C30S wiring path mast to dashboard for GPS antenna

[mannye]

I'm installing a Vesper XB-8000 AIS transponder on my 2019 C30 Sedan and need to run the GPS antenna wire from the mast to the compartment behind the dashboard. What is the wiring pathway from the mast to the dashboard used by the radar wires, and what is the best way to access the cabling bundle inside the cabin? Thank you!

 

[Bruce Moore]

Bumping post delayed in moderation queue.

 

[gswearin]

Hi Mannye,
I can't answer your question, but FYI, I have my XB-8000 antenna in by R29 in the same hatch right behind the helm as the unity is installed. Not the preferred location I'm sure but works just fine.

 

[mannye]

Thanks gswearin-I'm going to try mounting the XB-8000 GPS antenna behind the helm this weekend and see if there are any accuracy or interference issues when compared to an external temporary mount. I would still love to know how to access the mast wiring pathway to the dash for some future upgrades I hope to install. Thanks again for your advice.

 

[SJI Sailor]

I would try it in the helm compartment in the head before running to the mast.

For our C30S and Garmin AIS 800 we put the external GPS antenna in the electronics cabinet there, and it has worked 100% for 3+ years. (FWIW the internal Garmin antenna did not work reliably there; it needed the boost from the external puck, but no need to run it up.)

 

[mannye]

It's reassuring to know that the helm compartment GPS antenna placement should work for a 2019 C30 Sedan--I will give it a try and see what kind of satellite signal strength readings I get on the Vesper vmAIS Configuration and Status Utility GPS tab, and then try a temporary mount on the rail system above the cabin to see if there is a significant improvement in signal strength. Thank you, everyone, for the help!

 

[JunieBird]

Common question, I have a C-288 and would like to know the wiring path from the mast to the Garmin such that I can install a Sionyx night vision camera. I would look in the manual but there is not one yet for the C-288...

 

[RobMcClain]

Mannye, once you’ve concluded your antennae tests please give us an update on the results. I am most interested as I am intending to start a similar installation by late spring. Thanks!

 

[mannye]

I tested the satellite signal strengths and estimated positional accuracy with the Vesper GPS antenna mounted both inside the helm cabinet and on the mast, and really did not see a significant difference. For the sake of simplicity, I'm just going to leave the GPS antenna mounted in the cabinet behind the helm for now. If I figure out the wiring run up the mast from behind the dash in the future, I'll consider shifting the GPS antenna and mounting a Sionyx Nightwave camera later. Thank you.