Though wall mounting a flat screen RV TV in your motorhome is not necessary, it is highly recommended that you do so that the TV is properly secured.

Installing a new television in the doghouse location is fairly easy and can usually be completed in just a couple of hours. This is carried out by first removing the original television.

RV TV Wallmounts | Jensen RV TV’s

Trimming out a nice piece of plywood from your local hardware store you can form a wall that fits inside the opening of the doghouse TV shroud.

You will of course want the wall to fit snugly inside of the doghouse TV housing shroud and also fit flush against the inside front edge.

Drill a series of well spaced pilot holes around the perimeter of the shroud face through the plywood.

Secure the plywood to the doghouse TV shroud using small to medium wood screws. You now have a wall in which to mount your new RV TV.

The mount used for attaching the new TV to the doghouse wall is normally a flat mount. Using a wall-mount with articulation tends to let the TV get in the way of the pilot and copilot. A flat mount or flat mount with tilt is best for this location.

Installing the mount is done by first determining the exact horizontal (side to side) center of the new doghouse wall and marking it.

The proper vertical placement for the wall portion of the wall mount can be determined after attaching the TV portion of the mount to the back of the TV.

Once you have established the proper location a hole about 1.5″ – 2″ in diameter should be added just below the wall mount bracket. This hole will provide a way to run wires to the back of the TV without damaging the wires or creating an unsightly mess.

Attach the TV portion of the wall mount to the back of the TV using the 4 included screws. On the back of the TV measure from the bottom of the mount plate to the bottom of the TV.

Now you’ll know the minimum height the wall portion of the wall mount can be placed on the new doghouse wall.

So the new wall is completely installed in the doghouse TV shroud and it’s time to replace the shroud into the RV.

All original hardware should do the trick and hold the new RV TV in-place nicely.

Additionally you may choose to add a small steel “L” bracket to the bottom of the wall anchoring into the floor directly.

Finally slide the TV portion of the mount (attached to the TV) down into the wall portion of the mount (attached to the wall).

The two pieces firmly lock into each other and from there only one or two (depending on the type and size of mount used) included small machine screws keep the two pieces firmly locked together.

In our project we’ve used a small piece of 3/4″ plywood, sanded, stained and trimmed to fit the TV shroud. Small plastic screw cover snaps (normally color matching to RV interior) with 1″ zinc coated wood screws. Flat adjustable TV wallmount and one Jensen RV TV.

Wiring directly to the 12 volt battery:
Begin by disconnecting the negative battery terminal from the vehicles 12 volt battery. The positive wire from the new 12V outlet will need to be fed/fished through the firewall. Normally feeding a wire through the firewall is relatively simple and should be done where wires already run through the firewall. Once the wire is fed through from inside the vehicle into the engine compartment an inline fuse holder should be crimped or soldered onto the end of the positive wire coming from the new 12V outlet. The fuse holder lead then gets a ring terminal crimped or soldered on and then attached to the positive 12 volt battery terminal. The negative wire from the new 12V outlet should then be connected to the vehicle chassis. Once a fuse is put into the fuse holder and the negative terminal reconnected to the battery, the new 12V outlet is ready to go.

Wiring to the fuse block:
Begin by disconnecting the negative battery terminal from the vehicles 12 volt battery. The fuse block inside the vehicle will most times have a few blank spots for adding your own fused line. In many cases the manufacturer will have also snapped in a few unused crimp ends. The crimp ends will be snapped into the fuse block but will have no wiring attached to them and will be located in an unmarked section of the fuse block. To attach a new 12V outlet to the fuse block you must remove two of the extra crimp terminals from the back-side of the fuse block. The first crimp end is either crimped or soldered onto the end of the positive wire from the 12V outlet. The second crimp end can either be connected with an appropriately sized wire directly to the battery, or by using a “wire tap” it can be connected to the main positive power wire feeding the fuse block.

Once both terminals are snapped back into the fuse block the new 12V outlet needs to have it’s negative wire connected to the chassis of the vehicle (the shorter the ground wire the better). Once the ground wire is connected a fuse should be placed into the new fuse block location feeding the new 12V outlet and then the negative battery terminal re-connected to the vehicle battery.

With that being said, let’s get started!

