Strength of Revenge Instrument Panel/Housing Interface

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Author Topic:   Strength of Revenge Instrument Panel/Housing Interface

Peter posted 03-10-2002 11:53 AM ET (US)
I have been thinking about flush mounting an ICOM 402 VHF radio in the aluminum instrument panel of my 1986 Revenge 22. The panel is joined to the instrument housing by about 8 to 10 short screws. Because the radio is much heavier than the total weight of all of the instruments in the panel and its weight would be completely supported by the short screws in the panel/housing joint, I'm concerned that the joint isn't strong enough to support the weight of the radio, particularly when subjected to rough seas.
Therefore, I'm wondering whether anybody with a 1980+ Revenge has ever flush mounted a VHF radio in the aluminum instrument panel? If so, what has been the experience with the instrument panel/housing joint?

whaler22 posted 03-10-2002 12:40 PM ET (US)
Peter,
I'd love a pic of your instrument panel, if possible. My 1980 Revenge instrument panel is all wood. Currently under reconstruction, I'd like some ideas of layout. My VHF was on a shelf in the starboard console under the steering wheel.
David
Peter posted 03-10-2002 01:24 PM ET (US)
David,
I'll send a pic a soon as I put the panel back together. Like yours, my old VHF radio was also located on the shelf in the starboard compartment below the steering wheel. I have found that it's not the most convenient location. To be somewhat usable underway I had to pass the mike connector down through an opening that was drilled in the top of the console and use a remote speaker. Although the radio was usable because the microphone rested on the top of the console, the only way to control the radio functions (channel changing, volume, squelch, etc.) was through access via the console door.
I'm looking for improved functional control and one possible way is flush mounting the new radio. The other is to use the optional remote CommandMic which provides nearly full functional control of the radio except the DSC function. There's a lot of space on the top of the console in front of the instrument panel, but I prefer not to clutter it up too much or partially obstruct the view to the instruments when sitting.
jimh posted 03-10-2002 08:44 PM ET (US)
Another concern about mounting the radio on the REVENGE instrument panel: the effect of the speaker magnets on the ship's compass.
I (currently) have my radio ounted external to the console. I still have not found the best spot for it.
I have an ICOM radio which is a decent match for the tan gelcoat of a Whaler.
My Revenge is a little odd in that I don't have binacle mounted engine controls. If I had them, then I would but the radio over on the side (where on my boat the side mounted controls are located).
It does look much cooler, however, when you have all the electronics flush mounted. I agree with that idea, but I haven't taken a drill to my instrument panel yet!
--jimh
Peter posted 03-11-2002 08:56 AM ET (US)
Good thought Jim! The magnetic interference potential had not really occurred to me since these days I tend to use the cartographic GPS much more than compass almost to the point where I have forgotten about this historically important instrument. However, in the event that one day the GPS system should fail and I may find myself relying on the old paper charts and compass again and I do not want to compromise its accuracy.
If the interface between the instrument panel and the housing is strong enough to support flush mounting the radio, then it would be in the top starboard corner region of my panel. The compass is bit toward the port side and forward by about one foot. I figure that the radio speaker on the front of the radio panel would be on the outside of the instrument panel about six inches from top starboard corner and about a foot sternward of the compass. I'll have to hold the radio in that location and see if it has any influence on the compass.

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Author	Topic: Strength of Revenge Instrument Panel/Housing Interface
Peter	posted 03-10-2002 11:53 AM ET (US) I have been thinking about flush mounting an ICOM 402 VHF radio in the aluminum instrument panel of my 1986 Revenge 22. The panel is joined to the instrument housing by about 8 to 10 short screws. Because the radio is much heavier than the total weight of all of the instruments in the panel and its weight would be completely supported by the short screws in the panel/housing joint, I'm concerned that the joint isn't strong enough to support the weight of the radio, particularly when subjected to rough seas. Therefore, I'm wondering whether anybody with a 1980+ Revenge has ever flush mounted a VHF radio in the aluminum instrument panel? If so, what has been the experience with the instrument panel/housing joint?
whaler22	posted 03-10-2002 12:40 PM ET (US) Peter, I'd love a pic of your instrument panel, if possible. My 1980 Revenge instrument panel is all wood. Currently under reconstruction, I'd like some ideas of layout. My VHF was on a shelf in the starboard console under the steering wheel. David
Peter	posted 03-10-2002 01:24 PM ET (US) David, I'll send a pic a soon as I put the panel back together. Like yours, my old VHF radio was also located on the shelf in the starboard compartment below the steering wheel. I have found that it's not the most convenient location. To be somewhat usable underway I had to pass the mike connector down through an opening that was drilled in the top of the console and use a remote speaker. Although the radio was usable because the microphone rested on the top of the console, the only way to control the radio functions (channel changing, volume, squelch, etc.) was through access via the console door. I'm looking for improved functional control and one possible way is flush mounting the new radio. The other is to use the optional remote CommandMic which provides nearly full functional control of the radio except the DSC function. There's a lot of space on the top of the console in front of the instrument panel, but I prefer not to clutter it up too much or partially obstruct the view to the instruments when sitting.
jimh	posted 03-10-2002 08:44 PM ET (US) Another concern about mounting the radio on the REVENGE instrument panel: the effect of the speaker magnets on the ship's compass. I (currently) have my radio ounted external to the console. I still have not found the best spot for it. I have an ICOM radio which is a decent match for the tan gelcoat of a Whaler. My Revenge is a little odd in that I don't have binacle mounted engine controls. If I had them, then I would but the radio over on the side (where on my boat the side mounted controls are located). It does look much cooler, however, when you have all the electronics flush mounted. I agree with that idea, but I haven't taken a drill to my instrument panel yet! --jimh
Peter	posted 03-11-2002 08:56 AM ET (US) Good thought Jim! The magnetic interference potential had not really occurred to me since these days I tend to use the cartographic GPS much more than compass almost to the point where I have forgotten about this historically important instrument. However, in the event that one day the GPS system should fail and I may find myself relying on the old paper charts and compass again and I do not want to compromise its accuracy. If the interface between the instrument panel and the housing is strong enough to support flush mounting the radio, then it would be in the top starboard corner region of my panel. The compass is bit toward the port side and forward by about one foot. I figure that the radio speaker on the front of the radio panel would be on the outside of the instrument panel about six inches from top starboard corner and about a foot sternward of the compass. I'll have to hold the radio in that location and see if it has any influence on the compass.