[C320-list] Upgrading instruments

[Marko Jamnik]

Thanks Rick for your detailed summary. I will keep you posted.

My winter project aways

Marko
Marquesas #304
Lake Ontario



On 2012-12-14, at 10:23 PM, Rick Sulewski wrote:

> 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
> 
>