Radar Wedge

[Froggy]

Hi All,

I'm replacing my Furuno radar system a Garmin 18" HD dome connected to a Garmin 740S chart plotter/display. As always, it's turned out to be more of a project than expected but seems to be coming along. Question: I'm tempted to go to a 4 degree radar wedge. Curious as to what others are using on their 28 TE's. Wedge or not?

Carl

[mhanna]

Hey there Carl,
I found the need to pitch the antenna down very important. The antenna should be level when you are using it. I tested this by loosening the radar bolts and installing a piece of starboard as a shim under the rear ones (then re-tighten). This allowed me to try different angles without moving the wires around. I think the piece in there now is 3/4" (giving the radar a forward tilt).
You could use washers or whatever as a spacer.

Btw that "test" spacer has been there for years.

Matt

[jleonard]

I wedged the radar down on my "ex" Mainship using stainless washers. Gave me about the right angle when running at 7 to 8 knots which is all I ran in the fog.
And that was a "test" also for me that turned into a permanent low tech solution.

[RobS]

My dome was originally mounted flat on the arch. I added lines to this photo to get an idea how upward pointing and interfered the beam was. The lines are parallel to the sea level/horizon:

running with lines 2.JPG

Last year I added a 6" scanstrut powertower plus a 4deg wedge. I carry the inflatable on the roof so I wanted the extra height. Plus the extra height of the dome keeps the front edge of the roof from interfering with the radar beam at all trim angles. I no longer lose any straightaway targets regardless of speed/trim until I am right on top of them. The all around/mast light is high enough that no mods are required even with the 6" powertower mount:

profile 2012-03-22_14-16-09_984.jpg

[Froggy]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for this! Showing the lines vs. the horizon is excellent.

I've always had a bit of a concern with having the radar right on the arch as the arch on my boat (a convertible) is even lower than the hard top version and I had been looking at mounts to get it up a bit higher to compensate for tilting it forward. I've been looking at Scanstrut (excellent product) as well as Edson. I'm going to go with the Edson 5" Classic Series mount as it is on clearance (they've moved to a modular system in their product line), has the 4 degree tilt built in, is set up for my Garmin system and they're located right up the road in New Bedford.. My old light (convertibles use a Perko 12" light) is too low so that goes and will be replaced by an Edson light mount that fits into the back of the radar mount. At the same time I've upgraded to an Atwood LED steaming/mooring light as it has dramatically lower power consumption than the Perko.

My old radar was a bit like throwing stones off the bow to see if anything was out there in the fog. The Garmin should be a nice improvement.

Thanks to all for the input on the wedge.

Carl

[RobS]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for this!

No problem. Sounds like a nice setup you will have there. Post some pics when it's mounted.

I've upgraded to an Atwood LED steaming/mooring light as it has dramatically lower power consumption than the Perko.

I have been on an LED role this spring myself. I changed all 7 of the plastic incandescent cabin fixtures to new SS LED fixtures. I also installed new LED red/green navlights, and LED upgraded the anchor/mast light and the stern light.

[Froggy]

I converted most of the interior lights over the last couple years. I figure that it will take, conservatively, something like 50 years for the energy payback but saves the batteries while at anchor. What did you use for the stern light (integrated into the transom on mine) and the two running lights?

[RobS]

I converted most of the interior lights over the last couple years. I figure that it will take, conservatively, something like 50 years for the energy payback but saves the batteries while at anchor. What did you use for the stern light (integrated into the transom on mine) and the two running lights?

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[Froggy]

I've been busily working away under Froggy's canvas winter cover installing the new radar unit. As with all things "boat" it is more time consuming than one would imagine. The project involved:
1)Removing Furuno 1623 including all wiring. This had to be done "surgically" so I can re-sell the unit and cable. All overheads had to come out in the quarter berth area as well as drawers under pilot seat so as to access starboard side.
2) Surgically remove Garmin 545 GPS and wiring so it can be re-sold.
2) Removing two old GPS antennas and a WAAS antenna plus related cabling. New Garmin has integral GPS antenna
3) Pulling both AC and DC panels so as to mount galvanic isolator (shown)

IMG_0417.jpg

as well as power for radar
4) Cabling through radar arch - radar power cable- radar control cable.
5) Installing EDSON 5 inch mount with 4 degree forward tilt (shown)

edson.jpg

Next project is to rehab the helm area to mount the new GPS display (Garmin 740S), wire it all up, pray that everything works, give it a test and then close her back up.

More pictures coming.

[Froggy]

Radar.jpg

Radar.jpg

To make things simpler can be a complicated process....

After many hours of work, I have:
1) removed the old radar and have it up on eBay.
2) removed the old GPS and sold on eBay
3) removed depth sounder display and sold on eBay
4) removed Perko steaming light and sold on eBay
5) removed two GPS antennas and ancillary wiring
6) removed old VHF
7) installed Garmin HD radar
installed new LED steaming light
9) Installed new GArmin 740 integrated display
10) Installed new GPS VHF radio

Here is a shot of radar unit now that winter cover is removed. All works great on the hard. Will splash late next week and give it a test in on the water.

[RobS]

Looks great and should perform flawlessly up there. I did very well on eBay selling some Furuno gear I had pulled off a few years ago. No brand does better than Furuno on the used market, thier support on older models is second to none. Actually, thier support is all around great, just that the older model support keeps the value up on the used gear.

[Froggy]

Thanks. Somehow the photo got posted twice and I can't figure out how to delete one but no matter.

The bidding is going strong on the Furuno. Amazingly, I should recoup more than half the cost of the more than 5 year old unit. Also, just put up the old VHF on eBay. That won't do as well percentage- wise but just looking to move it on to a new home.

[Froggy]

Here's the helm station. The depth finder, radar display and GPS are replaced by the single Garmin 740. Much cleaner and more efficient.

As a side note, I highly recommend eBay to dispose of your old equipment if you upgrade. I paid $1070 for my Furuno radar in 2005. Sold it for $870. Paid $147 for my Furuno depth sounder display in 2005, sold it for $100; sold the 540 Garmin GPS for $375 (vintage 2007)and sold my 2005 Standard Horizon VHF for $102 ( replaced by a GPS enabled version). My Garmin 640 with 18HD radar was about $2600 and the new radio $200 or so. Let's call it $3000 for the new set-up. Netted $1500+/- on eBay so the new integrated set-up cost about $1500 (not including my labor). Not a bad deal.

Boat splashes next week.

[RobS]

Very nice, it makes the maiden voyage for the season that much more exciting.
Never noticed that "shade" around the dash, is that an Albin item or a Carl item?
Is that for the sun or the waves that come over the bow!

[DougSea]

Is that for the sun or the waves that come over the bow!