Radar wiring

jmcneill · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:31 pm Post subject: Radar wiring

Ok I love this site and all the info I can get and use for my new boat. I have a few questions. I want to take off my radar arch so I can weld a rocket launcher rod holder to it.

1. I would like to take the Radome off and pull the wire to it out of the tube, so I will not melt the wire to my radar. Can I unhook the wire that goes into the Radome? I would rather try to unhook it from the radome side instead of trying to find the end of that cable that goes a couple miles inside of my boat.

2. I have the same problem with my raymarine gps antenna. Does it unhook at the end of the antenna, that is hooked to my radar arch?

3. I also need to replace my vhf radio antenna, ( tip broken off about 6 inchs) I unhooked the connection where the antenna wire goes into the radio. Seemed pretty basic except for the end connection. Does a new antenna come with a new connection? Do you just cut off the excess amount of cable? Does it require a special tool to crimp the new connection on? VHF antenna wire needs to come out so I do not burn it also.

I am trying to make this project as clean as possible. I would like to pull the wires out of the radar arch, then do my welding then reroute all the wires back to the orginal position. Could I possiblly split the wires with a stainless steel connection?

Sneaks · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:53 pm Post subject:

Removing the Radome end is usually best but it is not for the faint of heart. In the case of a Raymarine like yours, you face damaging a small, easily damaged spendy little connector inside the Radome. A Furuno radar is slightly easier but still can cause grey hairs if you're doing it the first time and without help and is not recommended as a "first time" electronics project which, from the sound of your message, is what you're proposing.

The Raymarine antenna "head" has a small screw in connector on the bottom and the wire is easily removed.

The typical VHF antenna does not come with an attached connector or, if it does, it's definitely got a lot of extra wire and the connector will still require removal to get the coax through your arch.

Bottom line? Bite the bullet and either go to an installer or to a West Marine that offers electronic installation and buy the necessary tech hours to remove then reinstall anything that runs through your radar arch. Total shouldn't be more than 3 hours tech time but it's less than the cost of a tech if you screw it up and have to call them in later....

Don

seahooked · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:47 am Post subject:

As far as the radome goes, I had to remove my Raymarine recently and found it to be pretty easy. Certainly not beyond the capabilities of most people.

Steps:
1- remove the main radar connector from the back GPS unit to insure no voltage is present on the wires (unless your sure the 12V goes through the aux switch and is turned off)
2- loosen the screws and remove the top lid (don't overtighten these screws on reinstallation)
3- inside the radome remove around 6 small screws holding the metal plate covering the wires and the screw holding the cable strain relief
4- cut the single tie wrap
5- record the location of each colored wire before removing, loosen the screw terminal connectors and remove the wires, noting how tight the screws are held for reinstallation purposes
6- loosen both sides of the gland holding the cable to the case
7- wrap some electrical tape around the wires to protect them
8- pull the cable out of the radome
9- remove the four screws securing the radome to the arch; take the radome off
10- do steps in reverse to reinstall

I have no experience with removing the GPS head or the VHF antenna.

westward · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:34 am Post subject:

Chris: Are there any components, especially the gland, that would need to be replaced when re-attaching the radome? Reason I ask is that I'm interested in a radome installation that I can remove yearly, so my boat will continue to fit under my covered deck for winter storage? I want to make sure I don't compromise the seal and/or electronic connections in removing the radome. Thanks, Mike.

Sneaks · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:46 am Post subject:

Dora~Jean · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:46 pm Post subject:

I agree with what everybody's said, not that difficult. Heck, I've removed/replaced my radome SEVERAL times -- don't ask, but a hint, when mounting to a roof that's 1/4" thick, go SUPER-SIZE on the backing plate! I think mine is 14x24", seems OK. As others have said, just be gentle with the wiring inside the radome, not particularly robust but adequate.

Hey Don, didn't know you were into ELINT, so was I! Berlin wall came down, 1/2 our work disappeared... a good thing for the people, bad for business. Crook

Sneaks · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject:

seahooked · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject:

jmcneill · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the info. I was looking at the Raymarine website, and it was very helpful. The antenna for the radio seems that all I need to is get a new PL-259 connector. I will probally go with the solder type and get some wiring tools, for future use. While on the Raymarine website the gps antenna was a bit more difficult. I will have to call Raymarine and see as where to get a new connector for the opposite end of the gps antenna. I think it was a 3 way connector. Regardless I wil not be able to pull either end of the gps through the radar arch. I want to learn all I can about my new boat wiring. I have had a Lund in the past and no fancy electronics, except for electric downriggers. Again thanks for all the help. I will take photos of the process with or without mistakes.

thataway · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:00 pm Post subject:

The Digital antennas come with a minature fitting which screws directly into a PL 259 fitting (the one which comes with the radio). Shakesphere Antennas may come with at crimp on VHF connector. There are too many instances of poor connection of the crimp on type of VHF PL 259 connectors for me to use them. I solder these connectors. You do have to have some good soldering skills, and understand the use of heat sinks. Get some help on this one, and observe, then learn to do the work yourself. You will have to put on more fittings down the line in your boating career.

mpmccoy · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:47 pm Post subject: Antenna vhf

The dealer made me a cable to lenght when I bought my ComRod. The crimped fitting they installed came off during installation (I was able to fix it). I requested a solder connection for the radio end to keep the through hole small. Go solder connections definetly. After talking to the tech (gave valuable advice) I was able to solder the connection easily without the use of a heat sink but using one couldn't hurt. Find somebody with a meter or buy one and test your work afterwards.