LED Lights with only one wire will normally ground (-) through the base of the light housing and are going to be a single function light. This means marker light, running light, brake light or blinker. In this case the single wire whether the color is white, black or red will function as the positive (+) power wire.

LED Lights with 2 wires are generally going to be a single function light. This means marker light, running light, brake light or blinker. In this case one of the wires will be ground (-) and the other is positive(+). Generally a white and a black wire will be provided. The white will normally be the ground(-) and the black will be the positive(+).

LED Lights with 3 wires will be a multi-function light. They can (most times) be used in whatever configuration is right for your application. For example, running and brake, running and blinker or brake and blinker. These LED’s will usually have a black, red and white wire. In this case the white is ground(-), red is positive(+) and black is the second positive(+).

So for the LED’s with 3 wires being installed as brake and blinker – connecting the LED light’s black wire to the vehicle’s positive brake light wire and the LED lights red wire to the vehicles positive(+) blinker wire coming from the flasher relay would be correct.

Being that there is really no industry standard for wire coloring in these “aftermarket” LED lights, testing with a multi-meter is always a good idea. Most times the LED’s will include some details about wiring, but they don’t always.

Testing LED lights for proper polarity with a 9v battery is also a great way of determining which wires are positive and which are negative. For example, if you have a three wire LED light assembly, touch the suspected negative(-) wire to the 9v battery negative(-) side and at the same time, touch the one of the remaining wires to the 9v battery positive(+) side. If by chance you’re mistaken and end up with both positive wires connected to the 9v battery (LED + to 9v(-) and LED+ to 9v(+) ) no damage should occur.

Automotive Truck – Trailer LED Lights

To mount the solar battery maintainer (in a dry location off the ground):
• Using the solar panel as a template (guide), mark the location of the four pre-molded mounting holes on a secure, flat surface.
• If necessary, drill four 7/64” (0.109) dia. Pilot holes.
• Mount the solar panel using the four stainless steel screws provided.

Note: Do not over tighten the screws or you will break the plastic frame of the solar panel.

Operating instructions
• This solar battery maintainer must be properly assembled in accordance with the assembly instructions before it is used.

The solar battery maintainer does not have an on\off switch. The on and off commands are controlled by placing the solar panel in the sun only after the battery connections have been made.

• You MUST disconnect the solar panel from the 12 volt power outlet or battery when starting the engine or driving the vehicle. Electrical surges from the alternator when starting and running may damage the solar panel.
NOTE: The clips and 12V output are always live.
Charging:
• Ensure that all the solar battery maintainer components are in place and in good working condition, for example, the plastic boots on the battery clips.
• Decide weather you are going to use the 12 volt power plug or the battery clips to connect the solar panel to the vehicle. Connect the proper cable to the solar panel making sure the connection is secure.
• If using the 12 volt power plug, plug the connector into the vehicles power outlet making sure the connection is secure.
• If using the battery clips, connect the battery following the precautions listed in sections 6 and 7.
• Place the solar panel in the sun. for optimum solar battery maintainer output, face the front (glass_ side of the solar panel towards the sun, making sure there are no shadows being cast on the panel by the vehicle or any other objects. The best orientation to place the solar panel is in a south to north direction with the panel tilted at a suitable angle. The best angle would be the same as your local latitude. (Aim the panel as best as possible in the direction of the sun)
• To disconnect, reverse the procedure.

Using the quick-disconnect cable connectors
Connect either of the two output cable assemblies to the solar battery maintainer in seconds. Do not place on wet ground, anywhere it could be accidently stepped on or in a place or position where it could fall while being used. Never use the output cables together for other applications.

50 Amp battery clips
• Connect the end of the solar battery maintainer output cables to the end of the 50 amp battery clip cable.
• Follow the steps in sections 6 and 7 to connect the output clips to the battery.
• After a good electrical connection is made to the battery, place the solar panel in the sun per the instructions in step 3 of the maintaining section.

12V accessory plug
Maintain your battery without lifting the hood.
• Connect the end of the 12V accessory plug cable quick-connect to the solar battery maintainer.
• Insert the 12V accessory plug in to the 12V accessory outlet.
• Route the power cord from the solar battery maintainer through the vehicle’s open window.
• Place the solar panel in the sun per the instructions in step 3 of the maintaining section.

New Solar Battery Maintainer Chargers | 12 Volt Accessory Outlet

The polarity info you will be looking for will tell you if the plug needs to have a positive tip or a negative tip and will resemble one of the following polarity symbols.

