Edu
02-11-2008, 09:30 AM
The idea is to take a standard LCD TV, put it in the back of a pickup truck, add a video source and drive the thing all over town.
Two LCDs would be better, one facing out to each side. Ask a fellow RP supporter to go along (with his TV).
You are emulating the larger sign trucks that look like these http://www.mobilemastertrucks.com/TruckModels/
A 37" LCD TV gives you a display of 32"W X 18"H (2.6 X 1.5 ft) they are about $600 at places like http://www.refurbdepot.com/ (some local places have 30 day return with no restocking charge, ideas?)
For video, if you have a laptop with video out or a USB to video out converter they use for business presentations. You can then use a bunch of pics displayed as a slideshow, see http://www.customsigngenerator.com/ or possibly create your own video using one of the videos at http://www.ronpauldvd.com/downloads.rp08 and your own video editing program.
To power the TVs you can use a 12V to 120V inverter, each TV is about 185W, laptops or VCRs draw less then 20W each. To know how much power you will need, just add up the watts and get an inverter that is a little larger. You can use two inverters.
A cigarette lighter socket gives you about 20A max (240W) so you may have to connect direct to the battery, or use another battery and charge it with the truck battery when you take a break. Use a fuse for safety, and thick wires.
When mounting the TVs, plan to strap them down good. Motorcycle tiedowns are cheap and work well. Place some cardboard or moving blankets between the TVs to protect the back side but don't block any vents.
Resolution of the TV and video quality doesn't really matter, since people will be viewing this from 20ft or more away. A "blem" TV with a few pixels out or broken cabinet will also work, and you can probably get them for almost nothing, check ebay.
Make words large and don't forget to have a few frames of white that flash to get attention.
Where to go: Ball games, local parks, traffic congestion areas, conventions, walmart parking lots, sidewalks with lots of foot traffic, malls, swapmeets, large events...
Check your local laws for any regulations.
Feel free to add your comments or suggestions to this thread.
Two LCDs would be better, one facing out to each side. Ask a fellow RP supporter to go along (with his TV).
You are emulating the larger sign trucks that look like these http://www.mobilemastertrucks.com/TruckModels/
A 37" LCD TV gives you a display of 32"W X 18"H (2.6 X 1.5 ft) they are about $600 at places like http://www.refurbdepot.com/ (some local places have 30 day return with no restocking charge, ideas?)
For video, if you have a laptop with video out or a USB to video out converter they use for business presentations. You can then use a bunch of pics displayed as a slideshow, see http://www.customsigngenerator.com/ or possibly create your own video using one of the videos at http://www.ronpauldvd.com/downloads.rp08 and your own video editing program.
To power the TVs you can use a 12V to 120V inverter, each TV is about 185W, laptops or VCRs draw less then 20W each. To know how much power you will need, just add up the watts and get an inverter that is a little larger. You can use two inverters.
A cigarette lighter socket gives you about 20A max (240W) so you may have to connect direct to the battery, or use another battery and charge it with the truck battery when you take a break. Use a fuse for safety, and thick wires.
When mounting the TVs, plan to strap them down good. Motorcycle tiedowns are cheap and work well. Place some cardboard or moving blankets between the TVs to protect the back side but don't block any vents.
Resolution of the TV and video quality doesn't really matter, since people will be viewing this from 20ft or more away. A "blem" TV with a few pixels out or broken cabinet will also work, and you can probably get them for almost nothing, check ebay.
Make words large and don't forget to have a few frames of white that flash to get attention.
Where to go: Ball games, local parks, traffic congestion areas, conventions, walmart parking lots, sidewalks with lots of foot traffic, malls, swapmeets, large events...
Check your local laws for any regulations.
Feel free to add your comments or suggestions to this thread.