what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

[rube740]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

1990 regal 265 commador. I'm on my way right now with my drill. I'll take pictures with my phone

 

[Fireman431]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

More than likely, there will be access panels at the bottom of the arch on either side. It will be a plastic or aluminum cover plate. Remove the screws and you should be able to receive the cable from the top of the arch. When I ran mine, I used an electricians fish tape from the bottom and pushed it all the way to the arch, taped the cable to it and pulled it back thru. Check behind seat backs or seat bases for the access panels. There may also be cubby hole storage areas that double as the access area. The access has to be there because that's how the bolt the radar arch on.

Also, the antenna for the TV is going to require a 110v power supply near the TV if it's an amplified antenna. That is a simple plug in which clears the pic and decoded the HD signal (I think).

 

[rube740]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

Well no luck with the arch the only 2 cable there are the power cables to the dome lights that are in the arch

Here is the Cable that was connected to the fridge​

This is where i'm planning on putting the TV. I think its the best spot because from here everyone will be able to watch the tv.​

Measurements​

Behind the wall where i want to hang the TV. i'm thinking butterfly anchors​

I'm pretty sure running the wires through the arch is possible but I know it will be a pain in the behind. Any idea guys. I really like the digital antenna idea.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

like Fireman said there hes to be some access at the base of your arch, might be behind a wall panel, or ceiling. An electricians tape would be your easiest method. I did a search for ya and found this on the regal boats owner forums...it may or may not help you, but might give you an idea of where to look

"All wiring in the arch is fed through the starboard side. The factory wiring is all on quick disconnects incase the arch has to be removed for shipment. The items you install won't be. You can gain most access if you remove the speaker, light and plugs for the handrail in the arch. Keep in mind that the arch is aluminum skinned on both sides with a very thin piece of balsa between, so silicon or 4200 is your friend when sealing holes. There is a small hole in the base of the arch to get the wires through, which you can see with a small mirror and flashlight when you pull the speaker out. The best way is to remove the cubby that holds the cooler as you will have direct access to the bottom of the arch and can pull wires and such"

 

[rube740]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

I lifted the engine latches and I believe I saw where the arch cables are running threw. It looks like it's going to be a pain to run the wires to where I wanna put the TVs. And those digital boxes need power. So what do I connect the digital box to?

 

[NYBo]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

I think i'll be using DVD's more then anything.

Get a television with a built-in DVD player to greatly simplify installation.

It is just my opinion that 120V TVs are built better, mainly because they do not have the extra hardware required to run on 12V

Again, many actually run on 12 VDC and require an AC adapter brick or the internal equivalent to run on house current.

So what do I connect the digital box to?

Not sure what you mean. Current televisions have digital tuners.

 

[rube740]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

Yea Bo I was looking at a lot of TVs and they do carry built in digital antennas. A good question will be "how good is the reception?" I'm pretty sure that having an antenna on my arch will greatly improve my channel quality. Then again I'm a rookie at this, it is my 1st boat after all.

 

[rube740]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

Bo, your absolutely correct a lot of these tvs actually do come in DC instead of AC and then bring the brick. I was checking out my computer monitors and they clearly say "DC input" and then have the brick. but not all tv's are done like this my other 32 inch comes with an AC power cord. so I have a good question! If I find a tv/dvd combo that says its AC and come with a brick, can I cut the wire that comes with the brick slice it and put it together with the 12v DC wire that was once connected to my refrigerator? Remember guys that my fridge was not connected directly to a outlet but instead a wire was sliced and connected directly to the wire of the fridge.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

Yea Bo I was looking at a lot of TVs and they do carry built in digital antennas. A good question will be "how good is the reception?" I'm pretty sure that having an antenna on my arch will greatly improve my channel quality. Then again I'm a rookie at this, it is my 1st boat after all.

New tv's don't necessarily have digital antennas (unless you find one with the antenna built in or something to that nature) they have digital tuners which are capable of decoding a digital over-the-air signal (old analog TV's can't decode a digital signal, hence why you need the additional tuner box to make them work). You will still need a good antenna (should be externally mounted) to get the most out of the TV when viewing broadcast stations. From what I understand with a digital TV you either have a picture or you don't (supposidly it's supposed to be a better picture than what cable/satelite can provide too). It's not like an old analog TV that you could sorta get a fuzzy picture on if you held the coat hanger South East while pointing your tin foil wrapped foot at 65? North...

 

[JDA1975]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

check the bricks output, some bricks convert the 120 down to 9.6V or lower even, if it does the you would need to find a 12V brick that convers to lower voltage DC. check your TVs output..should say something like input 100-120V 60HZ, and Output 12V 1amp....this should covert, but if it says output 5.1V @6amps you would need to find a 12volt adapter that outputs 5.1V @ 6 amps, they make universals for almost any application ( http://www.powerstream.com/dcdc.htm ) just be sure your output matches the TVs rated inputs and you will be fine, I have used adapters like this to power battery operated equipment (soldered wires to the batter terminals) like my kids bicycle video game (cant recall name) on a 120V cord.

 

[rube740]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

Now I got it rogers, I thought that the TV's brought their own digital antenna's. So now I know the difference between "turner" and "antenna". I would definitely love to run wire up to my arch so I can put the antenna there. I'm guessing I would have to get the electrician snake in order to run the cable through my arch and into my instrument cluster (I believe thats where my cables from the arch are being ran to). I would have to find out How in the world I'm gonna power the antenna now! I would have to power the antenna and run the wire to my tv. and remember my battery power is 12dc so I have to find out what type of power this antenna is going to take. I can't wait till I start this project.

