Raymarine X-5 Smart Pilot - Cable Routing Question

[Joe Mullee]

I started the installation of my Raymarine X-5 Smart Pilot and all the components are mounted. I have a question about how to run the cable from the wheel drive located at the helm to the course computer located in the aft cabin.

The manual suggests to run the cable thru the "cable duct" in the pedestal if there is one. I have a Merriman Yacht Specialist binnicle/pedestal mounted on my 1983 Hunter 34. There are currently no wires or cables running thru the pedestal and I don't see any pre-cut hole to be used as a cable duct.

Would it be wise to drill a hole into the pedestal and pull the wire thru the cockpit sole beneath the pedestal, in effect creating a cable duct? If I went this route what should I use to seal the new access hole in the pedestal to prevent moisture from entering and dripping down the pedestal tube?

Any other suggestions on how to run the cable are appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe Mullee

 

[Ed Schenck]

I have gone two ways Joe, routed cabling down through the binnacle and down through the helm guard. On the binnacle I drilled a hole after finding the right size grommet in the hardware section at Lowes. No sealant, just a tight fitting grommet. There were holes in the bottom of the Edson pedestal large enough to pull the cable out.

But the helm guard might be a better option. That is how I wired my most recent electronics, a Garmin chartplotter. Easy to pull the helm guard out and drill a hole right where the foot attaches. Lots of silicone in that hole and then reseat the guard. Much easier to route the wire and you don't disturb the binnacle.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Hey Joe!

I have the Merriman pedestal too. The power cable for the existing wheel drive was run up inside it and comes out at the level of the motor end through a grommet just as Ed S. pointed out. It feeds out at the bottom on the front side and is pulled tight to avoid entangling the steering cable. I plan to run the new drive wire in the same way, using the old wire to pull it in and through.

I ran my GPS wiring up the same way and have had no issues with the steering either. The compass light wire was run in the same manner.

If you are really concerned, you could feed a small diameter piece of PVC up inside over the wire once it is pulled through to give it a chase to be contained in, which should keep it out of the way of the steering cable.

 

[hightower]

Raymarine A65 - Cable Routing Question

I have the same Merriman with all the old Datamarine wiring plus the diesel control cables inside. My stuation is can I drill 3/4 inch hole in the pedestal next under the surface holding the knot, depth meters to run my sealed GPS antenna wiring? Has anyone done this? I cannot find a Merriman Manual,

 

[Dan Johnson]

Joe & Lets...

Here's a pic I just posted on the Hunter Owner site on another thread. Also a picture of the bottom of the pedestal where the cabling comes out.

Joe, I used the existing hole which had a regular rubber wire grommet in it for the previous 4000 drive power cable. I believe the hole is 3/8" and the grommet is for a 1/4" cable (I bought new ones but the old one was so well lodged in the ped column and still tight on the cable I reused it).

Things are very tight inside the column so once you get the cable in, pull it down tightly so it clears the steering cables without rubbing.

 

[ogstel]

Binnacle

Dan Johnson,

How did you remove the binnacle and compass to site down the pedestal? What did you use to pull the wiring?

In your picture, are the engine control cable running in the same hole?

 

[Dan Johnson]

Ogstel...

The black and red cables are indeed the engine contol cables. Everything else is electrical cable. The PO had the engine cables replaced the year before I bought the boat and I sure would have liked to have been there when the yard mechanic did that job!

Only the compass was removed at the top of the binnacle. The fixture it mounts on is plastic and showing its age in some cracks around the screw mounting holes so I'm not going to touch it as it's something replaceable only from a salvage site.

It helps greatly to place a shop drop light below the opening so you can see where the holes are. I also covered up under a small tarp like an old time photographer to see down the opening from the top with a flashlight, but it's really hard to see anything in bright daylight.

Previously wiring for my GPS (power/NEMA wires and antenna) was fed up the binnacle after dropping a weighted monofiliment fish line down the opening. One of those flexible three finger grabbers was used to bring them out through the drilled opening, and a rubber grommet was slipped over them and fitted into the hole.

The preexisting autopilot wiring was replaced in reverse. It was fed into the pedestal and let fall down to the bottom where the grabby thingie was used to pull it out through the small opening shown. A true test of patience!