Building myself a Raptor style centre consol!

42rangie · Oct 5, 2012

Use to make up control panels on fire apparatus in a former life. There always seemed to
be something new to be added. Design is the priority. Have you included everything? Do you have room for all wiring and for expansion? There is always something else you will
need. Mock up everything in heavy card stock and trial fit.
When cutting metal (I prefer ally sheet), measure and mark stock carefully. I liked to use
a bandsaw and cut holes with a "step" drill and electricians conduit hole punches. Bends
and curves can be done in most shops that do tin work (or carefully by hand).
Take your time. It will turn out fine.
Good luck. Great idea you have.

Regards,
Les

bankz5152 · Oct 5, 2012

Cheers. I have included everything I currently need + future additions + a spare switch socket and things I dont intend on buying for a very long time!

Though I could also fit extra switches on the top or below the CB radio socket if needed.

I think ive accounted for everything I need.

GINGE · Oct 5, 2012

Josh,

It seems your pretty set on making your own. Good luck.

But just so you know, you can fit one to a Teedee5 you just have to lose your existing dash. So make sure you have enough switches to replace yours and the additionally you want.

Good luck.

bankz5152 · Oct 5, 2012

Cheers. Yes 8 switches 4 to replace current switches, 3 for new things, 1 spare. Space for 2 - 4 more if needed.

Edit -

On top of that why pay £80 when I can do the same job, probably just as good for the cost of the materials £5 - £6.

Goody8 · Oct 10, 2012

A8658146-4482-478C-981B-5DE11CAB4449-490-000000622319F7BD.jpg

looks a bit bare at the minute, still deciding what to put in and where....

bankz5152 · Oct 10, 2012

Really nice. Very neat, that the Raptor or a home brew?

Bump · Oct 10, 2012

timtheenchanteruk said:
Engine management...
Series...

:crazy:

Yep.

If tablet turns off - batteries dead on the Series (tablet battery ain't that good)

If tablet get's really hot and starts to smoke a bit - Series is on fire

If map is upside down - landy upside down - sensible to switch engine off

If tablet smashes and i have pain in my legs - i've crashed and the engine is sitting on my lap.

If tablet turns into a kettle and is boiling - engine is overheating

Don't see what more you need really

timtheenchanteruk · Oct 10, 2012

Bump said:
Yep.

If tablet turns off - batteries dead on the Series (tablet battery ain't that good)

If tablet get's really hot and starts to smoke a bit - Series is on fire

If map is upside down - landy upside down - sensible to switch engine off

If tablet smashes and i have pain in my legs - i've crashed and the engine is sitting on my lap.

If tablet turns into a kettle and is boiling - engine is overheating

Don't see what more you need really

:5bsmilielol5: :5bsmilielol5: :5bsmilielol5: :5bsmilielol5:

slicer · Oct 15, 2012

@ Goody8.....yeah, that was a guy from Coleraine, Northern Ireland. He's a top bloke, I got a copy if his install instructions as I bought one second hand on eBay a month before, it cost me £40. I near cried when I saw you got that one complete for that price!!!! Mine had no large faceplate. Been down to an Engineering works nearby, he's making me a cover for £20. Hope you enjoy it mate!

Goody8 · Oct 16, 2012

slicer said:
@ Goody8.....yeah, that was a guy from Coleraine, Northern Ireland. He's a top bloke, I got a copy if his install instructions as I bought one second hand on eBay a month before, it cost me £40. I near cried when I saw you got that one complete for that price!!!! Mine had no large faceplate. Been down to an Engineering works nearby, he's making me a cover for £20. Hope you enjoy it mate!

I wasn't expecting to win auction but now I have it well impressed, looks great cheers.....

bankz5152 · Oct 18, 2012

Little update, been rammed at Uni writting my Dissertation though managed to draw this up in Illustrator -

View attachment Defender Center Console.pdf

Everything in bold is being Laser Etched when its been powder coated black, so should look pretty smart.

I'm pretty sure everything is the correct size except for the actual size of the console (may be a few mm off) and the bend line and the top maybe be a few mm off (need to measure up precisely tomorrow)

Got all my switches in place + 4 spares (which will be plugged with rubber grommets) and theres plenty of space at the top if needed for more.

The hazard switch is going to be an Amber Led switch
Wiper jets will be a momentary
Spot lights, Roof Lights, Winch will be under the red switch covers
12v Cig lighter at the top for stuff

Twin powered USB with a dust cap - Capable of charging a tablet if needed

Edit -
May move the bottom layer left by one switch and put the Hazard in the center of the 2 stacks.

Pughy · Oct 20, 2012

Hi. Just a quick observation. With the 12v socket and the usb sockets at the top. Won't the cables of things that are plugged in hang down across the switches and get in the way?

Just a thought.

Ninja Haggis · Oct 20, 2012

Just a wee thought for you ... I've got the Raptor 'Pod', although its not actually fitted in yet...
I got some Carling Switches for putting into it... and can really vouch for the quality and overall general 'niceness' of them ... perhaps worth a look ?

HTH

Haggis.

Goody8 · Oct 21, 2012

Have you sourced the USB port, if so would you mind telling me where I can get one cheers...

bankz5152 · Oct 21, 2012

Everything I run off the USB will be stuck on the windscreen so above the switches.

Cig lighter - there will be a clip on the left of the console to clip wires out the way.

Ive seen the pods, I like them though I need that space for phone/SatNav.

I have indeed -

Blue Sea 1016 Dual USB charger socket 12V or 24V DC input 5V DC 2.1A output [490BS1016] - £18.51 : LED Lights, Marker Truck LED Vehicle Lighting Trailers Commercial Lightbars Warning Lights Land Rover

Goody8 · Oct 21, 2012

That's a tidy USB port shall be ordering one of those for mine thanks..

bankz5152 · Oct 22, 2012

No worries! If you get yours before I do let me know how it is.

Goody8 · Oct 25, 2012

bankz5152 said:
No worries! If you get yours before I do let me know how it is.

Just ordered one off AMAZON FOR £14.95 will let you know how good/bad it is when it arrives .....

bankz5152 · Oct 25, 2012

Oh sweet! Half the price! Nice find buddy! Amazon is allways worth a look!

I think this may be my final design -

Frame size is now correct as is the top section.

The squares roudn the bottom 3 switches are to account for the size of the rocker covers - the square in the top right is a hole for a voltage meter.

Moved the 3 spare switch sockets to the top section, as well they are spares and may not be needed any time soon so nice and out the way.

Only thing that is wrong at the moment is the size of the mounting holes, need to check it out properly and get the correct sized Hex/Allen Bolts

Also spent a bit of time making sure everything was lined up and accurate. As mentioned before all will be powder coated black and then the various points laser engraved.

Also to add this is going to cost me a total of £4.50 in materials and possibly £5 - £10 in the powder coating. So a total of £10 - £15 for a fully custom center console nuilt exactly to my spec as opposed to the £95 raptor where going to charge (though included a £30 mount)

Goody8 · Nov 4, 2012

USB works well and you can mount without face plate ...

C31BFDB1-A11F-434A-BD58-389495DB4B63-1521-000001C232632C30.jpg

Building myself a Raptor style centre consol!

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