Help with where to attach my new radar reflector

[Firefly625]

Hi All

well now my turbo issue is (nearly) put to bed, I've turned my attention to replacing my crappy old radar reflector. As jfm recently pointed out, its spoiling the boat.

For my birthday swmbo has kindly bought me a tri-lens radar reflector, now I thought I knew where it would go, as it comes with a mast mount and I would attach that to my scan strut upright my radar is mounted on and it would sit underneath the scanner nicely. However it doesn't fit!

As can be seen by the pic, I did think I could just mount it on top of the radar scanner itself, (the pics below are it just balanced on there to see what it would look like), but not sure I like the look and the lid of the radar slightly flexes with it sitting on top.

Another alternative, which I think I have decided is the best place would be if I could find a length of nice 316 grade mirror polished stainless steel about 300mm long, 75mm wide I could bolt to the underside horizontal stainless steel plate the radar scanner sits on and having it coming out in front of the scanner, I can then (once drilled a big hole) attached the tri-lens reflector from the top mount so it sits underneath the stainless steel extension therefore under the scanners sweep.

So a few questions, anyone know where I could get a nice bit of Ss like that? spotted this on fleebay, but hoping to find something a bit prettier (or a company to make a bit up) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181369083317?var=480363617525

Or anyone know of any other solutions I have not thought of..

pics, firstly with old crappy reflector in foreground, and tri-lens balanced on scanner lid.

pics of tri-lens on scanner lid.

thank in advance for the collectives help!

 

[Divemaster1]

What is wrong with the location of the old reflector ... You have a hole there already ... if not more??

 

[Firefly625]

What is wrong with the location of the old reflector ... You have a hole there already ... if not more??

Alf, well I will have to remove the old tube reflector and I was going to have the holes filled, the new reflector is quite a big and not sure it would look right sitting there, but it does cause a headache and your suggestion would be so simple. But being a much better spec reflector I am worried that it may be picked up by my own scanner..?

 

[CHI]

I have the same Tri-lens on my boat. You certainly dont want it mounted in the line of sight of your scanner.

Placed anywhere, above best choice or if not below.

Good Luck

Keith
CHI

 

[Divemaster1]

I'd go for simple ... try it and see ..... and I would not be worried as it will be below the scanner's beam there ...

... much worse if you put it in front of the scanner on a SS plate as you were thinking about...

You could even make up a hardwood wedge for the shape of the roofline if you wanted it level...

 

[Firefly625]

I'd go for simple ... try it and see ..... and I would not be worried as it will be below the scanner's beam there ...

... much worse if you put it in front of the scanner on a SS plate as you were thinking about...

You could even make up a hardwood wedge for the shape of the roofline if you wanted it level...

what I was thinking about would not have been the same level as the scanner, obviously I have not explained it well. The reflector would be mounted on the underside of the stainless mount, attaching the top of the reflector to the underside of the stainless steel extension/mount, so inverted so to speak, would not be in line.

 

[jfm]

As you know I hate the look of these things so I'm fuy sympathising that you need to put it in the right place. Mine was in the dummy sat dome hurrah

I definitely think your ss plate is the best answer. That would look pretty good to my eye. It feels a pretty simple job and £80 from a fabricator. Alternative is buy some 6 mm Ali plate from eBay and make the whole thing yourself. Very easy to work Ali of course. When done prime and paint gloss white. Just use domestic style dulux or whatever paint IMHO . Will look fab IMHO and perhaps £20 if you have the paint ready hanging around

Come to think of it, how's about 10mm opaque white gloss Perspex. Order online cut to custom size. No need to paint and will look pukka IMHO

 

[Firefly625]

ali painted white, had not thought of that, but your 10mm perpex idea tops the Ali plate so I'm off to search for perspex!

Cheers jfm!

 

[RogerRat]

ali painted white, had not thought of that, but your 10mm perpex idea tops the Ali plate so I'm off to search for perspex!

Cheers jfm!

Yep, sounds good.

I don't know them but I understand there is a perspex/acrylic supplier in Southampton fairly near the football stadium.

RR

 

[Firefly625]

Yep, sounds good.

I don't know them but I understand there is a perspex/acrylic supplier in Southampton fairly near the football stadium.

RR

Thanks Roger, now ordered a 10mm x 100mm x 300mm delivered for £6.15. Thinking I will coat with carbon fibre sheeting that I have. May look good?

 

[Firefly625]

popped down yesterday for a couple of hours. Was a very wet drive down the M3 and arrived to a dry Hamble so decided to get the reflector fitted to save being hassled on the w'end by swmbo..

fitted in 30 minutes..

nice to get old crappy plastimo reflector tube off

 

[CHI]

Really nice job. Well done. Perfect position

Keith
CHI

 

[z1ppy]

very tidy job, nice one

 

[SpottyDog5]

I've just mounted mine under the radar arch on my Rib, looks perfect.
What I also did was drill the end cap and ran a piece of cord though it just in case it "unscrewed"
The Tri-lens is supposed to be be way better than the junk you removed (I had the same).

 

[Firefly625]

thanks chaps!

 

[Firefly625]

I've just mounted mine under the radar arch on my Rib, looks perfect.
What I also did was drill the end cap and ran a piece of cord though it just in case it "unscrewed"
The Tri-lens is supposed to be be way better than the junk you removed (I had the same).

mmm, good thought Roy, I will do the same.

and indeed the tri-lens seems about a good as you get until you go for an active radar / sea-me etc.

those tubes are just hopeless, but amazing how many you see.

 

[SpottyDog5]

Ive just had my Rib recoded, so I decide to swap to the tri-lens, the surveyor commented on the improvement.
I think the tubes just play lip service to the requirement.
The only negative report was here
http://catalina42discussionforum.yu...em-with-Tri-Lens-Radar-Reflector#.U2PG915SWzc
Hence my bit of string.

 

[Firefly625]

Ive just had my Rib recoded, so I decide to swap to the tri-lens, the surveyor commented on the improvement.
I think the tubes just play lip service to the requirement.
The only negative report was here
http://catalina42discussionforum.yu...em-with-Tri-Lens-Radar-Reflector#.U2PG915SWzc
Hence my bit of string.

I did read that article, and interesting that my tri-lens came with a tube of thread lock glue and top and bottom mast mounts, I guess tri-lens dropping off a masts is more of an issue than either of our installations.