Simple iPad mounting solution

Any DA40 related topics

Moderators: Rick, Lance Murray

Post Reply
User avatar
Lou
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 370
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2015 1:39 pm
First Name: Louis
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: CGXLO
Airports: CZVL
Has thanked: 118 times
Been thanked: 115 times

Simple iPad mounting solution

Post by Lou »

I have been thinking about how best to make a permanent mount for an iPad in the DA40. I don't like drilling or disassembling anything unnecessarily. This simple solution dawned on me. It uses the existing dashboard mounting screws.

I worked out the dimensions on a drafting program. Despite the dashboard being mounted with 4-40 SAE bolts, the basic dimensions are metric. The end holes are 119 mm apart. Top and bottom holes are 36 mm apart. Laying this out I calculated that the Ram mount holes should be 43.6 mm from one of the end holes on each of the bars.

The bar stock is 1/4" by 1/2" 6061-T6 aluminum. I did not lay it up very precisely, just by eye. Instead of a no. 30 hole for the 4-40 bolts, I used a no. 29 bit to give a little extra play room. The bars are tapped to receive the 10-32 mounting bolts for the Ram ball bracket.

To mount it, simply remove the existing 1/2" 4-40 bolts and substitute 3/4" or 7/8" 4-40 bolts. Use two 3/8" 10-32 bolts to mount the bracket (Canadians will recognize the Robertson head in the photos :) ) Leave it all a bit loose until you have got everything aligned, then tighten up.

I have a 4" Ram extension bar, but a 6" would be better - it would get the iPad off my knee, and where it is at right now it just interferes at the extreme range of motion of the stick. I will order one before I try this in flight.

(Sorry about the picture orientation - not sure how to fix it.)
Attachments
IMG_1935.JPG
IMG_1934.JPG
IMG_1933.JPG
IMG_1932.JPG
User avatar
PIERRELFAI
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:17 am
First Name: Pierre
Aircraft Type: DA40D
Aircraft Registration: FHRLE
Airports: LFAI

Re: Simple iPad mounting solution

Post by PIERRELFAI »

7C4323AD-65CC-4DBD-AA81-1B243936D5DC.jpeg
73C087EF-B52A-4064-8156-E976AE03A5E0.jpeg
EAB0F84C-E4BE-4B98-821A-BD739C210D02.jpeg
31C34F16-D8D4-42C1-8040-4B8A32F299DB.jpeg
F5B6EAE8-0BE1-49E3-B2E2-CAEDE5A1DDC2.jpeg
This the solution I am using with no drill
User avatar
gtmize
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 87
Joined: Sat Apr 01, 2017 6:58 pm
First Name: gary
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N175DA
Airports: KFMN
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 18 times

Re: Simple iPad mounting solution

Post by gtmize »

is this a RAM mount? model#
I've had problem finding a mount for a full size IPAD
PaulB
1 Diamond Member
1 Diamond Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Sep 12, 2013 5:26 pm
First Name: Paul
Aircraft Type: DA40D
Aircraft Registration: G-OCCU
Airports: EGTR
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: Simple iPad mounting solution

Post by PaulB »

No I don't think it's RAM. It's a generic Chinese model. I wanted the same solution for the DA40 I fly. I managed to track it down on the UK E-bay site from a German seller. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362383211394. I imagine you could eventually track one down from an seller dealing with the generic stuff.
User avatar
PIERRELFAI
2 Diamonds Member
2 Diamonds Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:17 am
First Name: Pierre
Aircraft Type: DA40D
Aircraft Registration: FHRLE
Airports: LFAI

Re: Simple iPad mounting solution

Post by PIERRELFAI »

Post Reply