mikemikelle
Active member
Built a new console to house some new farkles.
Due to the fact these items were going to be used at head height or above (and for lack of a better spot), decided to go overhead with the console.
New toys-
2 Golights- Spotlights with 360 deg. rotation/tilt -from a small joystick controller mounted inside
Intercom system- Found a craigslist buy on a used rally car setup. Works great, and the headsets are better than expected for hearing protection. Even brand new, these setups are only $250. A real bargain compared to some of the others (Rugged Radios are about 4x more)
Additional switches/relays/fuse panels- For future additions
Garmin 680T powered cradle mount via a Ram Mount- GPS Install and wired
Ram Mounts for phone/drinls- Got to have those
After installing a support frame between the windshield and roll bar with 1 1/4" square tube, I used some cardboard pieces to mock up the console size/shape. Once that was acceptable, transferred that over to some aluminum diamond plate for the box.
Welded on some small tabs, then drilled and tapped them so the side plates could be mounted with threaded nobs for easy removal/access.
Installed an aluminum interior shelf to serve as an attachment location for fuse panels/relays/etc.
The front panel is made out of smooth aluminum plate, so the switches/ controls have an easy mounting platform. left a bunch of additional space for future stuff if needed.
For power, going straight to the battery with a fused wire. Feeding those new fuse panels thru a relay that is switched with the ignition. Also installed a grounding stud within the box to simplify grounding of all the devices.
Now it's time to tear down, paint, and run the connecting wires. Stay tuned
Due to the fact these items were going to be used at head height or above (and for lack of a better spot), decided to go overhead with the console.
New toys-
2 Golights- Spotlights with 360 deg. rotation/tilt -from a small joystick controller mounted inside
Intercom system- Found a craigslist buy on a used rally car setup. Works great, and the headsets are better than expected for hearing protection. Even brand new, these setups are only $250. A real bargain compared to some of the others (Rugged Radios are about 4x more)
Additional switches/relays/fuse panels- For future additions
Garmin 680T powered cradle mount via a Ram Mount- GPS Install and wired
Ram Mounts for phone/drinls- Got to have those
After installing a support frame between the windshield and roll bar with 1 1/4" square tube, I used some cardboard pieces to mock up the console size/shape. Once that was acceptable, transferred that over to some aluminum diamond plate for the box.
Welded on some small tabs, then drilled and tapped them so the side plates could be mounted with threaded nobs for easy removal/access.
Installed an aluminum interior shelf to serve as an attachment location for fuse panels/relays/etc.
The front panel is made out of smooth aluminum plate, so the switches/ controls have an easy mounting platform. left a bunch of additional space for future stuff if needed.
For power, going straight to the battery with a fused wire. Feeding those new fuse panels thru a relay that is switched with the ignition. Also installed a grounding stud within the box to simplify grounding of all the devices.
Now it's time to tear down, paint, and run the connecting wires. Stay tuned