Cockpit TV lift.

[themorganjane]

The factory TV's in the Sundancer cockpits are just too small in my opinion to actually watch unless you are 3 feet from them. I installed a large screen TV in the cockpit of mine and mounted it on a custom made electric TV lift that raises the TV up 24 inches to be viewed and down to be stored out of the way. The TV is also mounted on an articulating arm which allows the TV to be viewed from either the Helm or the rear seating are. Watching the NFL and NASCAR outside is way cool. a few pictures are linked below. Since these pictures were taken, I have had all parts powder coated an aluminum/gray color. The unit utilizes a linear actuator(an electric motor and a long threaded rod) that I bought threw Graingers. The articulating TV arm was bought at Best Buy. The linear actuator basically moves a flat plate up and down 24 inches. The articulating arm is attached to the flat plate.

http://s764.photobucket.com/albums/xx286/wakersrigid/

 

[PMvdb395DA]

Hello,

Nice modification you did there.
Is it possible to place photo's here.
You can attach them, or better through a photobucket link.

Thanks.

Peter

 

[370Dancer]

We all hunger for custom this and that, so pictures will be much appreciated, along with technical details of your lift and arm.
Posting big pictures, or a lot of them is problematic here. Go to www.photobucket.com
and create an account. It's free, and pretty easy to set up albums of pictures. Then, you can just get the link to the album, or individual pics, and put it in your message like this:

The original salon TV

First pass was a 17" monitor with a laptop and HDTV pendrive

Second pass was to replace the laptop with a HDTV set top box

Then, I replaced the 17" with a 22" digital monitor, moving to DVI

My ultimate goal will be to mount a 32-37" on the bulkhead

 

[370Dancer]

In fact, here's how I did that.

Create your account, and on your home page, click Add a new album (1), and name it. Then, upload single images (2) or install the bulk loader (3)

Open the album, and select one or more pics to generate IMG code for

There will be many options generated. Select this batch of IMG code, copy it, and paste it into your Club Searay message

 

[tobnpr]

Post 'em up.

That's a common setup inside larger bridge boats, but I've never seen one built for exterior use. Please include pics that show how that sucker is made waterproof when it's tucked away...

 

[themorganjane]

I was lucky enough to been able to purchase a 2005 48 dancer a couple years back. As everyone you always start looking at the boats that are bigger than yours. After looking at the 60 and the 55 (that I couldn't afford anyway) i realized that when you add up everything from slip size, gph, speed and so forth, the 48 to me is the ultimate boat on the water. However the 55 and the 60 had big screen TV's on the Helm. That is what got me thinking. So I added a rear drop curtain and a large screen TV to my boat and now I have added a new room that can be used year round. The kids spend their time downstairs doing play station and disney channel and my friends and I spend all day upstairs in the sun monitoring the TV in between swimming and Jet Skiing. I couldn't be a better set up. Regardless of the size of boat you have you just need somewhere that the TV can be stored when not in use or you are cruizin. I have a rule that the TV cannot be on while underway. Too distrating to the pilot. Once I get the boat back in the water in a month or two, I will take the lift a part and take some pictures of the individual pieces. You will see how simple the whole device really is. As far as being wobbly and such. This thing is bullet proof. I made various other prototypes that ended up being too wobbly to be Sea Ray worthy. The foundation of the lift is the use of Metric square tubing. It just so happens that 30mm square tubing will fit snuggly inside of 40mm square tubing. So as you have figured out, the linear actuator is pushing and pulling square tubing up and down thru fixed square tubing one size larger that is fixed rigidly to the counter top surface and floor below.

 

[themorganjane]

Post 'em up.

That's a common setup inside larger bridge boats, but I've never seen one built for exterior use. Please include pics that show how that sucker is made waterproof when it's tucked away...

As far as being water proof, I had a vinyl cover made for the TV. Water Proof? Water resistant, yes. The lifting motor is located underneath a cabinet out of the weather.

 

[rjpdcc2]

hi looks great...i have a 37 too. does the original tv come out easily . i see 2 screws undeneath the set ..does that loosen the beast?..thx!