FAE Install Side or top mount

[Gwyn]

Noticed in the FAE instructions that you can either side mount or top mount the square support bar

Has anyone any recommendations which is either best or easiest to install

The only advantage I can see from the side mount is that you dont have to drill the underside of the platform to take the bolt head?

[bluebomb78]

I think this is a option that Larry began offering within the past year or so. I installed my FAE last spring and was supposedly one of the beta testers for the side mount option. Very pleased overall, especially not having to drill up into the swim platform and work over my head. Installation was fairly straightforward but I did have two issues.

The first is that the installation package contained hardware for both scenarios (top and side mount) and it took a couple calls to Larry and some figuring to determine which hardware was appropriate for my installation. Larry was extremely accommodating and helpful so no big worries there.

The other issue is ensuring that the mounting points on the FAE bracket are lined up with the aluminum bar. The only part that was not included from the top mount were the long threaded bolts. These were excluded due to cost according to Larry. If they were included, I would have inserted them into the FAE mounting points and tightened them down, using them to ensure that I had both the FAE and the aluminum bar lined up correctly. As it was, I found something in the garage that served the same purpose.

You'll never be sorry you installed the FAE and I recommend the side mount personally as you don't have to work over your head. Hope this helps!

[skippabcool]

Are there any pictures of the differences of the two?

blue maybe you could post some pictures of yours.

[bluebomb78]

Might need some help, I have the pics locally. Do I need to upload to something like Flickr first?

[bluebomb78]

Okay, here's my first crack at pictures. Apologies if this is a failure.

1. Pipe installed.



2. Attempting to line up mounting bar:



3. Another attempt at lining up mounting bar:



4. Inserting mounting bar onto sleeve mounted to swim platform bracket:



5. Quick disconnects mounted from FAE to mounting bar:

[skippabcool]

Pics didn't show up. It may be that the location did not resolve. You can upload pics directly if you have them on your PC. Go to manage attachments then browse and upload. In the manage attachments it gives you the specs for the pic size.

[bluebomb78]

Hopefully this works...


(Thanks skippa!)

[Gwyn]

Blue

thanks for the info, much appreciated, my feeling was that it looked a little easier to do, I have actually taken the patform off to start with as have another problem to resolve with the platform brackets.

I was thinking of laying the square bar over the brackets and plumbing down to the exhaust mounting points

[skippabcool]

Thanks for the pics. I see the difference now. I had an issue with my quick connects and the mounts. After using them several time they are not near as stiff as they were in the beginning, every time I go out I have to put it on then take it off. I had measured but when I drilled and installed the holes were off slightly.

[bluebomb78]

You might be able to see from the picture that the left quick disconnect is really well lined up. The right quick disconnect is a little off. You need to be pretty sure about the hole before you drill it, but fortunately there is some play. Not sure that the fixed mount would have as much play.