Positive Tip Polarity

Negative Tip Polarity

You will of course need to figure out which tip is right for your application. You can do this by comparing the universal tips to the original equipment, or by testing each one to determine which fits best into your device power jack.

The universal power adapter tips have two prongs and will plug into the power adapter cord end. There are two positions that each tip can be plugged into the cord end. Your required polarity will determine which position is right for you.

The following diagram shows the plug tip positions require to achieve a “Positive Tip” or a “Negative Tip”.

Tip Positions for Positive & Negative Polarity

END NOTE::::: Before connecting a universal power supply to any electronic device you should first determine the power required by the device (normally located on original power supply). Once you know the amount of power required, check that the universal power supply can output enough power for your device.

In-Dash DVD Players will have audio and video (A/V) outputs and most will also have audio and video (A/V) inputs. These will be located on the back of the In-Dash DVD Player where the wire harness plugs in.

To get started lets use a Single DIN AM/FM CD/DVD Player In-Dash Stereo with a Small Built-In LCD Screen. Let’s also assume that you already know how to properly install a car stereo.

Once you have decided on a location for the DVD Player Stereo and a location for the TV or Raw LCD Monitor/Monitors you’ll need to run the audio and/or video cables. You’ll also need to supply power to the monitors or the TV. If you’re going with a 12-Volt TV and you don’t have an outlet in the desired location use an Additional 12-Volt Outlet. RAW LCD Monitors don’t have a built-in power button/switch. For these you should use a Toggle Switch.

Make sure to keep your audio and video cables away from heat, power wires and moving parts that may pinch the cables over time.

Set Up 1 – In-Dash CD/DVD AM/FM + 12-Volt Television:

With this method you can play your DVD movies on the In-Dash DVD Player, hear the movies through your stereo sound system and watch the movies on your 12-Volt TV.

You will also be able to watch broadcast TV, or cable or satellite (if you have the equipment and subscriptions) and hear all of this through your stereo sound system.

• Run a Set of Audio Video Cables (1 red, 1 white, 1yellow) from the DVD Player to the TV.
• Behind the DVD Player connect the video cable to the DVD Player’s video output.
• Behind the DVD Player the Red and White Audio cables to the DVD Player Left and Right Audio INPUT.
• Behind the TV plug the video cable into the TV Video Input
• Behind the TV plug the Red and White Audio cables into the TV Audio Left and Right OUTPUT.

Set Up 2 – In-Dash CD/DVD AM/FM + One RAW LCD Monitor:

• Run a single Video cable from DVD Player to the LCD Monitor.
• Plug the Video cable into the LCD Monitor Video Input cable
• Behind the DVD Player plug the Video cable into the DVD Player Video Output cable.

Set Up 3 – In-Dash CD/DVD AM/FM + Two or More RAW LCD Monitors: Requires Video Splitter or Pig Tail Splitter

If installing two monitors fairly close to each other you may want to use a “pig tail splitter” to split your one DVD video feed cable into two.

• Run a Video Cable from the DVD player Video output to within a few feet of each monitor
• Attach the pig tail splitter
• Attach a Video Cable to both of the leads from the pig tail splitter
• Run the Video Cables to your LCD Monitors

If you have installed or plan to install more than two monitors. . .

• Run a single Video cable from the DVD Player output to the video signal splitter input.
• Attach a video cable to the video signal splitter output for each monitor you install.
• Run each Video Cable to an LCD Monitor
• Plug the Video cables into the LCD Monitors Input cables

Have you completed the channel scanning process? We will cover the basics of scanning for channels. This will apply to most portable televisions found at 12volt-travel.com.

Most televisions have a set of buttons on them that normally includes a “menu” button. Often, once the menu button has been pressed, the channel buttons will work as left to right navigation and the volume buttons will work as the up and down navigation. Press the menu button and then navigate to an option like “antenna”.
At this point we would use the volume button to move downward finally selecting the auto scan feature. It will take several minutes to complete the auto scan process.
During the auto scan process you will notice a progress indicator. This will tell you how far the scan has progressed as well as how many channels have been found. At this point it is safe to navigate away from the menu and if any channels were found during the scan you can begin watching your 12V TV.

