derekc

Flip down VESA mount + a DELL 1503FP as an overhead LCD monitor?

Product Description
The LCD Under-Cabinet Swivel Mount is the perfect space saving mount for the kitchen or bathroom. It easily frees up counter space when needed. Simply hang your small LCD TV under your cabinet, swivel it for viewing from anywhere. It easily flips the screen back up under the cabinet for storage. A retaining clamp keeps it stored under the cabinet. Internal cord management ensure a clutter-free installation.
Flips down to display the screen and stores it flush under the counter when not in use
Offers 180° of swivel and 110° of tilt
Comes with hardware for installation to a cabinet
Features internal cord management for a clean installation
Weighs 2.75 lbs
For 13-15" LCD TVs up to 10 lbs
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DELL 1503FP has RGB and DVI inputs. It uses an AC adapter outputting 12V DC. It supports VESA mount. It weighs about 12 lbs.


Wouldn't this combination or hardware better any Asian made overhead LCDs which I have never found one with quality that I am satisfied with?

2.75 + 12 = 15 lbs is not much for a roof to support, right?

Too bad 1503FP is not a widescreen and it doesn't have speakers built in. But 12V DC input means I can tie it to the car battery without a DC/DC adapter.

Any comment?

MP3Car.com

 

DarquePervert

In all but the largest of vehicles, a 15" monitor is going to be friggin HUGE.

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Alanh

Several things I can think of...

Mounting will be a problem. You won't be hanging something that weighs 15 lbs off your headliner - at least not for long. That will require some bracket or structure up there to mount it to which may not exist. I guess you could always bolt it up through the skin of the roof if you don't have any issues with bolts showing on the top of your car or water leaking in if not sealed well.

Crash worthiness could be a problem. If it isn't mounted securely, will it come loose and go flying in a crash or does it end up close to your head so your head hits it or the airbag hits it? It doesn't look like it has rounded corners or padding, so it won't be fun if it hits you or you hit it with your head.

It looks like its fairly long. By the time you put it up there and fold it down, the LCD may be so far toward the back of the car you can't even see it.

Do you need to use your rear-view mirror when its down?

HiJackZX1

Omg that flip down mechanism is cool.... i was looking for something like that.... You also have to remember, in a car enviroment weight is an issue. You dont want to install it and then it takes your ceiling panel with it.

In a thread i posted (but no one seems to want to answer me, so im assuming it hasnt been done), I am going to try to buy a flat panel display and strip away all the heavy components and relocate them so the only thing left is the screen and casing.... everything else will be put under a seat or some place safe.

Is that bracket made of metal? 2.7 lbs...... hmmmm.... how heavy is a typical flip down car screen, about 15 to 20 inches?

derekc

Looks like I have to remove the headlining and build some strong supporting bracket. Hope my skinny Prius won't give in. I will post pics if/when I am done with it.

etsicc

You do not have to remove the headliner. In most vehicles you will find a roof bow that is plenty stong enough to mount to. Some vehicles have a couple that you span across which will be even better.

derekc

2007 Prius.
I found this link showing the bare roof of a prius:
http://picasaweb.google.com/MagGreyP...17249126218242

HiJackZX1

Honestly I think it would be better to make your own mount out of light weight material.... looking at the mount you show, it looks easy. Maybe you can buy the metal version and take it to a place to have a plastic version made?

Or you can make your own flip down bracket..... I think the sides of the monitor can have a bracket added to the side easily.... and then added along the rails that go across......

MP3Car.com

 

etsicc

I cannot tell how long that peerless is. If it can span the distance from the front roof bow to the second you should not have any issues with weight. If you can get it mounted good to those roof bows I would estimate is could hold 15-20 pounds. Another thing to consider is how that peerless bracket is going to perform in a moving vehicle.

derekc

And this peerless mount is folding forward with the LCD screen facing down. With a widescreen down a few inches right next to the driver's head, accident will happen.

Oh man. Looks like another dead end.

HiJackZX1

its never a dead end.... just rethink your stradegy and ideas....... first off I would take off the headliner..... and do some measurements..... my idea in full, is to take of the headliner, look for a solid beam and mark it.... then build the bracket which will be about the weight of a metal sharpie king size permanant marker..... then open the LCD.... strip out all the heavy stuff and relocate it some were else. Then use the origianl casing... drill a hole on the top sides of each end and thats were the bracket goes through.... I will most likely have the rod part of the bracket connect on the inside to create on sturdy bracket instead of 2 individual.... then towards the rear part i will make i simple pull and push tab.... when i flip the monitor forward to close the tab will lock it into place... when I want to release it pull the tab and the monitor swings down..... Im still trying to figure out a way to slow the decent of the monitor because after a few slams either the monitor will break and or the roof beam may be damaged.... I may get my display soon to start testing and modding..... When buying a monitor, make sure the plastic that encloses it is light, dont by monitors with the power adapter built in, buy one with it external.... also so one mentioned in my thread to buy a monitor that is LVDS... here is what he said....

Finally, most newer desktop LCD's use an LVDS interface. The cabling on LVDS can usually be longer than the older TTL signaling and requires fewer wires. If you get a monitor that uses an LVDS panel, you should be able to extend the wiring to the controller. In fact, you can even get a motherboard that has onboard LVDS, which may allow you to ditch the rest of the monitor's components entirely.

hope this helps!

MP3Car.com