Recently purchased "Tranquility" 1992 wing keel Hull 1176...instruments need updating. Considering wireless options to backup Garmin Echo chartplotter as wind at mast head is shot. We want to reduce/mangage power consumption. Hoping wireless will be easier to install. Want depth, temp, boat speed, wind speed and direction with related information in this system backed up by the Garmin. Appreciate any thoughts on the matter. Much appreciate this site and all of the wonderful additions, advice and improvements folks have made...inspiring! Much to learn!!! Thanks in advance...~John
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J Wm Skawski
Tranquility
1992 Wing
#1176
Les & Trish Troyer
Mahalo
Everett, WA
1983 C-36 Hull #0094
C-36 MK 1 Technical Editor.
Commodore
I too am in need of replacing the wind instruments. I have the Garmin GPSMAP 7608 and would like to get the bundle for wind and depth. I talked to a Garmin rep at a boat show last year and inquired about the wireless vs wired. He said the wireless only has a range of 50' and on a larger boat may not always be reliable so I have been holding off on a purchase until I here of someone else that has one and is working reliably.
Tim
Tim Askew
S/V Allure
1990 Catalina 36 Hull # 1079
Std Rig, Wing Keel, M25XP
3 Blade Auto Prop
Elizabeth City, NC
I am not a fan of wireless technlogy on boats. Is there something wrong or difficult with sizing your battery capacity needs on a C36? Just my three cents worth.
2003 Catalina 36
We haven't lived with the boat long enough to know what the current system can do...I was thinking more intuitively, taking advantage of free energy when and whereever possible.
J Wm Skawski
Tranquility
1992 Wing
#1176
I'll just relate a wireless instrument story from one of the folks in the local sailing club that installed a wireless wind measuring device.
Seems every time he would use his VHF radio, with its 'top of the mast' mounted VHF antenna, it would drive the wireless wind instrument out of calibration.
According to his reasoning; It seems at 50 feet, the RF signal generated by the wind instrument is just marginaly strong enough to reach the helm position, then, add in the presence of a strong RF signal generated by the VHF radio and things went bad quickly. Even though the instruments operate at different RF frequencies, the VHF transmitter would overwhelm the wireless wind instrument and cause significant operation & calibration problems. He eventually took the instrument out and sold it on e-bay.
I can't imagine what would happen to it if a more powerful SSB radio was used.
Bill
Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041 'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'
Hi Friends,
Our lovely boat had an old chart plotter and no instrumentation when we purchased her. I replaced the chart plotter with a beautiful new Raymarine unit. I added a Raymarine auto pilot as well. For the instruments (speed,depth, wind and temp, etc.)I used the wireless TicTack product from Raymarine. Three years now with no issues. I have not noticed any issues with the wireless stuff during VHF radio transmissions. As far as power draw is concerned, the instruments have a little tiny solar panels to charge them (internal back up battery). They still use ship's 12 volt power as a primary source, but they dont have to. All told all my stuff operating only creates 2-3 amps load. All perfect for our mission.
Cheers,
PO
Paul O,
S/V Pelican
1989 Catalina 36 Mk I #894
Oceanside, California
Appreciate your respective replies. Decision to be made this week...
J Wm Skawski
Tranquility
1992 Wing
#1176
Appreciate your respective replies. Decision to be made this week...
J Wm Skawski
Tranquility
1992 Wing
#1176