Computer and Entertainment Electronics Install
I have been busy installing the various entertainment electronics in the Stealth Camper. I bought 3 identical TV’s, the 22” Naxa, NX563, from:
http://www.12volt-travel.com/1...d-player-p-8566.html
They have all the normal bells and whistles you would expect from a modern LED/LCD TV plus a built in DVD player. They come with a 12V cigarette lighter plug as well as an AC Adapter. My original intent was to use standard AC powered TV’s but when I went to FRY’s and started looking, I noticed that a lot of the AC powered TV’s were actually 12V or 24V DC with an AC adapter. That prompted a little more internet research which led to the Naxa for $331.15. I put one at the foot of each bunk bed, and the 3rd one doubles as my computer monitor. I hooked them up to my Winegard antenna with Wingman focusing elements and amplifier and immediately had about 60 digital broadcast channels. What really surprised me is when I lowered the antenna flat on the top of the truck and still had almost all the channels with a good strong signal.
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/p...ntennas-winegard.htm
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/p...winegard-wingman.htm
For the computer monitor, I used a standard NEMA articulating wall mount, in addition to the standard TV base. It sits on the desk top with the wall mount hidden behind the TV and is firmly supported for travel, but I can still swing it out to get access to the cable inputs. There is also an audio input that comes from the PC so I can use the speakers in the TV.
I made my own custom wall mounts for the TV’s in the bunk bays. They are flat to the wall and do not articulate. I was not happy with the idea of using just the 4 mounting screws in the back of the TV. They are just metal inserts into the rear plastic cover. They would probably be strong enough in a stationary application, but I am afraid that they might not hold up to the vibration in the truck. When I removed the stand I realized that I could also make a bracket that ties the stand mount into the wall. I have included pictures of the result under keyword “stealth”. It is a pain to plug and unplug cables when the TV is mounted flat on the wall, but I don’t expect to be doing that often.
Since the TV and antenna all run on 12V I can watch TV without turning on my inverter. The TV’s are also very efficient and only draw about 3A (41W) each.
I also bought a new Toshiba laptop from Walmart online.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tosh...rrying-Case/13341716
Nothing fancy, just your basic laptop with Windows 7 Home Premium. It managed to piss me off for a while (as computers always do), but I got it working in my house and talking to the internet via my wireless Ethernet. I took it out to the truck and installed it with my Wave Magnum USB Amplifier and crank up antenna which includes a 11.8db omni and a 14 dbi Yagi combined with a splitter.
http://www.radiolabs.com/produ...less/wave-magnum.php
http://www.radiolabs.com/produ...2.4gig/14eleyagi.php
http://www.radiolabs.com/produ...-network-antenna.php
http://www.radiolabs.com/produ...s/2-way-splitter.php
Within short order I had access to the internet inside the truck via my wireless router inside the house. I can also see about 20 other Wi-Fi access points, and about 4 of them have no password or other security. Just for fun I connected to one of them and started watching a movie on Netflix. I didn’t watch the whole movie because I just wanted to see if it would work (and because it’s a bit rude to steal bandwidth). It is encouraging to know that I have so many free paths to the Internet though…
Just for fun, I was monitoring the signal strength (5 bars) and I lowered the antenna. Even lying flat on the top of the roof I was getting 4 bars. It will be interesting to see how far I can drive the truck and still pick up my little wireless router in the house, especially once I start pointing the Yagi.
I made a special mount for the laptop. The screen portion is held to one of the side walls by some loose fitting plastic brackets. The base, or keyboard portion can fold up flat against the wall to maximize table space, or it can fold down flat on the table top for access to the keyboard. Either way, all the cables to the monitor/TV, antenna, audio, and USB expander remain connected to the PC. The USB expander then feeds the keyboard, mouse, laser printer, and color printer/scanner. For the moment, I have to turn on the inverter to power the USB expander and the printers, and also to charge the batteries in the laptop, but if I make a little 5V regulator for the USB expander I will be fully functional without AC. I won’t be able to print, and the laptop batteries will run down eventually, but basic computing will only require 12V. I could have used a wireless keyboard and mouse, but I would rather not have to replace the batteries all the time.
I still have a bunch of work to do on the computer, loading files, loading applications, but the basics including Microsoft Office, E-Mail, and the anti-virus stuff is all working. I even tested the printers.
I struggled a bit getting the Ethernet working inside the truck. My original intent was to use Wi-Fi to pass internet connectivity to the PS3 and my internet enabled Blu-Ray DVD player. It turns out that is not possible. The hardware supports it, but the operating system doesn’t allow internet sharing between two wireless ports. As a result I ended up using Cat5e cable from the Ethernet connector on the laptop to a Gigabit Ethernet switch and then to the PSP and DVD player. I struggled a bit with Windows configuration, but it eventually worked. I can simultaneously watch two different movies via Netflix, one in the lower bunk via the DVD Player, and one in the upper bunk via the PS3. I could probably watch a third directly on the computer, but how many movies can one person watch?
Pictures are available in the photo gallery under keyword “Stealth”. To be continued…