R-27 Mast wire routing

[Admiral S]

I just purchased a new 2017 R-27. I want to add a FLIR camera to the mast. I see the wires come down the mast pipe and then through a grommet into a long cover on top of the pilot house. I basically want to follow the same path as the Radar dome down to the MFD. Does anyone know the path of the wire and how easy of a run this will be?

 

[Brian B]

I had to run a new GPS wire from the GPS puck to the Garmin, same route you are thinking of taking, this is not an easy task. My boat is a 25SC, the 27 layout is similar as far as I know.
First I would suggest you speak with Andrew or Kenny at the factory for advice on taking on this project, they may know of a shortcut.
I had to remove the mast, remove the stack cover, remove the center piece of the cabin overhead, drop another section of the overhead, remove the wood wire chase on the starboard side in the galley, remove the refrigerator, now you should be able to snake the wire following the existing wires. When re-installing the stack cover be sure to seal all screws as they may leak.

 

[Admiral S]

Thanks Brian! I figured it entailed most of that but I didn't think the refrigerator was part of the puzzle. Hopefully there is an easier way or a trick. Thanks! Seth

 

[DBBRanger]

I had to......... remove the wood wire chase on the starboard side ....

Can you tell me how you removed that part?

Also is removing the stack cover difficult? Can my spotlight and horns, which are attached to it remain attached?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Brian B]

Thanks Brian! I figured it entailed most of that but I didn't think the refrigerator was part of the puzzle. Hopefully there is an easier way or a trick. Thanks! Seth

The fridge is the easy part! If you need to remove it I can give you some tips..

 

[Brian B]

I had to......... remove the wood wire chase on the starboard side ....

Can you tell me how you removed that part?

Also is removing the stack cover difficult? Can my spotlight and horns, which are attached to it remain attached?

Thanks for the help!

On my boat there is one screw on the bottom and wood trim at the top of the wire chase. The horn can stay attached, not sure of the spotlight as mine is not on the cover. Remove the pin at the base of the mast and the mast assembly is free, there are screws around the perimeter of the stack cover.

 

[Admiral S]

Heard back from Andrew. He provided the following steps-

Typical routing of the wiring is as follows from the top of the cabin.
 
1. Remove smoke stack.
2. You will see a wire routing hole underneath that is sealed.  That will be the entry point or close to it.
3. Remove according headliner panels to access the wiring once you poke through under the stack.
4. Remove the starboard side teak rack that runs the vertical wall which hides the main wiring run.
5. Remove the refrigerator to access wiring underneath.
6. Run to behind the dash from there!

I will be starting the project the first week of May and will take photos to document the procedure and will update here

 

[Admiral S]

Hi All,

Did the install of the MD-625 camera this past weekend.
http://www.flir.com/marine/display/?id=59356

It was a Fishing Expedition and took a little longer than expected, but disassembly of the boat was kept to a minimum

Ultimately I was able to route all the wires by using a wire snake and string pull lines. I had to remove the Radar dome, Mast, and Smoke Stack cover on the exterior.

On the interior I removed the starboard lamp, and loosened the 120v Outlet box. This gave me a clean view of the wire chase.

Used the wire snake to go from the forward berth behind the helm to under the sink in the galley.
Pulled the wires down from the mast and through the interior and got everything connected up.

I did not want the camera powered on at all times so I tied into the spare 5amp breaker on the 12v panel. Ordered a custom label from Blue Sea so its clear the breaker is for the camera.

All in All I am pleased with the installation and everything is clean with no wires visible. I left extra pull lines so in the event I ever need to replace wires or add additional gadgets I wont need to go on a fishing expedition again. Will have pictures posted in my album shortly.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

nice work admiral. got any photos of the experience?

 

[Admiral S]

Added some photos to an Album

gallery2.php?g2_itemId=48182