diego

Re: Projection TV

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7285
Hi Ron and Molly, I can only tell you my experience. I replaced the convetional CRT (cathode ray tube, i.e. glass tube) television in my coach with 42" plasma eightheen months ago and I have been extraordinarily pleased with it.

I live in the mountain west and regularly use it boondocking under generator/invertor power at 8,000 feet above sea level with no problem. (I've heard some brands can buzz or humm at higher elevation but this aspect is less prevalent in newer sets.) Last winter I stored the unit in below freezing temperatures for four months. No deleterious effect that I can see. Good luck. In my next coach I am considering combo of plasma plus DLP projection. --wheeler (RV Webpage: http://homepage.mac.com/gadgetnut/PhotoAlbum3.html)

Re: Plasma

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7288
Ron, since I upgraded to a 32" plasma, we have put about 15,000 miles on the coach, and camped at elevations up to 7,200 ft. No problems at this time. You do hear a slight fan noise at higher elevations. I was told that one reason the mfgrs. moved away from installing the retractable plasmas was because they were not meant to lay flat, and because of the weight of the fold down frame (up to 600 lbs total) on the front axle. My 32" plasma HDTV weighs around 50 lbs, the 24" regular TV that came with the coach weighed almost 70 lbs. We find it is a perfect size for the viewing distance, and the picture is super sharp, both with DVDs and DirecTV.

Bill Harris

03 Allure 1st Ave 30912
Datastorm

Projection TV

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7463
To all or anyone who has a new coach with the ceiling mounted Vidio projector:

I am looking to buy a new vidio projector. After reading many spec sheets and comparing notes it would be very helpful if an owner of a coach that has one could provide me with the specifications. The information would appear in the owners manual. Short of that the make and model number would also help.
James M. Green Intrigue 11021

Zep dee awning will not roll up.

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7710
My awning will not roll up. Tried to tighten the spring but you can hear it rotating inside the tube. I made it home by rolling it up by hand. Called Zep dee they said to drill out the rivits and remove the inner spring assembly to find out what is broken. My question is has anyone done this and how hard was it to fix and replace?
Thanks
Calvin

1999 Intrigue 10811

Re: Zep dee awning will not roll up.

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7718
Calvin,

It isn't a bad job. Just drill the rivets out, pull the mechanism and spring out and replace what's broke. The new rivets should go right back where the old ones were. (You do need a rivet gun and a supply of rivets.......most CC owners carry them to replace broken rivets in other places).
My experience was a little different. My first trip from Florida to Nevada resulted in my pulling the slide awning off the coach in Texas and carrying it inside the coach to Nevada and then back to Michigan. It was doing the famous awning blowout in the high crosswinds of Texas. Calls to Zip Dee got me the required 18 winds preload information and I did this, but the spring kept slipping and I kept losing the preload and the awning kept blowing out! It seems that the awning tube was installed backwards and my preloading the spring was actually unwinding it. It did work that way until the spring slipped back to a neutral position, then the first high crosswind or truck passing gave me the parachute affect.! When I got home, I called Zip Dee back to explain that my problem and have them walk me through it. When I told them my spring was located at the back of the awning (in relation to the coach position), they didn't believe me. They said it was impossible to install that way. Okay-y-y!! In any case, I drilled the rivets out of both end caps and moved the spring mechanism to the front, redrilled the holes for the rivets, installed it properly, would it to the required 18 turns and never looked back. I still don't know how it got installed backwards!!! (I did buy the coach with 8,000 miles, so maybe in that period?)

Hope this helped you, (it is not a bad job) Joe from Michigan
'97 Intrigue

Re: Zep dee awning will not roll up.

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7726
Very interesting. Unless the Zip Dee awning changed between 1997 & 1998 I was told by Zip Dee to put 28 preloads turns into the spring. I have had no unfurl, even in the TX crosswinds, since resetting the preload to 28 turns.

Steve

Intrigue #10673

Projection TV

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15503
The projection TV appears to not be getting any electricity to it.
What do I need to look at/for to make it work...before the race starts on Sunday???

Thanks,

Carol

04 Inspire 51046

Re: Projection TV

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15504
I'll take a stab. !. Check all your circuit breakers. If you look at the lens of the projector when you think the units on do you see a faint glow deep with in the lense? (this is best done after sundown) Do you see any small red or green pilot lights on that you can't recall seeing before. If you put your palm on the unit can you feel a vibration or feel any heat? Do you hear a fan running? If you answer is yes, it's on. If you still don't have a picture, is your vcr on with a tape playing, can you hear sound from the sound system and its the program on the vcr, if you can hear sound and the projector is humming or buzzing then it can only be two things. The lamps burned out or youve selected the wrong input connection somewhere. If you turn down the sound from the vcr and speakers and you don't hear , feel or see anything coming from the projector. look and find the electrical outlets with the test and reset buttons, and reset the same. And start at the top.

