Overhead flat screen TV mount

[Plpbecks]

I’m sure many have faced the Football on TV or boating conundrum. I found myself in that position last Sunday, and got to work on bringing the two together.

We had a few small flat screen TVs sitting around the house that we don’t use anymore (first world problems) and I noticed that luckily one of them, an Element 20” was 12v at the tv, which I knew would make the job easy:

I was able to find a cord that had a cigarette lighter adapter with a round plug that fit the TV, it happened to be the 12V charger cord from my marine radio. So last weekend we hooked up an over the air antenna, loaded it on the boat for a trial, and it worked! Was able to watch the Browns win with friends and family on the lake:

With the concept proven, I worked this weekend on fabricating an overhead mount for the tv, just did a test fit and am pretty happy with it:



Still need to finish the cable management, but I powered it up and it works great.
The mounting plate is 3/16 aluminum painted in a textured black. It mounts to the Bimini frame with u-bolts and sex-nuts. U-bolts were heat shrink wrapped to protect the frame.
The mount is a monoprice under-counter flat screen mount designed for use in RVs and yachts, it’s light but stout, and has a strong latch to stow the tv out of the way.
Power and audio cables run down the tower and connect to the Helm 12V socket and audio input.
If we get another good day this year I’ll do an update and pictures with the top on and on the water.

 

[Betik]

You and @swatski shojld take that boat to Bimini in 2020. And if you do that, I promise to have a GoPro on a gyroscope pointing your way the whole time.

 

[Hoyt]

You sir are a God. This is awesome. Takes boating to a new level

 

[Plpbecks]

You and @swatski shojld take that boat to Bimini in 2020. And if you do that, I promise to have a GoPro on a gyroscope pointing your way the whole time.

Ha! I read about swatski’s “falling out”; There are many things I’d like in my lap but a wake tower is not one of them!

This rig is for calm days and coving, not the big water. We run Lake Erie often with its bone-jarring 3’ chop and I assure you this beauty will be safely on a shelf in the garage.

 

[Weeb]

I was watching football with a 12v tv on the boat back in the 80’s. It was good for tailgating at football games too.

 

[Betik]

There are many things I’d like in my lap

there is only one thing I like on my laps LOL

 

[Plpbecks]

Finally got a decent football Sunday to try out the rig. Works great! It’s low 60s here but sunny, so we put up the front curtains. Now that I have this sorted out, hopefully the browns can get their offense sorted out!

 

[mark_m]

@Sweinberger

 

[Sweinberger]

I like it. Where did you find the cord or was it one specific to the tv? it looks like you just used ubolts to secure the plate for the swivel mount. The rain\wind shield you are using.. Was that aftermarket? That is something I definitely need to pick up.

 

[Plpbecks]

@Sweinberger since the tv is direct 12v in, I just found a cord that had a DC coax plug the same size as the tv, and cigarette lighter style on the other end. The one I’m using happens to be from my marine radio charger. Since that cord is only 36”, I have a 10’ extender I purchased on amazon. That and a 3.5mm cord that plugs into the tv route down and plug in next to the helm.

The front curtain is something I DIY’d, made that a few weeks ago and just finished up aft curtains this week for a full camper enclosure. Even the front curtain really helps. No wind at all in the boat at speed. I see you have an LSE also, the top on our boats made this really easy and I had it planned before I even took delivery of the boat. I’m going to do a post on the enclosure in the next couple of days when I can get some better photos.

I took these photos at Alum today, in your neck of the woods. Was a great day to be out, warmer than I thought and nice and quiet.

 

[mark_m]

@Plpbecks @Sweinberger we need to get a watch party setup on alum!

 

[Plpbecks]

I’m all in, would love to watch the Buckeyes on the boat, but with their schedule it hasn’t worked out. There’s always next year!