Garmin GTN650xi Support Bracket(s)?

[inktomi]

I'm in the home stretch of my avionics - time to get this (waaaay too heavy imo) GTN 650xi supported so it stops sagging and resting on other avionics. I think Garmin probably added some lead shielding inside this thing.

My first bracket attempt was out of a 2.5" strip, which was useful as a mockup at least. Using a 2.5" strip won't work because of edge clearance once the holes are match-drilled to the Garmin case. I'm going to redo them out of a 2.75" strip made from 0.050" aluminum. I thought I'd get feedback from you all before I spent another 2 hours on this...

You can see that in an RV-8 this barely fits. The only option is to make something that fits onto the sides, I think. One side could be made to work with some careful wire routing, the other side is wide open.

Here's the idea I had, but because of edge distance (and the fact that I used 0.030" aluminum), I'll have to redo these.

Is there a better way? What did you do? I'd love to see some examples!

 

[Carl Froehlich]

Can you add a piece of aluminum angle on each side to create a cantilever support? The angle would attach to the rear of the GTN-650 and to the panel itself toward the bottom. This however requires pre-planning to make sure you don’t mount something that interferes with how this angle runs. This is what I did on the RV-8.

The photo of your support option will work IF you use nutplates on the peice of aluminum that attaches to the next forward bulkhead AND you reverse the forward bend in the aluminum to go out from the tray (so you can get to the mounting screws). I did something like this on the RV-10. As option you could put the nutplates on the aluminum pieces and put the screws in via the baggage compartment. Do yourself a favor and have the GTN-650 tray and associated wiring come out with the panel.

Carl

 

[inktomi]

I like that idea - your brackets use a lot less material. Did you use 0.040" sheet? I have space for brackets like you designed.

 

[Carl Froehlich]

I like that idea - your brackets use a lot less material. Did you use 0.040" sheet? I have space for brackets like you designed.

I think I used 0.032” stock, but 0.040” would be fine as well.

Carl

 

[RBR]

Another option. The 'legs' attach to the lateral brace forward of the panel.

 

[inktomi]

It looks like what you did was cut the angle, bend it to fit, then riveted on a piece to lock the angle in place after? This might give better access for cables! Thank you!

 

[RBR]

100% Matt. Worked well.