Mounting Electronics Box

[MolarBoater]

Any suggestions on how to mount an aftermarket electronics box to an existing T-top? Here are some initial thoughts:

1) have custom welded brackets for mounting
2) stainless U-bolts and stainless backing plates with some rubber shock washers....HomeDepot!
3) aftermarket mounting kits? who/what/where?
4) Duct Tape




Thanks, Molar

[daveh]

ck out the elect. & plumbing departments.there is a wide selection of dodads for mounting pipe & conduit to flat surfaces.You may find something that works.there are J straps,U brackets & other devices for differant pipe sizes.Could use rubber electric tape under bracket to asorb shock. "when in doubt use duct tape" daveh

[MolarBoater]

Found an interesting thread although it is too vague and poor pics on making your own E-box, mounting & electronics install. Looks like he used 1/2" ss thru bolts with rubber washers/shock tabs inbetween the t-top pipe and box and used ss washers & nuts with nylon inserts to effectively "lock" things down securely. He also did this on a TRIUMPH boat, the guy from SHIPSHAPE tv series that is.
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/bo_enh...277814,00.html
Also, check out all these "DoItYourself Network/ShipShape" projects and maintenance projects.
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/episod...07_367,00.html

[MolarBoater]

Well, after studying the situation, I only have two 1 3/16 diameter aluminum tubes going from port to starboard that are 19.5" apart. to mount against. Thinking I can do two things easily:
1) use 4-6 ss U bolts
2) buy two TACO aluminum outrigger adjustable mounting plates and thru bolt.

Guess I am looking for ss U-bolts this weekend

[KevinC]

I remember watching that episode - as well as a previous one - where he custom made that electronics box.

Anyway, which aftermarket boxes have you been considering or chosen to go with. I've also been debating adding a ebox on the Factory T-Top when I pickup my boat this spring and online they all look the same .

[ILLOGICAL GGC]

i now wish i could take back having put the ebox on my 210cc. the boat came without a factory t-top and with a grab rail around the windshield which was really useful. i left the grab rail on whe i had the t-top made by a local fab shop; however, when i added the e-box the console would not hinge open by the the rail and i had to remove it. the grab rail served me better than the e-box which has become a catch all storage box. being not as affluent as some of my fellow members ,all my screens are so small i can't
put anything up there and be able to see'em
just another angle on the need as opposed to want of an e-box
GGC

[MolarBoater]

Different story with the 190 Bay, don't have to hinge open the console! Honestly, I will put a new ff/sounder in the ebox and probably leave my current one mounted on the console along with the cd/radio and maybe the vhf. I really want the dry storage area to place my notebook, camera, etc.

[k9reno]

I printed out the two episodes and plan to try making one of the boxes as a project. I an thinking about moving my vhf up there and it will give me storage for charts and the other stuff that blows around on my console. and of course my camera.

[MolarBoater]

I chose the small fiberglass electronics box (23"x24") from West Marine, it was on sale plus I had a $15 off coupon and now they offer free shipping like BoatersWorld so it ended up alot less than their retail (with a pair of free Chinese binoculars!). The internal usable surface for mounting is 19.5" though due to the recess for the plexiglass door and width of inside mounting washers against the fiberglass.
After measuring a few times with the 5/16" x 2" ss washers I will be using, and with the u bolts pushing the length of the mountable surface up by 3", can't use the u bolts b/c it greatly surpases the internal mounting length of the e-box.
The Taco bolt on mounting plates are @$170/ pair and I will go that route verses drilling holes in 1 3/8 tubing for 5/16" thru bolting or spending the same amount on having supports welded to the t-top. The plates will add strength to the t-top, give ideal mounting positions, give future add on options (radar etc), completely reversible with no holes in the t-top and have already used them when mounting sport slam outriggers and works well.
Also picked up an LED light I will mount along with the BlueSeas 6 position fuse block, now got to figure out how to fish the electrical down to the center console.
Let us know how the custom ebox comes along.
Molar

[Genelie]

Here is one sugestion, find a welder that can weld stainless steel, and or Aluminum. depending on what your t-top is made of. Have them weld in plates. see below. I am this spring relocating my light on the counsil, then after that is removed, it will be time to install the box. Also as you can see, I have allready ran power up there, all waiting for the box.