Searider 5.4m gizmo additions!! - AIS, Spotlights, Handheld Spotlight and Active x

Knot Yet · 15 November 2009, 15:18

As many of you know I've had hubby (Knot Yet 2) wiring up all the "essential"

extra's I've bought for our Searider.

I've taken some pictures of the job - as I thought they might be of use for anyone else trying to impersonate Blackpool illuminations

Console inside before additons were added (apologies for the poor quality)

We needed to add an extra metre width to the top of our A frame in order to accomodate the various electronics - the aerials needed to be at least a metre apart. We had the local steel fabricator build a 1.05m x 3mm galvanised steel bar that has been fixed to the existing plate on the top of the A frame - all the wiring then feeds down the inside of the glavanised a frame tubing

Using industrial conduit @25mm we then painstakingly feed metres of wire through the conduit piping

Which in turn feed under the centre console

Cont .....

Knot Yet · 15 November 2009, 15:26

A battery cut off switch was added

And a lamp socket for a hand held spotlight

The console wiring became slightly more complicated

For the AIS (Engine 2) and Echo Max Active X Radar reflector we needed to ensure a dry installation. The driest area on our RIB is inside the jockey console as this is a sealed unit. Using a good quality tupperware box and lots of marine mastic both units were fitted

With the awful weather we have had recently there is no sign of water ingress or condensation - so we hope this works in the real world when at sea!! We realise there is a risk that water will get in but felt it was worth taking - will update you once we have trialled it

In addition to the new gizmos we also swapped the GPS for a newer version (GPSMAP 550S), wired the radio to the GPS in order to facilitate the DSC function and added an old speaker so the AIS and Active X could be heard above the noise of the RIB

Windscreen still to be attached

We still need to install the GPS tracker

Finally when I say we - that's more of a royal we as I had hubby doing all the work - I watched !! - so if I can't help answer any questions I'm sure he will be able to!!

J

JSP · 15 November 2009, 15:31

Nice work KY2

Give him a brake now KY and don't buy anymore

Downhilldai · 15 November 2009, 15:34

Your A-frame reminds me of a 1980s Ford Capri

Knot Yet · 15 November 2009, 15:38

DHD - I think thats where the spotlights once belonged

...seriously!!!

JSP - ahhh alright then .... for now!!

chewy · 15 November 2009, 16:20

Looks good, have you raised your all round white light so its a metre above the red/green?

Channel Ribs · 15 November 2009, 16:28

Superb photo post.

Thats is as excessive an installation on a 5m boat as I have seen in a long time, I love it!

I do hope Mr KY will be having a well earned rest by now.

Chris · 15 November 2009, 16:36

Wow that's a lot of gizmo's !

matt h · 15 November 2009, 16:42

jeeezus Mrs, it aint never going to float with that lot on the A Frame!! ive seen less equipment on a Supertanker!!

Radar reflector, Ais!! where the bloody ell you going

Knot Yet · 15 November 2009, 16:47

you lot are rotten - lol

Okay so slightly excessive but I figure we can always transfer them onto the supertanker when we upgrade!!

Matt - well the longest trip so far has been Cowes and back *hangs head in shame* - have not yet worked out what that equates to in pennies per mile

J

chewy · 15 November 2009, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knot Yet

Matt - well the longest trip so far has been Cowes and back *hangs head in shame* - have not yet worked out what that equates to in pennies per mile

J

Don't try to work it out!

Rogue Wave · 15 November 2009, 16:50

Nice landie!

Nice stuff. I'm a great believer in the lock and seal tupperware box on a rib.

nice job don't worry about how much it costs per mile just keep buying fuel as opposed to upgrading to a Ribeye or a Ribcraft.

An' here I go again on my own, Goin' down the only road I've ever known

ashbypower · 15 November 2009, 17:01

Great Job, have you a Aux Genny to run that lot?

Do you find your compass heading is out? as it appears not to be parallel to your keel .

matt h · 15 November 2009, 17:06

Jean, it will be splendid fun tho

Knot Yet · 15 November 2009, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Looks good, have you raised your all round white light so its a metre above the red/green?

Not really Chewy - it was more of making them fit rather than giving the proper clearance

Brian - we are planning on taking a spare battery to start with - just in case

Re the compass - that's a useful observation - I just screwed it on rather than align it - might have to look at that - how embarassing that the only bit I did I did wrong!!!

Matt - really looking forward to getting out to see if it all works - fingers crossed!!

Leapy · 15 November 2009, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

nice job don't worry about how much it costs per mile just keep buying fuel as opposed to upgrading to a Ribeye

Oh boy, here we go. Fantastic. Upgrading from an Avon to a Ribeye. Fantastic...

Knot Yet · 15 November 2009, 17:29

Oh no lets not ... second thoughts any spare popcorn Leapy

Leapy · 15 November 2009, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knot Yet

Oh no lets not ... second thoughts any spare popcorn Leapy

Oh no, sorry KY, the popcorns all mine. I'll be stuck here all night now waiting for the Ribnet mafia to speak. Avon? Upgrade to Ribeye? Oh boy!!! What a classic

Knot Yet · 15 November 2009, 18:03

It does add a whole new dimension to forum entertainment

Rogue Wave · 15 November 2009, 18:17

lighten up guys It was a tounge in cheek comment

Mind you got a bite though. any chance of a fishing Icon