BMV-702 and Pole Mount

T

ThumbsUp

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I wanted to get a few CBrat recommendations on good install locations for a BMV-702 display before I drill a dash hole. Don't want any regrets after the hole is drilled :shock:

Does this look like a good spot?
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _photo.php

Second question: I am installing an autopilot and bluetooth wireless remote, both have GPS pucks that I would like to mount to the roof rack. Very excited about this feature as it will allow me to steer the boat via bluetooth remote while fishing. What is everyone using for a pole and mount to roof rack?

Picture:
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _photo.php
 
My 602 is in approximately the same place. However, I would check it with the wheel in place. You might find the wheel blocks your view of the display or comfortable access to the display. Being right handed I put mine on the panel to the right of the wheel.

My GPS receiver is mounted flat on the roof. It is out of the way and does not affect/interfere with the boat cover (left of the GoLight).

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?full ... _photo.php
 
ssobol has a good comment in mounting the GPS puck flat onto the roof. It will allow a boat cover, if you want, and it will also be out of the radar path, which can be an issue with interference to the GPS function.

Might also consider just putting the puck on the shelf above the front windows. I have 2 up there and the work fine in that position.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

You can see the Raymarnive puck just above the brow here.
January_2010_344.sized.jpg
 
If you're not sure on the Victron, you could put it temporarily someplace else for awhile. I had a (square) hole left over from the ex-Wallas control, so I got a $2 blank switchplate cover, made the round hole in that, and mounted it there (just a quickie job in a campground prior to launching).

It's fairly handy where I have it (can operate it from aft dinette seat), but I may still mount it up by the helm in future so I could also see it when underway at the helm. One reason I held off is that I didn't yet have trim tabs (then) or a windlass and so I knew I'd be putting other things up at the helm and wanted them to take priority arrangement. I did pick up a teak blank switchplate cover a while back, which I could use to cover the ex-Wallas-control hole if/when I move the Victron elsewhere.

The Victron head is fairly easy to move since it's just one Cat 5 type click cable.

Not trying to talk you out of the helm mounting position; just mentioning an alternative if you are unsure, or may soon be adding other things at the helm. 'course you may not have another disused cutout as I did.

Victron_mount.jpg
 
Might also consider just putting the puck on the shelf above the front windows. I have 2 up there and the work fine in that position
Click to expand...

The shelf above the helm inside the cabin? I was considering this location but was concerned the GPS signal may not penetrate through the cabin roof. This would be the easiest install by far :)

Mounting the GPS puck flat on the roof looks good would be easy too.

:thup
 
ThumbsUp":1dz3robr said:
Might also consider just putting the puck on the shelf above the front windows. I have 2 up there and the work fine in that position
Click to expand...

The shelf above the helm inside the cabin? I was considering this location but was concerned the GPS signal may not penetrate through the cabin roof. This would be the easiest install by far :)

Mounting the GPS puck flat on the roof looks good would be easy too.

:thup
Click to expand...
There's no problem with the GPS penetrating the roof. In my 22, I had the GPS puck on the inside. In my Tomcat I did also until I bought units with the receiver built in (e.g. no antenna). All work fine inside the cabin.
 
I did the same with the GPS antenna for my Garmin (older) chartplotter. I tested it on top of and inside the cabin top and it seemed to work the same. Because mine was sort of like an unstable mushroom, and because height on the shelf is limited, I fabbed up a fiberglass stand for it. I'll see if I can find a photo. and come back and add.

Okay, I don't have any photos of my "mold," but here is the base just after I made it, and then when I taped it in place before securing it with a screw.

IMG_0471_2.jpg

IMG_0470.jpg

IMG_0474.jpg

Fancy, eh? :mrgreen: Well I did make it at a marina campground :D

Basically what I did was this:

1) Take a flat board, and cover it in clear packing tape. This was my work base.

2) Take a 1" tube (same size as OD of "mushroom stem" of antenna) and wrap that in clear packing tape.

3) Stand it up vertically on the work base and then I think I used some putty to make a little worm-shaped fillet around the base. This held up the tube plus made a little fillet for the corner. Taped over that too.

4) Wrapped in fiberglass and let it mostly cure.

5) Took it off the mold and cut it to size (height/base), plus sawed a slit from top to bottom (because my GPS antenna base and cord were in one piece, I had to be able to open the base to get it on and to provide a "mouse hole" for the cord). Then while the fiberglass was still slightly flexible I put it on the antenna and let it set up fully.

6) Drilled one hole in base for later screw.

7) Taped it in place on the shelf to test location.

8 ) Location worked great so I put the screw in to hold it in place (after photos). Totally out of the way and works great.

It almost took longer to type this than to do it, especially since I was not going for something "retail beautiful." (Obviously!)
 
If you want to mount it under the deck or on top of the shelf you could use this mount.
image.jpg1_zpsb9gyahpn.jpg

It can be mounted right side up or upside down.

On edit it doesn't look like your antenna is a Garmin so they do make a mount with the threads.

image.jpg1_zpsygbodwzz.jpg

They make them in stainless or plastic.
 
Well that would have been easy :wink: In my case I was at Wahweap, had fiberglass, and wanted to get it off the galley counter (which is where Three Rivers mounted them :? ) before launching. But the stainless mount looks really nice. I wonder where the wire comes out? My original mount was a bit like that - albeit about 6" tall - and I think the wire came out the bottom, through a hole in the galley counter - which might not be so great on the radio shelf. That said, I suppose one could drill it or etc.
 
Good point. I didn't have any vertical space to spare; but it might work perfectly for ThumbsUp. Certainly looks nice.

(Although I've thought about shimming down the radio shelf for more space up there for various things.)

I actually don't have that chartplotter on the boat now, although I still have the antenna there just in case I want to reinstall the Garmin.
 
FYI, my Raymarine GPS looked just like Sunbeam's Garmin, and was about 4-6" tall too. Nice thing, and I bet this one does the same. There were three screws up from underneath, that separated the top dome from the stand, leaving just the top, which is about 1 inch high, and the wire comes out of the center.

The pucks I have on the shelf, are setting in there, taped into position. Now screws and work fine. the one mounted on the roof, is forward, so the hole goes down through the brow, in front of the windshield. Has worked perfect since install.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

January_2010_344.sized.jpg
 
Thank you Sunbeam, Harvey, Jkidd, Rogerbum and everyone else! You have given me direction for this installation which is very helpful. I have decided to mount the Lowrance pucks on the shelf above the helm. It will be an easy install and out of sight. And.........I don't have to drill a hole through the boat :D

:thup
 
I had one wire tied to the top of the battery in the lazerette for a while until I bridged the Lowrance and Garmin Nmea 2000 networks together.
 
Harvey, I wonder.... maybe mine would have come apart like that too. I did that back in early days and maybe wasn't quite as bold about trying to take it apart further. Or maybe it doesn't come apart .... I can't remember how hard I tried. Good thing to check for though in low clearance situations.
 
I think it would have, but you would have to check on your own. I had help. Roger (Dreamer) had done the same thing so knew the trick.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

DSC_4180_1.thumb.jpg
 
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