JD. Thanks for the advice, I think I'm definitely going with a AC operated TV that is DC powered and then buy what ever converter I need. It's clearly visable that the AC models are built better with great quality.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

The arch is made to mount things that need wires. They are made to be accessed, although not necessary simple. But don't be afraid of it. Here are several ways to do it.

Go to home depot and get a $15 fish tape (made for this purpose). From yor arch's access panel fish the tape. When the tape hits the spot where the arch meets tbe boat, it will likely stop (probably only has a hole about an inch or so, and measure the distance to that spot before starting so you will know you are there). At this point, you will have to move the tape in and out an inch or two many times until it finds the hole. Took me 20 minutes before it hit the hole. Be patient. Then the tape will go into the boat and you should be able to see it somewhere. Then tape you wires PLUS a pull string for future use to the fish tape and pull it back up.

The other way is to use you light's wire as your pull string. It already has the path.

Good luck, and remember, always leave a pull string behind for future use.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

The digital powered box is about the size of a zippo lighter. The cable runs from the antenna down to the digital box. The box is plugged into a standard 110v outlet. The cable runs from the box to the TV. When power is applied, a little red LED light comes on letting you know it's hot. Turn on the TV and run your channel setup.

When you're ready to pull your TV cable, get a friend. Start where the TV is to be mounted (or at least close). Run an electrician's fishing tape up, having the friend continually feed it as you pull it toward the arch. If you have never used one, they are 1/8" thin, flexible steel. They are usually 50' long and you can push them vertically about 20'.

When you finally get it fed to the access hole at the top of the arch, drill your mounting hole on the top. Mount your antenna and tape the cable to the fish tape. Slowly feed the cable in as the helper slowly pulls the fishing tape back out. Finish your install.

As the digital box draws so little amperage, you could easily get away with using a small inverter at this point instead of having to run the genset. This box shouldn't draw any more amps than a cell phone car charger or a radar detector.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

Now I got it rogers, I thought that the TV's brought their own digital antenna's. So now I know the difference between "turner" and "antenna". I would definitely love to run wire up to my arch so I can put the antenna there. I'm guessing I would have to get the electrician snake in order to run the cable through my arch and into my instrument cluster (I believe thats where my cables from the arch are being ran to). I would have to find out How in the world I'm gonna power the antenna now! I would have to power the antenna and run the wire to my tv. and remember my battery power is 12dc so I have to find out what type of power this antenna is going to take. I can't wait till I start this project.

JD. Thanks for the advice, I think I'm definitely going with a AC operated TV that is DC powered and then buy what ever converter I need. It's clearly visable that the AC models are built better with great quality.

Rube,

Looks like the Shakespeare/radio shack amplified RV/Marine antennas will work with both 12VDC or 110AC (with adapter). I would stick to the 12VDC set up. You say the wires all run to the instrument panel. This is a good thing, as you should be able to find a 12VDC power source there for the antenna. If you have any un-used accessory switches, I would run the antenna off the switch. That way you will be able to power down the antenna when not in use, and negate drawing down the batteries. After that you will just need to find a way to fish the coax cable to the cabin for the TV.

As far as powering the TV, since you have decided to go with an AC model, if the TV you chose does not have an external transformer (brick) that you can ommit for your power source, than any run of the mill 400 watt power inverter that you can pick up for 30-40 bucks should be able to do the job. Just make sure it's placed in a position where it will get enough air for it's internal fan to keep it cool, and you can access the power button to shut it down when not in use.

Something like these should work fine;
http://www.harborfreight.com/400-watt-continuous-800-watt-peak-power-inverter-66814.html

http://www.walmart.com/ip/XO-Vision-600W-DC-to-AC-Power-Inverter/15779978

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

http://www.lowes.com/pd_329144-1001...1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=inverter&facetInfo=

 

[rube740]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

Yea, looks like i'm gonna go with the inverter and connect the old refrigerator line to the inverter. then plug the tv and antenna to the inverter.

The only reason I wanted a DC TV is because of the power consumption, but from what i've read so far I don't think having the TV on is going to kill my battery with out the engine running. Even at that my boat is equipped with 2 batteries. I cant see myself having the tv on for more then even 4 to 5 hours anyways. And I will be able to kill the tv and antenna power by shutting of the "REFRIG" switch on my panel.

This is the wall where i'm going to put the tv on. If you can see its a very thin wall.

My plan is to put a piece of ply wood or 2x2's and screw in the wall mount. Run the wires straight down and cover them with these wire covers i've seen in home depot. The picture with the wire you saw is right under that wall that i want to put the tv on so it works out pretty nice.

This is the back side of the wall i want to install the tv on. Notice the heater in the back of the picture. If i'm not mistaken I think that is connected to the "macerator" switch on the main box (I'll double check). But I know my boat definitely does not have a macerator.

Doesn't look like its going to be that tuff, except for running the wires for the antenna. Lets see!

Thank you guys for the help I really appreciated

 

[JDA1975]

Re: what to do with an extra 12v line ?????

Sounds like ya got yourself a plan, would like to see where you finally find your access and route your cabling when your done! Just for general knowledge!