1: Always check your tire pressure when your tires are cold. Checking cold tires simply means that your tires are at air temperature. You can check tire pressure any time of the day, no matter what the outside temperature is, as long as the tires have been sitting for a few hours or haven’t been driven for more than a few miles.

2: Avoid over inflation and under inflation because this could cause damage to your tires. Over inflation pressure increases stiffness which may deteriorate ride and generate excessive vibration. Under inflation may result in severe cracking or even a blowout. Always inflate tires to the pressure listed on the vehicle door or in the owner’s manual. The number on the tire is the maximum allowable air pressure for that particular tire, not the recommended pressure for that tire when used on your vehicle.

3: Visually inspect your tires often and check tire pressure monthly. It is difficult to tell just by looking at radial tires whether they are under inflated. Also, the “feel” of the vehicle does not change significantly, so gauge-checks are preferred.

Before beginning the pairing process make sure to charge the Bluetooth headset and have the Bluetooth PIN close at hand. You will need the PIN later on in the pairing process. The headset should come with a PIN for you to enter. Most use a basic default PIN such as “0000”, “1111”, or “1234”. After your headset is charged and you have located your PIN number you are ready to begin the pairing process.

To start the pairing process, go to the Bluetooth menu on the device you are connecting to. If you can not find the Bluetooth menu either go to the main menu of the device and locate Bluetooth, or refer to your owner’s manual. Have this menu open while you turn on the Bluetooth headset to “pairing mode”.

This mode is typically attained by starting with the headset off, then pressing and holding the multi-function (call answer) button for a few seconds. A light will blink to let you know the device is on, and after holding in the button for a few more seconds the LED on the headset will blink in alternating colors (typically red-blue) indicating the headset is in “pairing mode”.

From the Bluetooth menu on the device you are connecting to, select “Find” headset. This may not be the exact word used, but it will be a close variation. When the device “Finds” the headset you are trying to connect to it will ask you for the PIN. When prompted enter the PIN.

Wait a moment and you should receive a message confirming the connection. It will say something along the lines of “Hands Free Connection Established”. That’s it. You are now connected and ready to go.

The closer the converter box is to your TV the less cost you’ll have in A/V cables. It’s much cheaper and easier to run a long coaxial cable from the antenna to the box than it is to run a long A/V cable from the box to the TV.

Connecting the DTV2 converter/tuner box to your 12-volt system is pretty easily done.

Your TV must have audio/video inputs, this is how the 12v converter box will connect.  The audio/video cables from the 12V converter are Female.

Getting Started :

1. Choose a location to install the 12Volt Converter Box and run a coaxial cable from your existing TV antenna to the converter box. You may also choose to use the included TV antenna. You may use coaxial connectors and additional cable to lengthen the included TV antennas cable up to 100′ (feet).
2. Run a set of A/V cables from the TV to the converter box. Make sure to leave enough cable at each end of the run to work with.
3. Find a suitable location for the included IR sensor that is within reach of it’s 9′(foot) cable. The IR sensor should be visible from the areas that you will be using your remote control. Run the cable from the desired location to the 12V converter box.

Working with the connection harness: In autos

1. Connect the Red(+) power wire to the vehicle ACC power. There should only be power to this wire when the vehicle ignition is in the ACC position.
2. Connect the Yellow(+) power wire to the vehicle 12Volt Battery (+). This should always have power. This if for the converter box memory of scans, language settings etc.
3. Connect the Black(-) power wire to the vehicle chassis or the 12Volt system Ground(-) location.
4. Connect the A/V cables from the 12V converter harness to your previously run set of Audio/Video Cables w/both male ends.

Working with the connection harness: Alternative Power

1. Connect the Red(+) & Yellow(+) power wires to the  12Volt Battery Positive (+) or the 12Volt system Positive(+) location capable of at least 2 amps.
2. Connect the Black(-) power wire to the 12Volt Battery Negative (-) or the 12Volt system Ground(-) location.
3. Connect the A/V cables from the 12V converter harness to your previously run set of Audio/Video Cables w/both male ends.

Bringing it All Together

1. Connect the coaxial cable from the included digital ready TV antenna (or your own broadcast TV antenna cable) to the Antenna In on the converter box.
2. Connect the IR sensor to the IR jack on the 12V converter box.
3. Connect the Wire harness plug to the 12V converter box.

DTV2 Connection Diagram