Chartplotter Pedestal Installation

[stephen Penny]

I am planning to install a chart plotter/gps/radar on an Edson clamp on platform mounted to a U shaped pedestal in the cockpit of a 1987 Hunter 31 I recently purchased. I am not sure of the wiring plan yet. Has anyone ever done this and can offer any installation recommendations?

 

[Chuck Creel]

Stephen,
I ran my wires through the pedistal itself and found i ran out of room so i installed a section of SS rail from deck to navpod as 3rd route

 

[Shooter II]

Stephen,
On our '83 H31, we have our GPS mounted on the cup holder pod on the U shaped ss. The pod is teak and we ran the wires down through the pedestal. The wires come down to the ceiling of the quarter berth (remove the cover). We only use the power wires because the antenna is internal. It's just a GPS 440.

 

[Ron McCoy]

Hopefully, you can find enough space inside the SS tubing along one side of the pedestal. I've got a Whitlock pedestal and all the wiring runs through one tube. I've got the Raymarine C80, wind, speed, depth and autopilot instruments. Last month I purchased a Sirius weather receiver and started the installation last week. I ended up having to use the starboard side SS tubing to run the NG plug to the back side of the chartplotter. Not an easy job. After cutting out a large hole in the SS tubing behind the chartplotter I found I had to snake the plug up (rather from top down) from under the helm station. I ran it around the throttle assembly and finally to the rear of the chartplotter. Raymarine only supplys a 10ft cable so the receiver had to be close by in the lazarette. I've installed a dedicated power supply line from the distribution panel that terminates in the lazarette so providing the power was easy to all my Raymarine gear. Anyway, when you tackle this job it's going to take some thorough engineering on your part. Every boat is different and each have their unique hurdles. Take your time is my best advise. Your Edison pedestal has accommodations for wiring. You'll probably end up taking it apart to fiqure out what's in there. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[stephen Penny]

Chart plotter (Garmin 3210) was installed today on a new Edson clamp-on-platform attached to the existing u-shaped pedestal in the cockpit. The chart plotter is relatively large (need large one to avoid reading glasses while sailing) but it fit without purchasing a new pedestal with full visibility to the compass. Wires were run from the chart plotter to the power supply and VHF radio by the local SF navigation specialist I hired. I was so tired after spending 3 solid hours cutting 3 seized stainless bolts that were attached to the aft radar stand and radar stainless steel platform that I forgot to ask how the lines were run. But the good news is the chart plotter gps was tied into the new and updated VHF radio, which I previously installed, emergency distress signal. GPS antenna and radar installed aft on existing antenna/radar structure approximately 9 feet above the cockpit floor. Next step is to test the system with the navigation specialist.

 

[stephen Penny]

Radar, gps and chart plotter finally installed. The chart plotter was mounted on an Edson table mounted to a 1” pedestal forward of the wheel. Rather than replace the 1” pedestal the nav specialist drilled a hole in the wheel pedestal to route the chart plotter cables through and installed a stainless weather shroud on it to mitigate water infiltration. The cables were then routed from the wheel pedestal to the underside of the cockpit in the quarter berth ceiling then to the starboard cockpit locker then to the aft cockpit hatch then to the port nav electrical panel. The radar and gpm antenna wires were routed down the existing radar port aft stanchion into the cockpit locker via a hole. It is a very clean installation and very well tied off. Great system and low cost. I am looking forward to expanding my navigation experience and skills. Of course, no excuse for not reading maps, tide tables, etc.

 

[stephen Penny]

So here is the final installation of radar and gps chart plotter. Used both this weekend in pea soup fog in a shipping channel in bay in San Francisco. They were more than a navigational plus. I have been off shore in similar situations without them years ago on the west coast (Marina Del Rey to Catalina Island) in a charter boat and would not be without them. Plus the new gps is tied into the VFH radio emergency signal.