Lowrance 540C GPS - Review & Mount

[LC/LR4Life]

I did see the cable going through the roof...hopefully he'll expound on that part of the install. I really like my 540C...still getting to know it...but it's the best GPS I've found for off-roading.

In my job we use waterproof bulkhead penetrators (electrical). I'll try to get some and send you one or two next time I get the chance at em. All you do is drill a hole in the metal (!!) just large enough for the bulkhead connector to fit through (will have several wires too), and inside you put on a lock washer and the nut that comes with it and tighten it down. There's an O-Ring between the connector and the metal surface you'll be attaching it to. We call them EO Connectors, and use them on stuff that goes down to a depth of 2,500 ft under sea.

 

[spressomon]

In my job we use waterproof bulkhead penetrators (electrical). I'll try to get some and send you one or two next time I get the chance at em. All you do is drill a hole in the metal (!!) just large enough for the bulkhead connector to fit through (will have several wires too), and inside you put on a lock washer and the nut that comes with it and tighten it down. There's an O-Ring between the connector and the metal surface you'll be attaching it to. We call them EO Connectors, and use them on stuff that goes down to a depth of 2,500 ft under sea.

Wow...that description makes me almost comfortable drilling a hole in the roof of my 100! I would appreciate the connectors. Or a part # or name...maybe MMC carries them?

Thanks!
Dan

 

[Seeker]

How's vibration with the mount setup as it is? Does it vibrate pretty bad on corrugated road or does it do pretty well?

 

[Colorado Ron]

Nice setup! I too would sure like to know where to get these connectors since I just ran an whole lot of wires thru the roof.

 

[LC/LR4Life]

Well you wouldn't want to BUY those connectors........ for sure. Probably couple hundred bucks a piece!

Stuff like that's written off as expendables and charged to the client.....:Wow1:

 

[Colorado Ron]

Well you wouldn't want to BUY those connectors........ for sure. Probably couple hundred bucks a piece!

Stuff like that's written off as expendables and charged to the client.....:Wow1:

OUCH! Ill stick to silicone.

 

[spressomon]

Well you wouldn't want to BUY those connectors........ for sure. Probably couple hundred bucks a piece!

Stuff like that's written off as expendables and charged to the client.....:Wow1:

Holy crap! They must be for oil drilling rigs :ylsmoke: I had no idea they would cost so much. So on second hand I like your original offer better :bowdown: .

 

[LC/LR4Life]

We use them on Saturation diving systems etc.

:1888fbbd:

 

[davegonz]

Heyco makes some nice liquid tight connectors that aren't expensive. I used to use them on semiconductor capital equipment designs.

http://www.heyco.com/default1.tpl

 

[uphill]

SHADOW-WARRIOR, a former commercial diver, did use EO connectors on his install. I used a different (less expensive) through-hull style marine waterproof fitting. I drilled the roof in the front to allow for the install on the GPS and HID lights and again in the back to allowed for lights and a light bar that I installed on the rear of rig (on another N-Fab bar). The wires were run down the "A Pillar" to a marine fuse box and from there to the auxiliary battery in the case of the Lowrance GPS. The off-road lighting was run through the same harness but was connected to the auxiliary battery by way of relays.

The GPS is "always hot" in that you don't need the key in the ignition to have it powered up. There are times on the trail when you want to scroll around, change scale, etc. while others are having lunch or something and it's useful to just do it without having to mess with the key. Since it draws from the auxiliary battery, there's no danger of depleting the principal battery -- so the truck will start...

SHADOW-WARRIOR's installation method "good for life" and mine is "good for a long time". The difference is in the quality of the through-hull nature of the connectors.

For those of you who don't want to drill through your truck, I do know what you mean. It hurts. I drilled a 4" hole in the r/f fender of this truck to install the ARB snorkel and that "hurt" even more.

