Josh and the electronic technician Kevin were back before we had finished coffee this morning. Kevin checked Josh's wiring connections from the day before and gave him specific instructions on what needed to connected and to what. The talking parts include the radar, chart plotter, AIS unit, depth sounder , VHF radio and autopilot. No small feat getting all these instruments of various age and from different manufacturers to work and play well with each other.
We had questions about having the autopilot connected to the chart plotter. Initially we had thought we would not connect the autopilot to the plotter. We don't rely on the chart plotter to direct the autopilot to steer the boat. Too risky, we prefer to have a live body near the helm. We use the autopilot and the chart plotter but only with adult supervision. Ralph the RJ in RJ Marine told us we absolutely should have the two connected in order to get proper bearings for the radar overlay.
After finding out our autopilot does not have a flux gate compass, and figuring out where the rest of the connections were for the remaining equipment, Kevin gave Josh detailed instructions and moved on to his next assignment.
The install went pretty smooth, we had some issues with getting the VHF hooked in but a quick call to Kevin resolved that. We did have to take the panel off the wall at the nav station that holds the unit to check the wiring. That got the CSO riled up, she made her presence known.
The fit of the new unit into the existing pod went well and looks fabulous. The last bit to be done was the autopilot and that's when the boat gremlins poked out their ugly heads. The connector where the autopilot joins between the cockpit and the interior of the boat disintegrated in poor Josh's hand. It will have to be replaced and isn't a part they have on hand, requiring it to be ordered. Damn!
Josh completed the remainder of the work and gave me a brief overview of the system. Everything is working well together, the screen is amazing, AIS targets show, the charts are up to date and in many more bits of color and resolution. The radar overly is very cool. Now we just have to get the autopilot up and running.
We had originally intended to rent a car on Wednesday and return it on Friday, with the plan of closing up the condo and moving on full time Friday. Now with having to wait for the part, this plan doesn't look promising.
After Josh left we buttoned up the boat and headed back to the condo.
It isn't the best picture but this is one shot of the new chart plotter.