TV Cable routing

[lancew]

I have a 1996 370da. I want to run a new cable for the TV in the port side of the arch. I also am using the round access panel for electric and cable plug in. What would be the best way to get cable up there?:huh:

Lance/Thistle

 

[370Dancer]

I have a 1996 370da. I want to run a new cable for the TV in the port side of the arch. I also am using the round access panel for electric and cable plug in. What would be the best way to get cable up there?:huh:

Lance/Thistle

This question is confusing. Not sure if you already have a cable to the access panel and just want to get it to the TV, or if you want to run a cable line to the Port side of the arch, terminating at the acess panel.

From your question, I am guessing that you have a TV in the cockpit attached or near the arch.
The cable for the TV originates in the deck mounted inlet next to the shore power inlets on the port side of the vessel. That would put the cable right behind the 120v power panel, also located on the port side. Although I have not looked extensively, I believe that the sliding companionway door will prevent you from easily punching through to the side coaming on the Port side. If you find a way, let us all know.
Of course, a straight run from the inlet to the port arch would keep that TV out of the loop for the built in TV antenna, and amplifier. This may be ok for you, or not. If not, then the focus of attention needs to move to the area behind the Salon tv on the Starboard side.
Here, you will find the Glomax TV antenna amp, and a selector switch in the cabinet over the settee that distributes the TV signal to the 2 TVs in the boat. I would tap in here by replacing the 2 way splitter with a 3 way splitter, and then running my cable from that cabinet along the Starboard side to the coaming, and eventually up the arch, and over to the port side.

If you do not already have a fish line through that area, you could use the antenna line from the Glomax in the arch to the amp to pull one through. Note that the antenna goes through some cable clamps, so it may not be possible. I'd pull coax, with a female coupler holding the two together. When you pull back, Be sure to pull 2 nylon lines with it, as you will need the 2nd one to get the antenna feed cable back and still have a fish line for the inevitable stuff you want to pull later. I used a fishtape, and hours of fishing outside of the bundle to get a good open path through there. I now have 3 fish lines available for future network, wifi antenna cable, etc. Newer boats are using 2-3" pvc pipe to make this kind of modification easier.

It is not a straight pull and be done. There are a lot of wires going through the Starboard wall, no conduit, and the turns over the closet near the aft area are vertically S shaped. Then, there is usually a BLOB of foam or silicone trying to keep engine room air out of the cabin area in the coaming near the helm. Most wires go through this opening, which is not air tight, especially after pushing new wires through it. Access to this area is through the sub woofer cutout in the cockpit near the helm, unless you remove the helm bench, and pull the plastic inset panel. You'll be laying down between the console and the helm bench with your arm fully extended, and reaching around lots of wiring and shift/throttle cables to get to it. BE SURE to replace the silicone/foam/rags to keep as much air in the coaming from reaching the cabin through this hole. You'll find that you did not if you run your air conditioner after running the boat, and suddenly your cabin smells like the engine room. Air pressure and all that.

Finally, if your boating area lets you use the arch mounted antenna without any amplification, or you wish to add amplification at the TV, just put a splitter under the TV antenna in the arch, save 15 hours, and run straight to the port side. No cable signal though.

If it's really temporary, just put a splitter on the cable coming into the deck inlet, and run a 10' cable to your cockpit TV. Trailer, but effective.

Sounds like I've been there, doesn't it?

 

[lancew]

Thanks for all the info. Any suggestions on how to pull the speaker panel off? the one located above the ice chest out back.

Lance

 

[370Dancer]

Thanks for all the info. Any suggestions on how to pull the speaker panel off? the one located above the ice chest out back.

Lance

This bolster has an interesting attachment. Remove the speaker grille. Remove the speaker. (take care to not drop the speaker wires. tape them to the inside of the coaming.
Reach into the hole, and the forward side will have a threaded nut to remove. the aft side has a starboard "wedge" on it. after removing the nut and washer, you can slide the bolster aft and then out. You'll see that the bolt hole is slotted to allow it to move aft as well.
This will give you good access to the bottom of the radar arch

 

[altonjone]

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