Garmin GMR 18 xHD

[bad1129]

Anyone have experience installing one of these radar domes on a mast?


Did you use a disconnect at the base of the mast on the power and network cable or did you run them right to their respective end points?


Was the mast on or off the boat when you did it?

Did you shield the radar cables from the other wires (electric for lights, VHF antenna, wind instrument) in the mast. If so, how did you shield them?


TIA!

[C420sailor]

This is based on my Garmin Fantom install...

I mounted a Garmin thru-deck connector for the Ethernet. The power I sent through a deck pass-thru (can’t remember what they’re called) and used heatshrink male/female quick disconnects below deck.

No additional shielding, but I have fresh RG-213 for the VHF.

I installed the radar with the mast down. Shot Monel blind rivets.

Radar functions beautifully, no RFI between the VHF, radar, wind, and LED lighting. Flawless.

Regardless of how you do it, I highly recommend having a way of disconnecting in the vicinity of the mast/deck interface. When the mast needs to come down, you will cry when the yard decides it’s easier to cut your cables than fish them back out. With QDs, you can unplug and seal everything up in 30 minutes before those clowns start taking the rig down.

[bad1129]

Originally Posted by C420sailor

This is based on my Garmin Fantom install...

I mounted a Garmin thru-deck connector for the Ethernet. The power I sent through a deck pass-thru (can’t remember what they’re called) and used heatshrink male/female quick disconnects below deck.

No additional shielding, but I have fresh RG-213 for the VHF.

I installed the radar with the mast down. Shot Monel blind rivets.

Radar functions beautifully, no RFI between the VHF, radar, wind, and LED lighting. Flawless.

Regardless of how you do it, I highly recommend having a way of disconnecting in the vicinity of the mast/deck interface. When the mast needs to come down, you will cry when the yard decides it’s easier to cut your cables than fish them back out. With QDs, you can unplug and seal everything up in 30 minutes before those clowns start taking the rig down.

I totally agree that some sort of QD is necessary at the base of the mast. I have the mast down and all new electrical and VHF wiring is going in.



Does your cabling exit the mast at the deck so it enters the interior through the deck?



Is this the Garmin Ethernet thru-deck connector you used?


https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/1191/pn/010-10580-00


Thanks for your help!

[C420sailor]

Originally Posted by bad1129

I totally agree that some sort of QD is necessary at the base of the mast. I have the mast down and all new electrical and VHF wiring is going in.



Does your cabling exit the mast at the deck so it enters the interior through the deck?



Is this the Garmin Ethernet thru-deck connector you used?


https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/1191/pn/010-10580-00


Thanks for your help!

Yes and yes.

Use good UV resistant grommets where the cables exit—Home Depot ones won’t last a year.