MCU-004 armrest mount?

[wkearney99]

Anyone have sources for an add-on box of some sort to mount an MCU004 remote onto an armrest?

I know I can have Stidd make something but I'm open to other sources. Anyone run across others?

The previous setup used a Simrad JS10 joystick and a small stainless box mounted to a plate attached to the underside of the armest. I'm thinking something similar would probably suffice. Alongside the armrest would best for this particular setup, as there's pass-through traffic at the helm station to/from a door to starboard. Likewise, embedded into the armrest would lose the use of it for comfort.

But before I have something made, I figure it's worth asking if anyone else seen alternatives I should consider.

 

[wkearney99]

How readily does the TZT316 tolerate the USB connection for something like the MCU004 being connected/disconnected? Does it automatically set it up when it's connected? Or does the TZT3 have to be rebooted or otherwise reconfigured?

I don't plan on changing the connection but the install of the remote on the chair armrest and using a coiled cable could potentially lead to it being changed while the plotters are already running. I'd have them connected through a hub, as there's also going to be an SDU-001 also connected. So, are they plug-and-play?

 

[Johnny Electron]

MCU004 should be setup in the menu (HOME - Settings - Initial setup -Remote control config)
Hot swapping is not recommended. Powered USB hub recommend if running several items on your USB port.

 

[wkearney99]

Right, I get "not recommended". And would totally avoid doing so under typical circumstances. But that's different from "it'll automatically repopulate" versus "it requires a full power cycle reboot".

I absolutely plan on having a USB hub in-between the devices and the TZT3. Both for powering them and as a sacrificial entity should anything "go wrong" with the USB connection. Better to have a hub fuse die rather than the chartplotter.

If the remote is in a chair arm that needs to use an umbilical to connect to the helm station there are going to be situations where unplugging is necessary, or unavoidable. I'd just like to know if the TZT3 is going to handle the dis/connects gracefully or not.

 

[Johnny Electron]

The software should in most cases recognize an MCU004 connected after power up but the custom config (for which units you wish to allow it to control) might not revert until you reconfigure in the menu. It would definitely work for the unit it is directly connected.