GPS Wiring Thru Pedestal

[JimLor]

Ok, got the toilet in, replaced a transducer, got the boat in the water, and have actually gone out a few times w/o a GPS crutch, it's time to actually install the GPS (Garmin 546S). I bought a Ram mount that will fit on the pedestal guard and I intend to run the wiring thru the pedestal to the household battery (engine compartment) and connect the transducer. The part that concerns me is that the transducer/GPS connectors are almost 3/4" diameter. If it comes to it, I don't mind drilling a hole that size thru the pedestal and connecting/running the wiring, but has anyone done it differently? Anyone run the wiring via another route (I can't imagine what other route)? I imagine I could "trim" the tranducer connection (meaning the outside plastic and not the wiring itself), make the connection and then heat shrink it/tape to secure - could probably do that with a 1/2" hole. Or, am I as usual overthinking this?

I would appreciate anyone's experience in this and perhaps other ways to accomplish the same thing.
Jim

 

[redhead78]

I had the same challange, because the head on the transducer wire was like 3/4" and I was told by Garmin not to cut and splice. Its a double head the transducer head, and a small bundle of wires, I used PVC pipe, and brought it up next to my pedastal,with an electrical conduit box, I think they call it, it gray in the pics. It was inexpensive and I can live with it, to get my sonar and GPS without a mess of wires...Red

 

[Ariel]

Jim,

Even though Garmin said not to cut the cable, I did just that and pulled the cable through the Edson pedestal guard to a terminal block mounted below the cockpit floor. The GPS signals and power are all very low voltage and amperage. Just make sure the connections are clean and kept dry. The cable then continues to the nav table to another terminal block that connects to my lap top with the Capn program and to the power switch. I did this over fifteen years ago and the connections are still working.

Ops! Jim, I just realised that your unit is a NEMA network. Disregard what I just said.

Dave
s/v ARIEL

 

[JimLor]

Red and Dave - thanks very much for your posts. I had thought about cutting the cable, running it and reconnecting, but decided not to - I'm not sure what is inside the transducer sheath, how many wires, what size, etc and decided not to take the chance of royally screwing it up.

Red - I like your idea. To be honest, I think in the end I'll probably drill the big hole in the pedestal, insert a rubber grommet, and drive on -- but if I find a hole at the bottom of the pedestal or in the deck itself makes more sense, I'll consider running the wiring thru a conduit to the GPS (or close). Maybe one of the thinner ones and run it up the pedestal on the outside.

Thank you both for taking the time to comment - it's always helpful and interesting to see how other folks tackle different situations.
Jim

 

[redhead78]

My pedastal was only 1" there was no way I was getting the wires from the my new Garmin 545s. I will take a pic of the finished look this weekend and post it. Red