[C320-list] Upgrading instruments

[Rick Sulewski]

Marko,
I replaced my 1995 instruments a couple of years ago with ST60 Plus
including wind, depth, speed and auto-pilot. While my wind instrument
transducer died I went with a total replacement but used the older
cables/wire rather than pulling all of that thru the mast since I did the
instrument replacement with the mast up at dockside. All of the older wiring
worked with the new instrument heads and transducers, including the older
(but stronger) metal wind instrument transducer mount located at the top of
the mast that accepted the ST 60 wind instrument upgrade. I had always taped
the exposed wind instrument cable at the mast head as per the installer back
in 1995 so there was no deterioration of the wind cable. That cable tape
precaution paid off because we went with the local installer who did the
original instrument work before launch back in 1995. He delivered a break on
the install quote because we saved some serious install replacement time
this time around by using much of the original wiring.

A new wind transducer may be an attractive option for you with the mast down
for the winter layup. You could always install control heads and auto-pilot
later providing your speed and depth transducers are working, while both
will likely fail soon. I had  errant water temps and erratic speed readings
even after cleaning the knot meter wheel. May want to  check out the latest
and greatest instruments now available because there are some wireless
options available today as well as easy to read LED  lit control heads that
use less power. Best deals may be available from your local installer who
may have access to end of the year deals and  discounted replacement parts.

I have a pod with 4 control head instruments (wind, depth, speed,
auto-pilot) so your Tridata replacement should not be a problem and may
result in greater savings. The ST60 heads do require the installer to cut a
larger hole for the control head in the instrument pod and the leads to the
control head have  different connectors that must replace the older control
head connectors. I went with the Raymarine  X-5 auto pilot with S-1 drive
unit and ST60 series control head.  The X-5 computer module with auto-learn
program is a big upgrade but the S-1 drive unit is considerably stronger but
louder than the ST4000 drive. 

The total equipment and installation was $3K plus tax because the installer
could get a better price on new replacement equipment as a dealer than I
could secure on the internet. It helps to openly compare what you can
purchase vs. what the installer will pay for the instruments. Even
understanding that costs have gone up over the last few years, for the
smaller difference now as then there may be advantages with an installer
deal rather a DIY project. I could have done the  work myself and at best
saved about $100 hundred dollars (derived from  a partial sales tax savings
for the internet purchases). Considering  the increased opportunity to cross
wire and/or fail to properly test the new work, I do not regret going with
an installer.  I happily gave him my old instruments for a job well done at
his very total reasonable cost. He spent about 4 hours with a helper to
complete the job without having to run new mast wires, but did have to
complete the additional work that involved routing an additional cable up
through the helm tubing from the starboard corner storage locker due to the
X-5 computer addition.  You might attempt to swing an installation
deal/discount if your wind and Tridata control heads are still working as
there is an installer service market for older instrument parts. 

Online costs for instrument replacements used to run as follows: X-5
auto-pilot about $1,600. For ST60 Plus separate depth and speed instrument
control heads (desired larger numerals vs. Tridata head) that also included
new speed and depth transducers were running at that time about $700.  The
wind system cost was about $800 or around $375 just for the wind transducer.
The $3000 replacement equipment and installation quote plus the cost of the
sales tax was the best deal for me rather than the internet purchase and
aggravation of a DIY day or more of lost time for a total cost savings of
$100.

Rick
My-Ria 
1995 320 Hull #277

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Marko Jamnik
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2012 4:31 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Upgrading instruments

I presently have an Autohelm tridata with an ST4000 autopilot. It's the
original system from '95. The system worked well up till a couple of years
ago. Now my wind instrument has gone silent and I believe the problem lies
at the top off the mast. Since my mast is unstepped it seems an appropriate
time to assess the problem or look at an upgrade. Am I better off to replace
the complete system with a more compatible system or replace what doesn't
work. Is there an upgrade that will be easy to replace like a St50 or 60.
And where should I look to get the best deal

Happy holidays

Marko
#304
Lake Ontario