Here is an image of the system used to mount the Topcon Tesla controller to the plumbing pole -
Source of image - Hayes Instrument Website
Here is a photo of one of the connection points when it is not all assembled -
I get that the purpose of the round connections is to provide a multitude of possible positions to mount the collector. That makes sense as not everyone wants the collector in exactly the same spot.
Is anyone else finding that the great feature of nearly unlimited positions is creating a problem of the collector tending to want to try out all of those possible positions?
I think I could take a pipe wrench and tighten the connections and the unit would still tend to move every which way.
Unless some of you folks in SurveyorConnect land have figured out how to keep the joints tightened up, I am seriously considering flattening a few sides to try and create a "no rotation" point.
It might make a tight squeeze but perhaps a patch of adhesive velcro between the ball and socket might keep things in place?
Just a thin piece of rubber (thinking bicycle inner tube) slid in between the ball and the socket with keep it from moving.
Or a small thin chunk of rubber, like those exercise stretch bands.
Just a few minutes and I already have a couple of things to try. Thanks guys. Hopefully one of your suggestions will work.
Makes you wonder if anybody that counts (real surveyor) has tried out the design before they put it on the market. This isn't the first piece of equipment that I have seen that ending up being a POS because they never tested it in the field.
I'd try to build a wedge out of wood or plastic to limit it's movement or just use some J.B.Weld to set it permanently in place.
T.W.
Put an unlubricated condom on it! 😉
Maybe rough up the ball a bit with a wire brush mounted in a drill. Or spray the ball with an adhesive, and let it dry before putting it back into the holder.
You might want to visit the Ram Mount web site for suggestions. Appears the mount has some Ram Mount components such as the ball and clamp portions.
I think there are different size ball and clamp components. Bigger might mean more surface area on the ball for the clamp to "grab." Can't tell what size is in the picture.