Radar Installation/Location

[Gary]

I have a 320 and I'm thinking about adding radar this winter. I'm looking for ideas on where to mount the display other then at the helm. The helm is not a great option because of wiring/drilling concerns into tubes that are full of wires already. However, I would like to be able to see the display from the helm or cockpit area. (i.e. - don't want to mount it down inside)Any thoughts/pics would be appreciated. Gary

 

[Ron]

At the helm

GaryOn my C320 I have the Raymarine radar/gps chartplotter mounted at the helm above the other instruments. From some recent coastal cruising experiences, having that display directly accessible to the helmsman was vital to situation and position awareness. Moving it elsewhere in the cockpit (or below) says that another person will be required to read/interpret & transmit that info to the helmsman.The chartplotter was a real aid to the helmsman going through some narrow channels between islands, too. The C-MapNT database includes bottom soundings/contours that help you stay inside the channel -- as a supplement to using other piloting methods.The "tubes" can certainly carry the wiring, as it's only thin low current signal/power stuff. All of the heavy-duty, high current wiring is run to the radar scanner on my mast (just above the lower spreaders and deck light).Good luck--Ron

 

[Stan Rogacevicz]

Added a Tube for the Wires

Gary, When I added a speaker/storage box/shelf/12v outlets to the front of my pedistal I ran the wires thru a thru-hull connected to the re-enforced plumbing type hose up to the box from the space in between the pedistal tubes. I am also installing radar this winter and I will replace the little arm holding my GPS that swings from side to side for viewing from Everywhere with a more robust arm to hold the radar display. Pictures at link belowStan"Christy Leigh"c320 #656

 

[Rick]

Consider...

How about having another lower hatch board with the displays mounted in them? When stowed down below you could mount it on the wall near the hatch so that it faces into the cabin and can be read from the chart table. To deploy, just turn it around and slide it into the hatchboard slot. You would still be able to step over it for entering and exiting the cabin. Make the board of wood or starboard.

 

[Tom]

Yeah...it was a B**ch running all those wires

in a 1 inch pedestal guard but I was ablt to do it. AND I also had wiring for a stereo remote (That was also a big fat cable). It is do able. Go to the link I posted below that has the pictures of my installationBut I LOVE having my radar/chartplotter right up there at the helm....personally I think that is the *most* useful placeYou could look into a 1 1/4 inch pedestal guard from Edson or 1 1/2 inch from other manufactures.....makes life much easier when routing wires.

 

[Colin Wightman]

Helm

Take a deep breath, get the replacement pedestal guard with the larger tubes and run the wires...being able to control the display and see fine detail from the helm is really worth it.Also, if you're looking at one of the Raymarine displays that supports the HSB, run one of those cables (and seatalk) while you've got everything torn apart. That way you can use a laptop at the nav station as a second display: nice if you are plotting a course belowdecks while somebody else is driving. Also nice for looking at the weather radar in your skivies in the middle of the night!

 

[C. Robb Worthington]

pivoting mount

A friend of mine, in preparation for a solo trip to Bermuda, mounted his on a pivot arm just inside and to the right of the main companionway. This way it could be pivotted to be visible from the helm and also was right over his head and pointed down while he was in the quarter berth. That is where mine will go, when I get one.