Installing Raymarine C80 plotter and Radar

7tiger7 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009

Hi,
I'm in the process of buying a 1983 Catalina 30, tall rig. I am installing a Raymarine C80 plotter, with 2kw 18" radome. Has anyone installed a radar similar to this on a Catalina 30?
This is my plan:

The cable that came with it to connect the radome to plotter is 15 meters, and has a plug to connect to the display on end, and an 8-pin flat connector (and 4 power wires) on the other. I plan to use the 15 meter cable to run from the display in the cockpit to the mast step. I then plan to buy a 5 meter cable to run from the mast step to the radome (plan to mount mid-mast, below the spreaders).
The question I have - what is the best way to connect one cable to the other cable, at the mast step? Is there some raymarine adapter? I'd prefer not to have to cut cables / splice new connectors.
Any advice?
Thanks!

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009

GUI just installed a C70 and radome on his boat.

They may make a through-bulkhead connector for the cables. Did you check the manual for what accessories are available for it.

artbyjody · #3 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009

There is no bulkhead adapter for the radar cable. You'll need to purchase a thrudeck wiring clamp (has a rubber insert in it that locks around the cable to prevent water from weeping through the deck). If possible - I would put a pipe up through where the center of the mast sits so you could run it through it and down below. There is no really "visual appealing" method of running the radome cable on a mast stepped mast unfortunatedly. On my C-27 I ran it out the side of the mast and then punched a huge hole in the deck in the head and ran it down that way. I am sure others will pipe up...You may want to post on the Catalina Owners Website where you'll get some good info / feedback as well...

7tiger7 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009

GUI? Guiliana?

7tiger7 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009

I plan to run the cable up the mast compression post and through the mast step (I need to rebed the mast plate anyway). The I will run the other half of the cable from radome down the mast. Really the only issue I have is finding a reliable connection between the 8-point plug... it looks to be proprietary to Raymarine.

artbyjody · #6 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009

It is propietary - but if you bought the 5 meter extension cable they connect together and you are all good - you shouldn't need much else....You'll just have to run the 15 meter from the mast and use the extension to get to the display...Splicing however is not recommended...

sailingdog · #7 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7tiger7

GUI? Guiliana?

Giulietta. He's a pretty frequent poster on this forum and on anything-sailing.com. IIRC, he posted about his C70 install on the other forum.

negrini · #8 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009

Tiger, I'm wondering why you need an extra 5mts on your boat !! I installed same on my previous boat (40' and C80 almost on transom) and missed the location for 2,5m only. Although splices are not recommended at all, I did it with very good result (well, I did try to purchase the 5mt extention, but none readily available, and I had to depart promptly). Even if you have a tall mast, I'd rather install the radome right where the 15m allows, wich I believe could be enough, think about it. Regarding thrudeck fitting, my actual boat use it for everything and is absolutely watertight (Westmarine sell them).

7tiger7 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009

Actually I plan to run the 15 meter from cockpit to mast step (I figure it would need to go down the pedestal, over to port locker, along portside of hull to head bulkhead, back to center line of boat, up the compression post, and through the mast step... close to 15 meters).
The 5 meter extension I plan to use inside the mast (the mast is 42 feet tall from mast step to top... so I figure 15 feet off the deck is high enough for the radome).
Sound like a good plan?

christyleigh · #10 (**permalink**) 04-01-2009

You're all set with the 5m extension because as someone already mentioned one simply plugs into (a water tight seal) the other. I'm assuming a similar setup at the mast step as was on my C320 when I did it being a big blob of sealant at the top of the compression post. I removed that blob, fed the cable up through with a foot or so hanging out to connect with the extension coming down the mast, and re-made the sealant blob at the step. The extension even if not needed is beneficial because it gives you the water proof and electrically correct connection at the mast step for mast removal.