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Crazy Idea - mounting cable/AV boxes outside house

2K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  Scuba_Dave 
#1 ·
I can't find any info on this idea anywhere online, so maybe it is just that crazy. I am looking to move my home theater setup from the basement to our second floor where we spend 95% of our time now that we have a baby. I'm struggling with where to mount the cable, DVD and audio boxes. There is not attic space above that part of the house since its a lofted ceiling. I can't go down since its a finished basement.

So my thought was, since the TV will be mounted on an exterior wall, why not build out a weatherproof outside box to store the devices? I have an RF remote, so control is not an issue (except for the DVD player, but perhaps I could build an access door from the inside.

I have no concerns about what this looks like from the outside since its a wooded area of my yard and nobody sees that side of the house (its the same side we have the AC compressor and oil tank on).

I'm not sure this will be worth the trouble but just curious as to why this would be a bad idea - moisture maybe? Anyone ever see anything like this?
 
#3 ·
They way my house is setup (its a bi-level) there are no closets in that room. The nearest location would be the attic which would be on the opposite wall with no easy way to get the cabling over there. I would be looking at probably a 30' HDMI cable when going up to the loft ceiling and then across the length of the room into the attic.
 
#4 ·
what about the closet in an adjacent room?

why not just put the stuff on a bookshelf in same room?

To do what you suggest, I assume you'll have to cut out a stud or two to make enough room for your equipment. It's not difficult to do ( google instructions on framing a window opening), but neither is fishing wires up or down a wall.

don't take this the wrong way, but if you think running a couple cables through your attic is too difficult, are you really willing and able to cut a hole in a load bearing exterior wall, frame it so it properly carries the load of your roof , then do all the exterior work to make it weathertight so you won't ruin your equipment and compromise the structrual integrity of your entire house?
 
#5 ·
Well, what I should have mentioned in my OP was that there used to be an in-wall AC unit there. When the previous owners put in central air, they closed it up. So there is already an opening framed out behind the sheetrock.

This isn't my #1 option but just something that occurred to me - I couldn't find anything online about it so I thought I'd ask.
 
#6 ·
Ok, that does change things a bit. But personally, I still think I'd just put it in a cabinet somewhere in the room, or elsewhere in the house. especially since you have already invested in the RF remote

How close was the A/C to where the TV will go? How do you plan to run wires ( surface or in-wall) Where is the power source? Those A/C units usally had a 220 plug a foot or so away, so I assume you'll convert that to 120v and run a powerstrip cord from there into the A/C "nook"? If so i think a cabinet on the floor would give you a much cleaner look.
 
#7 ·
No problem

I think the answer you're looking for is that it's not a problem. Insulate it, keep the moisture out, and MAKE SURE it can breath to keep the temperatures down. The air need to circulate. Heat is your enemy. Put your surround sound receiver above all other components as it runs very hot.
 
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