Or you could call CC early tomorrow morning, 8am pst and talk to One of the TEC guys and they will walk you through it. You may have to reset a breaker on your Xantrex battery charger inverter. TWI 98 Allure/2004 Intrigue.
Wheres Kovol when you need him!!!

Re: Projection TV

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15505
Thanks again for your input. It helps a lot.

Carol

TWI 98 Allure/2004 Intrigue.

Re: Projection TV

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15516
We have checked all circuit breakers and fuses. Used the computer cord to connect to another electrical circuit and still nothing.
Seems to be the projector. Called Tech Support and they will be sending a request for assistance to NEC. Nothing in the manuals that we can find that gives any assistance.

One thing, for future reference: in order to change the bulb, the projector has to be removed from the ceiling? How do you do that?

Thanks,

Carol

04 Inspire 51046

Re: Projection TV

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 15518
Hi Carol,

Was that your coach I saw on TV at the beginning of the race today? It was against the infield fence. If so , good spot. Hope you enjoy the race. Guess you will have to use the bedroom TV to see the replay of the race.
Hope you get it fixed.

John and Merilee Flynn
99 Intrigue 10877

02 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Projection TV

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 40648
I have seen an option in some Magana's and Affinity's for a TV system that has a huge dropdown screen and a projector in the ceiling. Does anyone have this? How do you like it? I was thinking of this as an alternative to having the LCD upgrade done to my 2002 Magna.

Rich

Magna 6148

Re: Projection TV

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 40650
I have done this on my SOB.

You will need to replace the bulb in the projector every 2000 hours or so ($300).
You can use as big a screen as will fit, 12 to 20 foot diagonal with the right projector.
Don't skimp too much on the projector if you plan to watch in daylight, you need adequate lumens as well as HD resolution.
You should be able to find a nice projector for $1,000 to 2,000 and a screen for $100 to $1,000 Plus cost of install.
You will also need a sound system, projectors do NOT include a sound system even if the say they have a speaker.

Bob Wexler
SOB

Re: Projection TV

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 40669
Bob, what brand of projector and screen did you go with. Why do you call your coach and SOB? Do you not like it?

Rich

Magna 6148

Re: Projection TV

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 40672
Rich,

My coach came with the Projection TV option and we do enjoy it.
However, some things to consider:
1) need to be able to almost black out the inside in order to affectively view the screen
2) although I have purchased a replacement bulb, in 4 years of use no sign of failure - 2,000 hr life span is a long time
3) with the screen down and watching the TV if someone knocks on the door you have to raise up the screen and clear the door cover in order to answer the door
4) in order to view the large screen you most likely will have to set the front seats with the backs to the walls
5) since the screen is so large (68"), the further back, the better the picture. we ended up purchasing two Euro chairs for viewing straight on and ended up removing the rear mounted DS slide kitchen table to get far enough back.
6) when the screen comes all the way down it sits about 1" above the steering wheel. however, the picture does project above that level.
7) the projection screen is great for settling down to an evening of
entertainment. but, you still have to have the overhead for news, etc.

Hope that helps..

Jim Grossen

2004 Intrigue Ovation 11719

Re: Projection TV

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 40751
Rich

I used a Viewsonic projector which I used in my home and moved into my MH when I travelled.
I used a $20 window shade from Home Depot for a screen.
When the $300 projector bulb burned out about the time I was planning to go full time in the MH I chose to to switch to LCD TVs.
SOB is Some Other Brand, Not CC.
I do like my American Tradition.

Bob Wexler
SOB

Re: Projection TV

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 40753
Thanks Jim. Perhaps Will keep the one over my driver's seat and look into installing a projection screen to the right of it or in front of it. Especially with the amp draw of these systems I have been reading about.
Rich

Magna 6148

Re: Projection TV

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 40754
Thanks Bob, Did you mount the projector in the ceiling? Thanks on the SOB. I have been wondering about that for a while.

Rich

Magna 6148
 

Re: Projection TV

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 40762
Rich

Mine was in the bedroom and was in the ceiling of the cabinet over the bed.

Bob Wexler