Wire Routing for 2nd GPS Antenna 2010 R-29

[kpilcher]

I would like to install a Garmin AIS 600 on my 2010 R-29. How do I route the GPS antenna cable from the mast to the wiring area behind the helm electronics?

 

[SGIDAVE]

I would like to install a Garmin AIS 600 on my 2010 R-29. How do I route the GPS antenna cable from the mast to the wiring area behind the helm electronics?

Hello Kpilcher,

WELCOME to Tugnuts. I see this is your first post.

I can't help with the routing of the wire for the second GPS antenna, however, could you accomplish the same result by hooking the AIS to the Garmin network whereby it would access GPS via the the main system? This is how you would add a second monitor to your system, for example, if you wanted another gps/sounder monitor in the cockpit for fishing.

Alternatively, our fiberglass boats are relatively transparent to gps signals and mounting the antenna 'outside' is not usually necessary. So, simply stick the new antenna on a shelf inside a cabinet at the helm or near where the AIS will be located.

Let us know how it works out,

/david

 

[walldog]

Dave, Good suggestion, however, it will not work. The AIS600 requires its own GPS puck.

Not sure about the 29, but it maybe basically the same route. Which is along the area above the helm door, back to the channel that has the light on it in the galley, down to the area behind cabinets and reefer, then up to AIS, which should be mounted behind the chartplotter. This is from memory and I am hoping that Andrew will chime in here, as they are returning from Poets Cove today.

 

[Todd]

Not sure why but the Garmin AIS 600 requires its own GPS antenna, which comes with the unit. I am also planning the installation on amy 29. Thought I would make a small stainless shelf about 12 inches long and bolt it to the current GPS antenna location allowing the two GPS antennas to be located side by side. Plan to contact Garmin to see how far apart they should be but I think leaving a 6 inches would do.

To run the wire, I had to run a new wire for the spot light, you need to remove the mast and set it aside on the roof. Put a blanket or packing pad on the roof to keep it from scratching or sliding around. then remove the fiberglass cap. you do not have to remove the mast mount. It is only attached to the fiberglass cap.

Inside you have to remove the headliner. this required removing all the button fasteners. Pop off the plastic caps to access the screws. Also have to remove the wood slats that hold up the headliner and the trim ring around the starboard hatch over the helm seat.

I was able to run the wire across the roof and snake it down behind the wood panel that has the stereo controls. Lower access was gained by removing the cabinent draws. Then snaked it forward to the hanging locker and you are there.

Real pain putting the headliner back without any wrinkles. Good Luck.

 

[kpilcher]

I would like to install a Garmin AIS 600 on my 2010 R-29. How do I route the GPS antenna cable from the mast to the wiring area behind the helm electronics?

Hello Kpilcher,

WELCOME to Tugnuts. I see this is your first post.

I can't help with the routing of the wire for the second GPS antenna, however, could you accomplish the same result by hooking the AIS to the Garmin network whereby it would access GPS via the the main system? This is how you would add a second monitor to your system, for example, if you wanted another gps/sounder monitor in the cockpit for fishing.

Alternatively, our fiberglass boats are relatively transparent to gps signals and mounting the antenna 'outside' is not usually necessary. So, simply stick the new antenna on a shelf inside a cabinet at the helm or near where the AIS will be located.

Let us know how it works out,

/david

David, Thanks for your reply to my question

 

[kpilcher]

Dave, Good suggestion, however, it will not work. The AIS600 requires its own GPS puck.

Not sure about the 29, but it maybe basically the same route. Which is along the area above the helm door, back to the channel that has the light on it in the galley, down to the area behind cabinets and reefer, then up to AIS, which should be mounted behind the chartplotter. This is from memory and I am hoping that Andrew will chime in here, as they are returning from Poets Cove today.

Thanks for your reply. I'm not sure what the overhead looks like on the R-29, but I agree that I'll need to route the cable down the teak "post" behind the helm seat. Lots of access in the 29 to the void behind the drawers and refrigerator and a clear shot to the hanging locker and instrument panel from there.

Ken

 

[kpilcher]

Not sure why but the Garmin AIS 600 requires its own GPS antenna, which comes with the unit. I am also planning the installation on amy 29. Thought I would make a small stainless shelf about 12 inches long and bolt it to the current GPS antenna location allowing the two GPS antennas to be located side by side. Plan to contact Garmin to see how far apart they should be but I think leaving a 6 inches would do.

To run the wire, I had to run a new wire for the spot light, you need to remove the mast and set it aside on the roof. Put a blanket or packing pad on the roof to keep it from scratching or sliding around. then remove the fiberglass cap. you do not have to remove the mast mount. It is only attached to the fiberglass cap.

Inside you have to remove the headliner. this required removing all the button fasteners. Pop off the plastic caps to access the screws. Also have to remove the wood slats that hold up the headliner and the trim ring around the starboard hatch over the helm seat.

I was able to run the wire across the roof and snake it down behind the wood panel that has the stereo controls. Lower access was gained by removing the cabinent draws. Then snaked it forward to the hanging locker and you are there.

Real pain putting the headliner back without any wrinkles. Good Luck.

Thanks for your reply Todd,

I am really hoping I don't have to take down the headliner to fish the cable from the mast area to the teak "post" behind the helm seat on an older 29. Once I'm to the post it's easy to route the cable to the locker, as you said.

Thanks for the advice about how to remove the fiberglass channel from the roof. I had the same idea for a small platform to mount the GPS antennas from the mast shelf where the the existing antenna is mounted. I've been looking at new R-31's and they appear to have the dual GPS antennas mounted 8-12 inches apart -- but I'll bet 6" is just fine for an Rx antenna at that wavelength. Please let me know what you find out from Garmin.

Ken