Vibration Protection for Radio

[EasternSierra]

I'll be installing two radios on a Lobo overhead rack. I'd like to dampen vibrations and impacts, especially those caused by off-road driving. Any suggestions for a good material to use with mounting bolts and washers? Of course rubber washers sound appropriate, but I wonder about different kinds or perhaps other materials that might do better than hard rubber.

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[Brian_B]

but I wonder about different kinds or perhaps other materials that might do better than hard rubber.

In the Silent Service - everything was mounted on rubber bushings. Plain, old fashioned rubber.

I'd look at grommets rather than washers - use 'em as washers but they will be significantly thicker. I've done it that way before at the job site - mounting voltage controllers and such in generator enclosures, but I don't have anything on my Bronco mounted like that right now.

 

[CalvinT]

Until I see auto manufacturers shock mounting their electronics I wouldn't worry about shock mounting a radio. Unless you're running radios that still use vacuum tubes. The military shock mounts electronics because they expect explosions.

Solid state means exactly that. Only concern would be any connections getting loose and that's not very likely for anything designed to be installed in a vehicle.

People seem to have this idea that electronics are fragile. They're not.

 

[swamp2]

Well said @CalvinT . One of the most likely areas for failure is your cabling, should it not be adequately protected from cutting or abrasion wear. Zip tie cables down so they are placed properly, stay there and vibrate way less. When you need to zip tie and there is nothing available use genuine 3M VHB adhesive cable tie mounts and clean the area prior to installation with IPA. Also consider cable sheathing, I like genuine Techflex.

Another thing to consider is where the cables enter the radios. Those are almost for sure strain relief grommeted, but think about potential vibrations at that location.

 

[EasternSierra]

Thanks for the helpful answers!

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