 

[spressomon]

SHADOW-WARRIOR, a former commercial diver, did use EO connectors on his install. I used a different (less expensive) through-hull style marine waterproof fitting. I drilled the roof in the front to allow for the install on the GPS and HID lights and again in the back to allowed for lights and a light bar that I installed on the rear of rig (on another N-Fab bar). The wires were run down the "A Pillar" to a marine fuse box and from there to the auxiliary battery in the case of the Lowrance GPS. The off-road lighting was run through the same harness but was connected to the auxiliary battery by way of relays.

The GPS is "always hot" in that you don't need the key in the ignition to have it powered up. There are times on the trail when you want to scroll around, change scale, etc. while others are having lunch or something and it's useful to just do it without having to mess with the key. Since it draws from the auxiliary battery, there's no danger of depleting the principal battery -- so the truck will start...

SHADOW-WARRIOR's installation method "good for life" and mine is "good for a long time". The difference is in the quality of the through-hull nature of the connectors.

For those of you who don't want to drill through your truck, I do know what you mean. It hurts. I drilled a 4" hole in the r/f fender of this truck to install the ARB snorkel and that "hurt" even more.

Uphill: Did you run an inline on/off switch for the 540C? And a little hijack here: How are you liking those tires? Any trouble with sidewall/tread cuts?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[uphill]

Uphill: Did you run an inline on/off switch for the 540C?

No. Not necessary. I use the switch on the unit. If I have a problem, I can always pull a fuse.

How are you liking those tires? Any trouble with sidewall/tread cuts?

The Nitto Terra Grappler 305/70R17's mounted on Walker Evans Beadlock wheels with the wide locking bead have worked very well and I have about 30K miles on them. At the moment, I'm planning to put another 10K on them before I replace them. They are not as good as mud tires -- in mud -- but in all other conditions, I rate them 5 out of 5!

Zero problems with sidewall tread cuts.

This is not my daily driver. I use it exclusively for expedition runs and have been on more than a few with the current configuration. http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/member-build-ups/32237-scorpion.html

 

[LC/LR4Life]

You got a real nice rig there. I miss my FJC a lot, but I wanted the room inside of the 100 pretty badly once I test drove one.

I like that light bar you have on the stock rack as well. Is that your own make, or did you buy it?

 

[LC/LR4Life]

SHADOW-WARRIOR, a former commercial diver, did use EO connectors on his install. I used a different (less expensive) through-hull style marine waterproof fitting. I drilled the roof in the front to allow for the install on the GPS and HID lights and again in the back to allowed for lights and a light bar that I installed on the rear of rig (on another N-Fab bar). The wires were run down the "A Pillar" to a marine fuse box and from there to the auxiliary battery in the case of the Lowrance GPS. The off-road lighting was run through the same harness but was connected to the auxiliary battery by way of relays.

For those of you who don't want to drill through your truck, I do know what you mean. It hurts. I drilled a 4" hole in the r/f fender of this truck to install the ARB snorkel and that "hurt" even more.

Cool install. I am currently a Commercial Diver, and those EO connectors are perfect for this sort of thing. I don't think I could drill a hole in my roof for lights if I didn't have something as good as an EO around- just wouldn't feel comfortable with just silicon or whatever up there keeping out torrential rain.

Now on the 4" hole in the fender for a snorkel I don't mind at all.... :Wow1:

 

[spressomon]

No. Not necessary. I use the switch on the unit. If I have a problem, I can always pull a fuse.



The Nitto Terra Grappler 305/70R17's mounted on Walker Evans Beadlock wheels with the wide locking bead have worked very well and I have about 30K miles on them. At the moment, I'm planning to put another 10K on them before I replace them. They are not as good as mud tires -- in mud -- but in all other conditions, I rate them 5 out of 5!

Zero problems with sidewall tread cuts.

This is not my daily driver. I use it exclusively for expedition runs and have been on more than a few with the current configuration. http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/member-build-ups/32237-scorpion.html

Ok...so you're not worried about the current draw when you are not using the 540C when it's powered down at the control panel? My understanding is that it still draws current (how much I don't know) even if the unit has been turned off at the control panel...per Lowrance.