Mounting electronics

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Wallens05, Oct 21, 2012.

  1. Wallens05

    Wallens05 Light Load Member

    273
    88
    Aug 4, 2012
    Columbus OH
    0
    Hey what's up everyone I have a questions as to we're on the dash and the window do you mount ur electronics if you could include a picture to show that would be great if not just say what you use to mount it I'm looking for ways to mount my cellphone iPhone 4 and my GPS when I get it so any and all help would be awesome
     
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  3. handlebar

    handlebar Heavy Load Member

    Hail, fellow Traveling man.
    I don't have any pics, as I don't drive a big rig. But I'm retired from public safety, and I work as a two-way tech. I'm used to having to consider the questions you pose, and these are a couple of points to remember as you figure out what will work for you.
    My old career makes me think "safety first" from the standpoint of A) where things can fly during a very fast, violent deceleration; B) how any umbilical cords to devices get routed around driving controls (steering wheel, shifter, radio mic, switches you often go to whilst driving); and C) whether lamps & displays are dimmable if you drive at night and where those devices are with respect to your sight line.

    As an aside, I noted recently that California has passed a law forbidding the attachment of *anything* to any window in a moving vehicle. Spoilsports!
    And my Sirius receiver that mounted on the windshield caused a couple of traffic stops in states that outlawed radar detectors because it closely resembles them. But I digress...

    Suction cup mounts fail when you can least afford them to. Good suction cup mounts last longer before they do so, although you can extend their life with some routine maintenance.

    Those things all taken into consideration, and from time spent driving emergency vehicles and piloting small airplanes without a flight director / autopilot, my best suggestion would be to consider where your eyes spend most of their time, and how often you sweep your field of vision, and how far ahead you're looking. Which devices do you need to see most often whilst in motion? Airplanes have the magnetic compass up the center top or bottom of the windscreen (well, it's on the panel or headliner, but in line with the windscreen).
    If your GPS has replaced the mag compass, and you already have road signs to tell you what general direction you're going anyway, what's the most important device you need to see, most often?
    I've gotten to where I mount my radios in a stack mount in my van. Partially that's because I can operate them all by feel, and also because it has airbags that I have to be careful not to block. Cell goes in a gooseneck mount against the center column, up high where I can see the caller ID with a glance to figure out whether to ignore it or pull over and stop to take a call.
    All the cables go through split loom, available from any auto parts or stereo shop, to keep them out of the way, and they're secured with cable clamps to the side of the console/dashboard until they terminate. They have no opportunity to get tangled in anything. Antenna cables (and there are a lot) to the devices that use them all come down either the "A-pillars" or the rear body panels.

    That's kinda all the advice I've got, but I also realize it's way too general in scope. Hopefully others will chime in with specifics that will be of more assistance.

    May your road stay level, Brother.
    Handlebar
    Kenai #11 F&AM, Soldotna, Alaska
     
    RALPHMANBEARPONY Thanks this.
  4. Wallens05

    Wallens05 Light Load Member

    273
    88
    Aug 4, 2012
    Columbus OH
    0
    Thank you brother

    I will keep all of that I'm mind have have put a lot of thought into what type and brand as well as placement I most definitely want the least amount of wire hanging around thanking about a goose neck on the dash or suction cup on the dash for my phone but not sure yet lol


    Steven
    Goodale #372 F&AM
    Columbus Oh
     
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