ok, you've got me. i figured someone was going to finally ask this question...

like so many things, i've got to ramble my story to explain my logic... since if i just say it, people will think i'm wacko.

for starters -- the bracket is wider left to right (van wise) than longer front to back. in fact, it's almost as wide as the mounting base of the screen (about 1/2" per side less than the screen), which means my hole width had to be very close, as a slight excess in cutting would leave me with more hole than screen to cover...

my original plan was to cut the hole, locate the rib (i knew it was there from the folks at www.odyclub.com), and mount the screen via screws on the center rib in the roof (the one you can see in the pic) by pre-drilling holes in the rib and screwing down the bracket.
i cut my hole almost the same front to back size as the bracket (the smaller dimension) and a little less than bracket width side to side, so the bracket could feasibly hang from the headliner alone.



for a test fitting, i stuck some industrial velcro on the center rib (you can see it in the pic) and on the bracket, then worked the bracket up into the hole. what i found was that while the center was very stable, the bracket had a lot of play on the sides because the screws would have to be very close together relative to the bracket's width -- i'd made a seasaw. or at best wings that would flap and bounce... leaving me w/ a screen that would shake and bounce on bumps. not acceptable.

so, me gets to thinking i need support on the sides of the screen to reduce the seasaw/flapper effect. i measure depth from roof to headliner, and it's a tad shy of 3/4". so, i cut up 2 smallish pieces of MDF (and my finger) to the width of the bracket sides and to just short of the length of the hole (front to back). these, i clean up and apply hook velcro to both sides and then loop velcro to the roof and bracket. again, test fitting, i work the bracket up into the hole, but the velcro grabs before i can align the bracket square to the van. no problem, i'll pull it down, realign, and continue...

only problem is -- dang velcro won't let go! and the adhesive won't either! i'm pulling just about as hard as i can to get it down and trying not to have it jerk free b/c the right and left sides have about 5/8" of bracket under the headliner per side, which would possibly tear up my headliner and i couldn't hide it due to the width of the monitor.

after battling it for a while, and finally getting it down - it occurs to me... if it took me that much effort to pull that velcro away and the adhesives were that strong... surely, it can hold a measily less than 2 lb screen in place. and the excess 3/4" bracket/headliner overlay ensures that the screen won't just drop out one day (as many people simply mount to the headliner alone.)

now, setting the stage for this decision.... i had previously talked to 2 good shops where i know installers, and based on what they told me, 9 out of 10 installs they do are just MDF glued to the roof and screws driven into the MDF for the bracket. and i know that velcro doesn't grip less over time, unless you're pulling it apart on a regular basis (tearing the 'loops'), which won't be happening in this case. so, given that i have a strong adhesive already in place, properly sized spacers, and that the bracket was clearly firmly mounted... i just went with it.

so, i guess you can say - my screen is velcroed to the roof of the car.

right now, that thing doesn't budge when i hit bumps or rough road which is better than i can say about a lot of systems i've seen. and physical movement of the monitor or screen doesn't move it either. still, i plan to watch it. if it starts to move or show even the slightest signs of vibration, i'll just drop the 4 screws and the screen, and go back to plan A and screw it into the roof ridge, leaving the spacers as side supports.




so, do you think i'm crazy now?

 

No. Not at all. Makes sence, I would just be worried about the summer time when your roof is like 150` from sitting in the sun... You'll come back to the car from the beach and it will be hanging from the wires But sounds like you got it worked out either way.

But I'll tell yeah I like it.

 

good point about the heat. thankfully the Ody is light colored, so it won't be as bad as if it were black...

but your point is very well made. the heat could loosen up the glue to the roof. i'll be watching as the temps go up, and keep it in mind to watch each summer. *files mental note*

 

I only say that because I've had velco adhesive give out on me and I'd hate to see it happen to you. You could try OEM hotglue. I could send you a stick if you end up needing it. I have it in stock at the shop. Just let me know.

 

i figured you might have had some experience. this isn't typical velcro, and is heavier than other velcro i've had experience with, but it is readily available at hobby stores and the like. so, it isn't like exotic velcro or anything.

OEM hotglue? works in a standard hotglue gun? and is that Honda OEM or a just a general manufacturer grade glue? most of the shops i talked to used what sounded like generic silicon adhesive.

right now, i feel confident in the velcro... next week? month? year? that's what i'm not so sure about. how's it for bonding metal and wood?

 

Yeah Honda OEM hotglue I have the clear yellow and the black. I've used that type of Velcro before, its strong but in the dead of summer with the heat just blazing I think it might give out on you because it going to melt the glue

 

thanks John,

i'll keep it in mind. if nothing else, where did you get the OEM hotglue? maybe i can pick some up and just handle it on coming a free weekend.

PM sent regarding something else.

 

ok... i don't get the Ody away from the wife all that much... she just adores it..

but on those occassions when i have gotten it, wow. i love this system. it's helped motivate me to add a little more bass to the S, and that Boston amp? between the crossover adjustment flexibility and it's generally warm sound -- i love it. i'd buy another w/o hesitating.

all in all, everything's holding up great. i passed by the shop where i bought most of my gear, and the owner was interested in seeing it. so i brought her out and fired it up...

she just stood there and went -- 'wow. very nice. i've sold a lot of stuff to people who install it themselves, and i've never seen anything like this before when they come back. especially video... really nice.'

a nice little ego boost there.

 

Great props Phil! And you DO deserve it!