Recessed Wall Mount for Rasberry Pi Google Calendar

This 'able takes Piney's "Rasberry Pi Wall Mounted Google Calendar" and shows steps to mount the screen recessed in the wall. I found that any mount - even a low-profile mount - put the monitor too far out into the walking space. Since I wanted mine in a hallway area, I needed to recess it. Since I was already going to be making a hole to pull power, it seemed only logical to cut a bigger hole and recess.

Step 1: First: the Hole

I started off by making sure there weren't any air ducts in the area I wanted to mount it. I did this by checking out the wall space above and below the floor I mounted the calendar on. Upstairs from it was a floor (not a wall), and downstairs in the basement there was a beam carrying the middle of the house, with electric wires snaked through. I was good to go.

I measured the dimensions of the back of the monitor - I didn't want to put the entire monitor in the wall due to its cooling requirements. I then carefully cut the drywall with a knife. Once I had the hole cut, I added wood bracing inside the wall - in order to get the wood to fit across the stud space, I cut the corners off the first wood piece so that I could knock it into place and screw to the studs. Then I screwed a thinner piece that gave me just the right spacing for the flat panel mount so that the monitor would be the right distance from the wall.

Step 2: Painting the Inside

If you cut a hole in the wall that will be visible later, it's best to get some flat black spray paint and paint the inside of the wall cavity. I made sure I pulled any electrical wires first so I didn't get my hands full of paint later.

Step 3: Wire and Attach LCD Mount

I won't go into electrical wiring in this Instructable. Needless to say, follow code, common sense and always make sure power is off to the circuit you are extending. I pulled power from a nearby outlet and ran it to a box mounted inside the opening. I used a USB-wired outlet to eliminate the power adapter from the Pi.

I also added some drywall J-channel to finish off the raw drywall edges.

Step 4: Mounted

Once done, I plugged in the Raspberry Pi, rested it on top of my mounting blocks, and attached the display to the LCD mount. Simple and easy.

Comments

[muddog15]

In most houses, you'll have a draft inside the wall, providing adequate cooling for your screen. I'd flush mount it if it was mine.

[chrischampion]

The bay's in most walls are sealed top and bottom. I don't know how much draft they'd provide.

[Scruffy_Nerfherder]

Stellar job and end result! I'm just curious, why not mount the unit more recessed to give it a flushed appearance? I'l be doing this same project with a 23" LED unit that will probably project about 6" from the wall. I'm considering doing the same thing as you and was interested in your input.

[chrischampion]

The main reason is because I had an old (Craigslist $20) screen that got hot and I wanted the hot air to go outside the wall instead of inside.

[controlmypad]

Nice project, I did my magnetic tablet mount for the same purpose in what looks to be a similar location:

http://www.controlmypad.com/projects.html

If you are concerned about building code you may want to cut some drywall to finish off the side walls and open areas of the pocket to provide fire protection and insulation.

[Sneak85]

+10 for properly placing a electrical outlet behind the monitor rather than fishing a power supply cord through the wall (against electrical code). My hat is off to you sir.

[Danger is my middle name]

It turned out great! Painting the inside of the wall is a great idea, too.