How difficult is this electrical install?

[tim_ber]

I intend to fit AIS to my boat or radar to my new (for me) boat.

Have not bought it yet.

I am very practical with cars, buildings and an amateur electronics and electrical chap (a lot learnt from this forum) - all my work has always been signed off with compliments.

How difficult is radar and / OR AIS fitting though (as I know nothing yet and have not seen a manual yet).

OR, how much would a professional charge to fit AIS and RADAR? Ball park figure? And maybe tidy up / check the wiring as they go.

Thanks

 

[savageseadog]

It's pretty easy but then I'm an electronics engineer. It will depend on how difficult the cable runs are, which is the hardest bit in my opinion, whether there are specialised connectors, you will almost inevitably need to cut and rejoin cables some of which will need very careful consideration in terms of mechanical and electrical durability and environmental proofing.

 

[pvb]

Most of the labour content is related to planning and installing cable runs - something you can easily do yourself. You can usually plan cable installation to avoid having to cut and join the radar cable. Actual connections are simple. The other benefit of doing it yourself is that you'll know where everything is.

 

[david_bagshaw]

Ais is quite easy, Radar involves much more, bracketry for the scanner and mounting the display, with connections for the bits between. Not done a modern one but it is not like days of old where wave guide had to be silver soldered etc. If you can do a vhf connector there wont be too much difficulty with the radar, just many more wires, and shields.

 

[prv]

Modern radars keep all the sensitive bits nice and close together in the radome, then send processed data out via Ethernet. So the wiring is much easier and less finicky than before.

Pete

 

[tim_ber]

Thanks.
Feeling happier now.