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krc



Joined: 06 Nov 2017
Posts: 113
City/Region: SF Bay Area
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Photos: krc
PostPosted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 10:44 pm    Post subject: Radar wiring - install help Reply with quote

Hi all -

I am looking at putting in a radar (1st Watch Wireless) and am trying to figure out how to add a switch so that I can turn it "on/off" from the panel at the steering area. SPST I suppose.

The front "rocker" switches next to the steering column are full, and so is the fusebox (12 fuses). But one of the fuses is for a cigarette lighter that I don't really need. Just not sure how to buy an on/off switch with indicator light (when "on") that I can mount next to my steering wheel near the trim tab indicator? Or can/should I just get a switch with a breaker (at 5AMP?) and not worry about the fuse box or cig lighter at all? (Really - does that even exist - in which case I would just pull +/- line?) Radar in-line fuse is 5A for radar, so I assume fuse / breaker would be 5A as well?

And to mount a new switch, what is the best way to cut into the cowling? Or, should I just replace the cig lighter with a push button on/off which might be simple as there is a hole already there, and wired already to fuse box with a 5A already in place...

Thanks for any thoughts/advice...
K
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20779
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 11:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The cigarette lighter plug is really for accessories, like USB. chargers, or spot lights, etc. I have a number of them around the boat--sort of handy. For example we plug fans into them: An extra light, Battery charger for rechargeable AA or AAA batteries, etc. We have a fan which fits over the forward hatch, and run it off the console plug.

I find that I always add more switches and circuits to the boats I own. I usually put in either a complete second panel or add individual switches. I usually take out and replace the 6 fuse box with a 12 fuse box. Or you can add a second 6 fuse box. Another option which I have on the current boat is to drill a series of holes where the console fiberglass is only about 1/4" thick and put toggle switches in directly thru the glass You can find toggle switches which are all types, with and with out lights, etc. For example I have a series of 5 toggle switches which control the LED red night lights thru out the cabin and cockpit down to the inboard side of the console. Check to see where there is plywood cored area. If you cut out there, be sure you can easily get to the back of the switches, if putting in a second panne. For my radar, I repurposed one of the switches, and used a black label tape with white letters over the original "name" of the switch. I have one switch for all electronics except the radar. I don't want the radar on when I turn on all of the other electronics. Yours will be the same.

Yes, you need a single pole single throw switch in the positive wiring. I would fuse it before the switch. 5 amp fuse is correct.

My radar is also wireless (RayMarine Axiom +, but goes to the MFD first then to the I pad). The Furuno First Watch will be interesting to see how this works.

All you have to do is run the proper sized wire, I always use duplex wire in the white vinyl sheath, and keep the factory wiring to a minimum, especially if run thru tubing such as a radar arch. If you are just going with a short strut and short run over the forward cabin top, there may be enough factory wiring. I would put heat shrink over the double wire where it goes thru any holes or devices to prevent water intrusion. Use adhesive lined heat shrink ring and butt connectors, make the crimps with a good ratchet crimper. Label all wires as you go, and this may be a good time to label the other wires which are already there.

Put up some images of your installation and the radar picture when you get it all done.

Here is a photo of the extra panel I added to our last 22:



Here are the 5 toggle switches just thru the fiberglass 1/4" thick

_________________
Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL
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krc



Joined: 06 Nov 2017
Posts: 113
City/Region: SF Bay Area
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Photos: krc
PostPosted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 12:10 am    Post subject: So... Reply with quote

It seems like simplest way would be a toggle switch as you show and simply wire it to a new fuse box (since my 12 fuse box is full). That way I keep the cig lighter ( I have another next to it as well), and have fuse space for the future.

Can I simply wire the new fusebox in parallel to the old one and so just pull power across? Fuse would be only 5A so not much extra load (to match the in line fuse at radar). Not sure what the fuse size is for the run from the battery up to the dc panel....
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krc



Joined: 06 Nov 2017
Posts: 113
City/Region: SF Bay Area
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Photos: krc
PostPosted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 12:24 am    Post subject: Hmmm... Reply with quote

I wonder if this might be a quick alternative. 3 toggles with 5A fuses each.
https://www.rehberl.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=26867
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ssobol



Joined: 27 Oct 2012
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City/Region: SW Michigan
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SoBELLE
Photos: SoBelle
PostPosted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 10:45 am    Post subject: Re: Hmmm... Reply with quote

krc wrote:
I wonder if this might be a quick alternative. 3 toggles with 5A fuses each.
https://www.rehberl.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=26867


I wonder what happens when you set the switches to "NO".
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krc



Joined: 06 Nov 2017
Posts: 113
City/Region: SF Bay Area
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Photos: krc
PostPosted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 11:27 am    Post subject: Picture was... Reply with quote

Upside down it appears. Shows how much they care.
Smile

Curious- why do people use separate fuse blocks with panels that already have breakers or fuses? I can see if a breaker panel then may be you want a fast acting fuse (non-mechanical) - but otherwise why don't people just use panels with integrated fuses? Troubleshooting ease is maybe why?
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20779
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 11:30 am    Post subject: Re: So... Reply with quote

krc wrote:
It seems like simplest way would be a toggle switch as you show and simply wire it to a new fuse box (since my 12 fuse box is full). That way I keep the cig lighter ( I have another next to it as well), and have fuse space for the future.

Can I simply wire the new fusebox in parallel to the old one and so just pull power across? Fuse would be only 5A so not much extra load (to match the in line fuse at radar). Not sure what the fuse size is for the run from the battery up to the dc panel....


Yes you could use a new 6 fuse box. I prefer to keep the fuses in the boxes, because there are far easier to identify. Unless the fuse is right at the beginning of of the factory wiring, I will remove it, and just use one of the Blade ATC fuses.

