Radar wiring solutions

H

Hayesie Daze

Member
Hello all! Been searching and reading through threads for a couple of days no with no luck. Issue is that I finally got an arch installed (fabricated locally) and got the radar mounted, the issue is that the cable plug is 1" diameter and so is the tube so I am unable to run the wiring through the tubes. Looking for ideas or photos of what people have done to work around this issue. I'd rather not drill through the cabin top just to run the wires but they may be the best bet. I was thinking of using something a box with a gasket where the cable would enter horizontally to minimize water intrusion and then go down into the cabin (with the appropriate among of marine sealant of course). Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Byron
 
My cable was extra long, so I cut the wires, ran the cable through a 5/8" hole and installed new terminal end to each wire, then plugged it back to the big connector in the radom. Can be an intimidating task if you don't have the confidence to try it. Also, with my Furuno, I purchased the connector ends from the factory and purchased a special crimper for the task for under $50.

I ran the cable along the ceiling from the dash to the back of the cabin, drilled a hole through the cabin where the mount was so the cable could be fed through the tube. The arch fabricator will generally have a hole available on one or all the mounting pads to run cable through. Be sure to coat the hole with epoxy to seal off the coring material of your roof.

George
 
Byron, take a look inside the dome where the cable terminates in a terminal block. You can disconnect it there (make sure you mark things and maybe even take a picture so you can put things back correctly. Then, feed the cable UP from inside the cabin, through the arch to the dome and hook it back up. It will be easier if you take a small weight and drop it down from the top through the arch into the cabin with fishing line on it and use it to pull the cable up. Make sure you tape things to a taper so it will go around the bends smoothly.

Let us know how it goes. Have done this myself.

Charlie
 
Just read the other tip. I would NOT cut the cable. The reason it comes in that length is for the timing of the signals. Hopefully George's will work OK but I wouldn't recommend it and neither will the radar mfrs. Just coil it up and live with it.

Charlie
 
Byron doesn't say what type of radar he's installing, but the newer ones (after ~2005) do all the processing in the radar dome and ship the signal down on data wires. Cutting those wires doesn't affect the timing.

I'd check with the mfg, if that's something that would make installation easier.

Boris
 
The cable clams are perfect for the job. The preparation of drilling through your cored roof will take some effort. Dr. Bob was kind enough to put together a great article on the proper procedure:

http://www.commercialcaptains.com/marine_articles

Choose the first link titled "Proper Sealing for Bolts and Screws in Cored Boats".

The only thing I would add is that I find it easier to put some duct tape over the bottom hole inside the cabin. This prevents any errant epoxy paste from falling into the cabin and it's a bit easier for packing the undercut area. I used stainless steel clam shells inside the cabin to route the wires.
 
Back
Top