Center Mount sun shades/camera mount

[Yetti]

As much as I like shade tree engineering....  u clamps where you have to look at them seems so wrong.   There seems like there would be room to mount a camera.   So last weekend a couple of measurements were made.  The center post lives at a 40 degree angle.  the 75 F has the factory sun visors so there is a nice pattern to go from.

Some 2" bar stock and 3/4" round stock and 1/8" stainless rod were procured today.

Here are the pictures of the factory visors

 

And a close up of the mount.  There is a threaded tab welded to the cromoly frame that the mount screws in to.

 

Will probably use adel clamps to attach the tinted poly sheet. They should hold better than the plastic from the factory,

If you have the tabs and looking for the hardware to attach, that will be the first project.  Recreate what is there.

The second project will be to convert the 2' bar stock into a visor/camera mount.    Using the stainless rod bent at a right angle out of the top of the mount should give good articulation.

The camera is going to be more of a hard mount.

Rustoleum Satin Nickle paint on the panels if you are curious.  

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[RLCarter]

shade tree engineering is some of the best in my opinion, all that "BOOK" stuff doesn't get in the way of the design.....

[Yetti]

The first picture on top is the stock Mooney supplied sun visor for the internal tab mount.   The bottom is the Yetti made.  Still need some clamps to affix the poly carbonate.  What is interesting is the Mooney parts are very much hand made.   The poly carbonate is not really square.

 

The is the working model of the center mount.  Made from red oak (thought I would use wood vs. cutting up the $50.00 piece of alum stock).  The long bar is the camera mount.

[RLCarter]

I'm a little confused, are you just making a new center piece so you can mount a camera or are the visors going to mount there as well?

[Yetti]

Yes.  The mount will be designed to mount a camera and/or to mount visors.  Thinking about putting ability to mount two cameras.  Left and right.

If people want a flexible arm either center mount or factory tab mount.That could also be an option

Also have an idea for a flexible arm with a sliding piece of poly carbonate

Made the patterns for the factory poly carbonate if anyone is in need.

 

[Yetti]

First mockup fitting of the center mount.  The rods are too long which makes sense.  Also I am wondering if they need to swing out.  The camera mount will not work as designed.  Need to go with a piece of angle alum.  The adel clamps work although a bit industrial.  These are some old ones off the injector lines.

 

 

 

[MyNameIsNobody]

This looks like a fun and functional project.  My question is: This is a certified airframe.  Is this "legit" to be dabbing your own stuff/installing/using in your plane?

Don't get me wrong, I am cheering you on from sidelines, but wondering if you get ramp checked if this will get you in trouble?

I still wonder if I am "legal with my 696 in a dock on co-pilot side of panel AND if my co-pilot yoke clamp for my I-Pad are "O.K."...But I still have both and they BOTH improve safety in the plane...

Have fun!

[cnoe]

First mockup fitting of the center mount.  The rods are too long which makes sense.  Also I am wondering if they need to swing out.  The camera mount will not work as designed.  Need to go with a piece of angle alum.  The adel clamps work although a bit industrial.  These are some old ones off the injector lines.

 

 

 

That looks great; any chance you could fabricate a set for me?

And I have one small suggestion... if you clipped off that tie-wrap it would make it easier to flip up the visor.

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[Yetti]

The final mounting block will be out of aluminum.    Best I can tell depending on mood of the FAA for cameras (There is an AC) and GPS as long as no tools are used to mount it, it should be OK.   The alum block will be clamped on with Stainless thumb screws.  If the inspector insists, undo the screws and take it off.

 

 

[Yetti]

The one thing I am kind of not liking is when the visors flip up they point straight back since they are running into the headliner. Trying to keep it simple.  The other route to take is make the visors articulated on an arm and use the block to mount the arm to.  When I get it figured out I can make some up if people are interested.

[MyNameIsNobody]

There is another thread with the side-mounted later type visors on an articulating mount.  You two should collaborate.  I like the idea of them articulating and NOT pointing straight back.  That is a no-go for me.  I am interested.  Mine are just getting OLD...

