instalation of Garmin GRF-10 rudder angle indicator

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On a 2017 R31S Purchased GRF-10 from GPS Store $199.00 . Then after talking with Garmin Support ordered from them the GRA-10 which is a NEMA 2000 adaptor for the GRF it includes the backbone extension "T" and 12' of cable and has bare ends. I also ordered an extension cable 11829 which is the 8 pin analog plug that is on the end of the rudder angle indicator an analog device. Measured and cut the 11829 making sure I had the right end to match the rudder angle indicator 31' total both cables gives you about 2' extra and there is a 5' tail on the rudder angle indicator. Crimping is the preferred way to attach bare ends so I heat shrinked the unused conductors you only need the red, yellow , black and drain or bare wire, on the GRA-10 there were two blacks which under further inspection one of them is the drain, by the time it has entered the cover of the cord you can see that it is bare. Removed the refrigerator, there is the backbone on my boat, fished the cable thru the space not very hard except if you have someone that is skinny and flexible it helps a lot. I mounted the GRF above the steering ram on the starboard side for two reasons.1 the rudder post is on an angle, so being 2" higher gives you a better chance of lining up the piviot on the GRF with the piviot on the rudder post. 2 on the portside on my boat you are right on top of the pump for the trimtabs and engine hatch. See the pictures on my gallery. I will do another post here to talk about the mast on the rudder arm. 😉

 

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The rudder mast is in the existing hole in the rudder arm. it consists of a 1/4 -20 female post from WELDMOUNT systems
with washers and a nylon bushing as the hole is bigger that the stainless female post, found ss washers with inside diameter larger than the post and 1/4- 20 stainless bolt used blue thread lock and cranked it down. Glued a ss 1/4- 20 male stud post from WELDMOUNT 1 1/4 high on to the flat of the female post with AT-8040. then put another female post with a jam nut. I had to find a small piece of stainless to 8040 to the flat of the post as the plastic ball and socket adapter that comes with the GRF-10 is just the size of the flat and the holes for it pierce the sides of the flat but it felt better with the thin piece of stainless to support the ball and socket adapter. There is a Sketch #1 in the gallery of this. I also mounted the platform I made with the WELDMOUNT studs and AT-4080, to the inside of the transom, longer male studs for top as the angle of the transom requires the top be spaced out with ss washers and ss jam nuts behind the platform. The web site on the WELDMOUNT system shows them beating on the studs and breaking them, I have not used them before so we shall see. 😛