thanks so much for all of that. Yes, figuring out where to put components will be the trickiest part of the install ... thank you for your tips. I'll buy a box or two of AWAB clamps ! I wonder if there isn't some kind of dampening material to insert between a mounting cleat, plate or bracket and a bulkhead ?

I'm coming around to the fact the automatic system is not worth the added expense, thanks for confirming that and clarifying the ease of operating manually.

Cheers, John