Installing the Garmin 3010 Network

on

Java a 2003 Hunter 356

Some times after you have completed a project, you look back and wonder either ‘why did do this’ or ‘Wow I did that’. This started out because my ‘First Mate’ = wife could not read our Garmin 176 GPS mounted at the helm. She almost ran us aground.

That did it! From her mouth came “I can’t stand this I need a bigger display – FIX IT!!!!”

Being the faithful husband that I’m, “OH Boy I get to spend money on the boat! – can do”. We already had about $400 invested in Garmin Bluecharts so I didn’t want to change to another vendor and besides I liked the Garmin line. We attended the Annapolis boat show in fall of 2005 and decided on the Garmin 3010 which is a multifunction display with GPS and has a 10 inch screen. We got a great deal on the full networked version of the 3010 and the credit card took another hit for the boat. So let the fun begin: The Garmin 3010 http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap3010c/ network includes a multifunction display (MFD), GPS, Sonar with speed, XM satellite receiver for weather and radio. Read the instructions and read them again. Identified all the pieces. It was at this time I found out the Power/Data cable for the MFD was only 6ft long – I needed about 15ft. Called Garmin tech support – sorry that’s the only size we make. Garmin must think they only sell these to power boaters where everything is under the console. Post to HOW for help. Searched around for a cable that had at least 10 wires to carry the data lines and I would run a separate cable for power. Thought I had found a couple of suppliers but always turned into dead ends. Final remembered – Hey you yes you – at work we had lots of serial data cables – twisted pair, shielded, just what I needed. (fig 1) just a little out of focus.

data cable

Fig 1

Next , I needed a place to install all of this hardware and yet be close enough for the cables that needed to be run. On the H356, the port locker is large enough to hold several screaming Grandchildren so why not the electronics. Looking back against the aft bulkhead there was sufficient space and close to the cable run to the pedestal. One of the big pains was running a power cable back fro the port locker thru the conduit to the power panel. I don't know which genius at Hunter designed this, but the exit is up above the isolators with about 3 inches of space. It was almost inaccesable. You have to take off the panel where the vhf radio is and be ready to swear a lot.

Across the top is data cables running up to the pedestal. To the right are cable runs back to the power panel.

Fig 2

Now that I had an area, its time to take apart the pedestal guard and plan how this is going to work. First problem was the size of the pod to hold the MFD. Using the existing pedestal guard it would cover part of the instruments. This is where I started sliding down that slope of paying paying paying...... Talking with Lewmar that said "No problem you have an 03 H356 and the pedestal guard splits apart behind the instrument pod. "Want to BET". Fig 3

pedestal guard

Fig 3

Lewmar stated that I had the "D" pedestal - notice the base looks like the letter "D", and should have the split guard. I had to send them this picture to convince them I had the standard continuous guard. See all those wires coming out of the port guard leg. Well they go down under the floor and back into the port locker area. Now I had to purchase the complete split guard, new base plate and wait for it to arrive. So I continued to rip things apart.

instrument pod

Fig 4

This is what the old pod looked like - a bunch of jumbled wires - a real rats nest.

So while it was cold outside, I setup shop in the basement. I had a piece of white board that I measured and laid out the components that will need to be mounted. Fig 5

This took some time since I was trying to minimize the wires that had to cross and ensure everything fit. After mounting everything I supplied power to ensure everything worked. Even though I was in the basement I was still able to receive information from GPS satellites. Which amazed me.

mounted

Fig 6

This picture shows all of the equipment mounted on the aft bulkhead. Still need to clean up the wires. You can see in the upper left hand corner where the wires are coming in from the pedestal. Now that I had received the new pedestal guard and base plate that fits on top of the pedestal, it was time to head to the boat. It was about this time I found out the base plates where very different. So much so, the instrument pod would not fit. You can see the difference in the left hand picture. Figs 7 & 8

This turned into a real mess. Now I had to go back to Lewmar and order a different instrument pod which I did through Defender. So now I have to completely replace the pod and pedestal guard. Just what I wanted to do. Spend more money. I don't have any pictures of me running the wires up through the guard, but believe me it was a serious pain in the ass. I wish I had some of that slick stuff for running wires. It might have made it easier. Then to top things off, I had run the cables and had forgot to put the base plate on the leg before running the cables. This meant I had to take everything out and start over. Just what you need for an excuse to drink a lot of beer.

Fig 9

This picture is of the new pod with the cable already run up the leg. Going from left right: Hole where the cable come into the pod, Ram mike, top center is a led light with switch, center is a wire bus bar for distrubuting the power, right side is a 12volt power outlet. The led light is something new. Back in Feburary I was on a new Catlaina 309 and saw a led on the intrument pod - it was neat. So I got to have one of those.

Fig 10

Here is the completed pedestal.

I thought real hard and long and consultanted several other boaters plus walking around seeing were everyone was mounting their GPS antennas. I finally figured out that I could mount it on the top of the steel arch. It would have a clear view of the sky and be easy to run its cable to port locker. I ran it along side of the speaker wires that are also in the arch. One of the things that scares me about the GPS antenna is getting hooked by a line and ripped off its mount. Not something I wanted. SO...

Fig 11

Fig 12

Can't ask for a better spot.

Fig 13

Finally everything is done - Lets go Sailing

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