[N601RX]

I'm working on a clamp on side bracket similar to the welded tab for the pre 68' models that didn't have the factory welded tab.  It's going to take a few trips back and forth to the plane to get the curvature of the hole through the center of the model correct. I have the 1/4 front window and there isn't much room between the window and bar.

[DonMuncy]

On ‎3‎/‎13‎/‎2016 at 6:55 PM, MyNameIsNobody said:

There is another thread with the side-mounted later type visors on an articulating mount.  You two should collaborate.  I like the idea of them articulating and NOT pointing straight back.  That is a no-go for me.  I am interested.  Mine are just getting OLD...

I am the one who started the other thread and am making the "side mount" visors. Because the mountings are on opposite ends, there is little overlap on design. After I get the ones made for the people who wan them, maybe I can turn my mind to working on a design for the center mount guys.

[Yetti]

Kind of.   Since the center mount is kind of turning into the "Center mount universal mounting block"  I would be easy to put a 10-32 threaded hole that would accept Don's visors.   Like the rods I made Don's may be a too long with the difference being one goes in the frame of the window and the factory/Don's go outside the frame of the window.   My first design flaw was the thought of center swinging the visors.  There is no real need. The second flaw was since they are inside the frame the only way to swing is up and that creates a visor straight back as it hits on the frame.  Cessna flap situation....

Next thought is flexible shaft mounted to the center block.   I will go with the camera mount first since that is what I need.

[gsxrpilot]

7 hours ago, Yetti said:

I will go with the camera mount first since that is what I need.

I'm confused. What are you trying to film with the camera mount? Will it be facing out the windscreen or back at the pilot? I've finally settled on an internal camera mount attached to the overhead speaker (which is useless). It faces forward and gets the forward view out the windscreen, but also gets the panel and some of the side windows as well.  I'll get pics posted on Wed when I'm back at the plane.

[Yetti]

Both.  If I add two camera mounts one on each side, then it could hold a forward and rear facing camera.  My head takes up most of the upper space of the cockpit.... not saying that I have a big head.

It tried a Joby camera mount large and small, but the center support is just not that big

 

 

[MyNameIsNobody]

What's your hat size?  We'll be the judge of that...

 

 

[Marauder]

This photo is living proof you can fit a Yetti inside a Mooney!

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[Yetti]

For reference the teenager next to me is sitting on a boat cushion.   On the way to pick up the plane the transition instructor said " you know you bought a Mooney"   On the way back he looked over at me and said "Looks like you fit"

[Marauder]

For reference the teenager next to me is sitting on a boat cushion.   On the way to pick up the plane the transition instructor said " you know you bought a Mooney"   On the way back he looked over at me and said "Looks like you fit"

Let me guess. >6'7" & 290? I'm 6'4" and around 235. My brother is 6'6" and 340. No problem fitting either.

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[Yetti]

6" 9" and 240.  Most of it is in legs.  In that other thread where they were talking about being able to reach the baggage door to check...  no problem.   If I tried I could probably snag something off the hat rack.  39" sleeve shirts are hard to find.

[gsxrpilot]

As promised, pictures of my inside-the-cockpit camera mount. Regarding mounting inside, you name it, I've tried it. But sometimes the best solution is the simplest solution. This mount covers up the ceiling speaker, but who uses that anyway. I'm using the boxtop mount that comes with every GoPro and usually gets thrown away. I used some velcro strips on the speaker grill as well as on the bottom of the mount, that keeps it from moving around. Then just reattach the trim and it almost looks factory. Also, easy to remove/reinstall the camera with one hand, in-flight, while strapped in your seat.

I'll post pictures from the camera shortly. But here is the mount.

[Yetti]

UMB V0.73   Universal Mounting block with test camera mount

 

 

 

Don't get excited about the screws... the thumb screws are with the plane

Edited March 24, 2016 by Yetti

[gsxrpilot]

Here are some snap shots from my speaker mounted GoPro camera. I think the mount position/view is just about perfect for interior shots. I'll get some video together and post that as well. There is almost no noticeable vibration or movement in the camera. Some of the shots are in the sun and some descending through the clouds at dusk so you can see the effect of different lighting conditions.

[N601RX]

Make 3 D model, print 3D model, test fit, alter model and reprint until happy then machine from aluminum.

Heck, printed part is plenty strong to use.