Radar Installation 1988 340DA

SkipBarnes

SkipBarnes

New Member
Oct 3, 2006
73
Hi Everybody -

I'm installing a Raymarine 2kw 18" Radome on my 1988 340 Sundancer this weekend (I hope) and could use some advice for getting the wiring harness from the dome to the display. Last weekend I installed the GPS and display, so I have a good idea of what to do with the wire once it emerges from the arch, but the harness has connectors mounted at both ends and I believe it's gonna be a mighty tight fit to get it through there :? has anybody tackled job this and have any suggestions?

Skip
(AKA BassDude)
y.i. Otter
1988 340 Sundancer
 
Skip,
You might need to drill biger holes to pass the connector. What ever you do don't cut it. There is atleast one coaxial pair in there and the whole thing has an RF shield in the case.

Pat
 
It looks like I can remove (in order) the starboard light on the arch, the top and bottom cover plates on the side of the arch, then the speaker to get at least a little bit of access. The toughest part that I can see is going to be getting it by the antenna mount reinforcement.

If I could cut it, it would be a LOT easier. But as you mentioned, I can't, which leaves me with a 1/2"x1"x1/4" connector to deal with all the way down the path. ugh.
 
Raymarine radar cables should be pulled from the bottom (display) up to the radar. If it is a new dome the connector at the radar end should be shrink wrapped. If not take some srink tube and do it yourself to make it more compact so you can pull it. If you have already pulled your GPS antenna the hard work is done. There should be plenty of space in your arch (no tight spots) so here is what I would do. Get some nice thick string or cord and cut three pieces the length of the run from the display to the radar plus about 6'. Tape all three pieces to the display end of your gps cable. Pull the gps cable back out from the arch (or at least up to one of those inspection ports). Now you will have 3 pieces of cord running the entire length of the cable run. Tape the gps back to one of the cords and pull it back through. Now tape the radar cable to another one of the strings (at the display end) and pull it up to the radar. Leave the third string in there for future additions. Good luck!
 
I think the biggest problem might be where the arch meets the upper hull. On mine (a few years older 370) that spot is real small. I had to enlarge the hole just to get a GPN antenna cable from the arch to the dash. Once the hole is oned up, you wont have too much trouble snaking it though.

Good luck.
 
Thanks for the hints. I fogot to mentiont that I mounted the GPS recevier on the unused Loran antenna nub. I used the old coax from the Loran to snake the wire through the hull-arch joint and it was tight. I can't remember how close the speaker was to the arch, but hopefully I'll be able to get to that tight spot.

Thanks MarkD and BOEMarine. Hopefully I'll report back Monday with a working setup.
 
sometimes I think you have to be a contortionist to work on these darn boats. :grin:
 
UPDATE:

I found that I had a great tool to get this finished - my checkbook. It took the guys who have done this before (many times) 11 hours! glad I didn't have to finish the job. I have a couple of hours in it, too. What a pain in the arse.

How much? It hurt. A lot.

But it's done and it works great.

I can't get the radar to overlay on the chart. The manual says refer to page 33... and the pages are actually in a different format (1.1, 1.2,....chapter.page...) Suggestions?

Thanks for all your help :)
 
SkipBarnes said:
I can't get the radar to overlay on the chart. The manual says refer to page 33... and the pages are actually in a different format (1.1, 1.2,....chapter.page...) Suggestions?

Thanks for all your help :)
Click to expand...

Which model chartplotter do you have? Is it color or monchrome?

Bountylb3.jpg
 
Bounty said:
SkipBarnes said:
I can't get the radar to overlay on the chart. The manual says refer to page 33... and the pages are actually in a different format (1.1, 1.2,....chapter.page...) Suggestions?

Thanks for all your help :)
Click to expand...

Which model chartplotter do you have? Is it color or monchrome?
Click to expand...

I have the C80 with a Raystar 125 and the 2kw Radome... I found that the manual available online (with page numbers!) said there is an option under 'Presentation' soft button for 'Chart Layers' and the toggle is there. I can't try it until this weekend :(

I found from another source, not Raymarine, that I need a direction sensor ($700+... Didn't I pay enough already?) added top the system. I'm hoping that's wrong.

That sound about right?

Thanks for your help!

Skip
 
Do you have an autopilot? The fluxgate compass that is a component of it is what I use for my direction sensor.

Bountylb3.jpg
 
SkipBarnes said:
Bounty said:
Do you have an autopilot? The fluxgate compass that is a component of it is what I use for my direction sensor.
Click to expand...

Nope. Wish I did :smt009
Click to expand...

You should give Raymarine a call. I have found them to be extremely helpful with respect to questions like yours.

Having said that, if I am not mistaken, it is correct that for radar overlay to work you must have a direction-determining device such as a fluxgate compass or that new (and damned expensive) gyroscopic thingy.

Why not price out a fluxgate? Probably not all that much dough.

Bountylb3.jpg
 
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