Single toggle switch-put it in a place where you may easily add others in the future.

The small panel would also work fine.

You can parallel the input (red) into the old fuse box and new. There should be a 30 to 60 amp breaker by the house battery. Unfortunately the factory wiring is not always adequate. I usually will add additional wiring (both positive and ground). Different years have different size. You should be easily able to check the size by looking at it.
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colbysmith



Joined: 02 Oct 2011
Posts: 4523
City/Region: Madison
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Traveler
Photos: C-Traveler and Midnight-Flyer
PostPosted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 12:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

After removing some items in my 25, I had several switches left over. However, before that, I had installed some other electronics that I wanted switched, so added some cbs and switches just to the right of the main panel. I actually put in a whole new switch panel in Midnight Flyer. But here's one photo of C-Traveler for an idea.



Here is a photo of Midnight Flyer with the new switch panel. I used some starboard or like material that I planed down to 1/4" or so.

[img]

In any case, you can get the circuit breakers in the photos from Amazon or any marine outlet. The smaller switches I used, which do have indicator lights in them, were from radio shack: m/n 275-018 cat/n 2750018. [/img]
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ssobol



Joined: 27 Oct 2012
Posts: 3362
City/Region: SW Michigan
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SoBELLE
Photos: SoBelle
PostPosted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 1:34 pm    Post subject: Re: Picture was... Reply with quote

krc wrote:
Upside down it appears. Shows how much they care.
Smile ...


Switch labels are right way around though, so the switches must have a "NO" position.
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Hunkydory



Joined: 28 Mar 2005
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City/Region: Cokeville, Wyoming
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C-Dory Year: 2000
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Hunkydory
Photos: Hunkydory-Jay-and-Jolee
PostPosted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 2:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I very seldom use my present 21 year old JRC radar, but when needed I want it to work & concerned now that it might not, so where I already have iPads & iPhone this looks like a good cheap replacement, that should work well enough for us. Ordered a Furuno 1st Watch Wireless Radar from Hodges Marine today for $907 with free shipping. It should be a fairly simple swap out process.
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krc



Joined: 06 Nov 2017
Posts: 113
City/Region: SF Bay Area
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Photos: krc
PostPosted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 3:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great! Are you re-using your current radar mount? I am probably going to just use a wedge as I want to get as much under bridge clearance as possible as I boat a lot in the delta.
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Hunkydory



Joined: 28 Mar 2005
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City/Region: Cokeville, Wyoming
State or Province: WY
C-Dory Year: 2000
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Vessel Name: Hunkydory
Photos: Hunkydory-Jay-and-Jolee
PostPosted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 4:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I’m hoping to use the present mount. I might have to drill some new mounting holes in the plate.
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krc



Joined: 06 Nov 2017
Posts: 113
City/Region: SF Bay Area
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Photos: krc
PostPosted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 1:00 pm    Post subject: Ideas? Reply with quote

I looked at mounts but really want to keep this low on the roof.

Anyone try using something like Azek (a PVC based material but supposedly weather resistant as it is used for exterior trim?) to form a base? I am a bit worried after looking at the boat yesterday while out fishing that there is a curvature across the top. So, I figured I could scribe the curve to a board and replicate that onto Azek and build up a small 1.5" high base. That way the top would be "flat."

I figure I would bolt through the azek to the radar from inside the cabin. Should i use 4200 to seal the PVC to the top? I am thinking then of putting some epoxy into the hole as well as I bolt thru (I am not sure if this 2006 is cored or not).

What about the wires? I see in other posts people saying silicon, etc.. but I was thinking about installing a gland. Something like a multi deck seal from scanstrut. This way I can also move my light behind the radar (just for aesthetics - I think radar would see through the thin pole fine) and route both wires through the gland.

What is used on the interior to route the cable within the cabin? Looks like some generic cable holders were screwed into the side for other cables, but I was wondering is an adhesive type cable holder would be better?

radar just came in so I got to get started on this soon. Just ordered a couple of lighted rocker switch that should fit near my trim tab control. [/url]
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colbysmith



Joined: 02 Oct 2011
Posts: 4523
City/Region: Madison
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Traveler
Photos: C-Traveler and Midnight-Flyer
PostPosted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 2:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I mounted my radome right to the roof. I made some round spacers (2” hole saw) out of 3/4” hard nylon plastic (or pvc board). I glued several spacers together to raise the rear a bit higher, and only used one spacer on each of the front bolts. I ran the cabling right thru the roof and sealed with silicone or 4200. No leaks. I also have my mast light just behind the radome and haven’t noticed any issues with the radar picture. Those wires are ran with the radome wires. Inside I placed a cable clamp on one of the radome bolts and also either glued or screwed some various cable ties or clamps to hold the cable. Both my 2007 22 and 2009 25 have core in the roof. The 25 is a little thicker but I can’t remember the depth. I’m pretty sure you’d be fine with a 3/8” or 1/2” screw holding a small cable clamp.
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20779
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 3:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The core or no core in the 25's have varied by year. My 2003 did not have core in the raised top, and it was "weak". The current 2007 25 seems to have core.

I like to use "Cable Clams" . They will allow you to use a plug, like on a transducer cable, thru the hull, and yet have a tight seal on the cable.

Shakespeare makes theses glands:

.

On some occasions I have used Clam shell vent covers where there were several cables:



Silicone is not the best sealant to use. 4000 does not yellow as some do. Another good sealant is Boat Life Life seal, which is a hybrid.

Definitely seal any core, If core is present route out the edge and fill with thickened epoxy, after treating the balsa with neat epoxy.
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