Anyone suggest an instrument pod that doesn't cost almost as much as the instrument?

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maby

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I want to fit an autopilot controller at the wheel and I've dug myself a hole by having fitted the biggest plotter I could with the result that there is no more space in the main instrument pod. The obvious answer is to fit a small extension pod either on top of the current pod, or bolted to the hand rail on one side of the binnacle or the other. Trouble is that all the pods I can see are ridiculously expensive - I mean, it's just a watertight plastic box with a stainless mounting bracket - £300 or more???

Anyone got any good suggestions? I had assumed that someone like Force 4 would have an own-brand alternative, but all the chandleries just seem to stock Scanpod!
 
I saw some clever bod in PBO a couple of years ago use a suitable tupperware container that was painted white on the inside and then modified .

It looked quite good from the photos that were posted.

cost less than £10 too
 
Oscarpop said:
I saw some clever bod in PBO a couple of years ago use a suitable tupperware container that was painted white on the inside and then modified .

It looked quite good from the photos that were posted.

cost less than £10 too
Click to expand...

Hmmm, I guess it would work - the wife will probably complain - both at the loss of her tupperware box and the bodged appearance on the boat - but she will also complain at the thought of spending £300 on what is in effect a tupperware box!
 
maby said:
Hmmm, I guess it would work - the wife will probably complain - both at the loss of her tupperware box and the bodged appearance on the boat - but she will also complain at the thought of spending £300 on what is in effect a tupperware box!
Click to expand...

I know it sounds shabby as hell, but at the time it looked good ( in photos). I guess that you can get some fairly hard and reasonably plain tupperware containers that when painted white on the inside would look like pods.

Obviously if you are gaffer taping a batman lunchbox to your helm, the result will not pass inspection, but for £10 its probably worth a punt.
 
maby said:
I want to fit an autopilot controller at the wheel and I've dug myself a hole by having fitted the biggest plotter I could with the result that there is no more space in the main instrument pod. The obvious answer is to fit a small extension pod either on top of the current pod, or bolted to the hand rail on one side of the binnacle or the other. Trouble is that all the pods I can see are ridiculously expensive - I mean, it's just a watertight plastic box with a stainless mounting bracket - £300 or more???

Anyone got any good suggestions? I had assumed that someone like Force 4 would have an own-brand alternative, but all the chandleries just seem to stock Scanpod!
Click to expand...

Slightly off track;- I need to accommodate a Raymarine E80 plotter at the helm.

Although the front is waterproof, the connectors etc at the back are not.

The solution seems to be a SS sink. Penguin tell me they can supply without a drain hole.
 
Graham_Wright said:
Slightly off track;- I need to accommodate a Raymarine E80 plotter at the helm.

Although the front is waterproof, the connectors etc at the back are not.

The solution seems to be a SS sink. Penguin tell me they can supply without a drain hole.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, bit bulky I would have thought...
 
You could always mould your own from GRP; follow the instructional videos either here or on youtube. Basically you need to mock up the shape you want using plywood and plaster, then use that to make a mould. Even a large pod won't cost more than £100.
 
penfold said:
You could always mould your own from GRP; follow the instructional videos either here or on youtube. Basically you need to mock up the shape you want using plywood and plaster, then use that to make a mould. Even a large pod won't cost more than £100.
Click to expand...

I had wondered about that - trouble is time - we want it all fitted and working by early July and I'm not sure I have enough free time available between now and then to do a decent job of it. I'm wondering at the moment about doing a fairly quick job using a Maplins plastic instrument case sealed with plenty of sikaflex, then doing something better before the bad weather sets in.
 
Try one of the standard IP rated connector boxes, they come in various sizes, and you can fit suitable cable glands to suit.

if you go down the DIY route, cheap tupperware type boxes make excellent moulds for fibreglass, I've even heard of Ice Cream tubs being used.
 
Oscarpop said:
I know it sounds shabby as hell, but at the time it looked good ( in photos). I guess that you can get some fairly hard and reasonably plain tupperware containers that when painted white on the inside would look like pods.

Obviously if you are gaffer taping a batman lunchbox to your helm, the result will not pass inspection, but for £10 its probably worth a punt.
Click to expand...

:D
 
iainbluk said:
What about the NASA clipper pod? If its still made?
Click to expand...

Looked at those - but they only seem to stock double pods that are pre-cut - not a lot of use if you are fitting a single instrument.

I mentioned it to the wife who opted for the £300 Scanpod, so I guess that's what it will be... It will be polished every week at that price!
 
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