2005 280DA Radar and Chartplotter Installation/Upgrade

mjoplin

Member
Oct 10, 2016
123
Houston, TX
Boat Info
2005 Sundancer 280
Engines
Twin 4.3 Mercruiser
We bought this 280 last fall, knowing I'd have to do something about the electronics. It came with the original Ray 215 VHF complete with rotted mic cord and an older Lowrance chartplotter that could no longer be updated with current maps.

I'd peeked under the helm and was not too impressed with the original wiring job, whoever installed the chartplotter had that and the N2K bus powered off the cigarette lighter and there was no NMEA 0183 between the VHF and chartplotter for lat/long info.

The VHF came first. I got a Standard Horizons VHF to install and I fabricated a new mounting plate from aluminum to place it back in the same hole the Ray 215 came from. I did this last fall, prepping for the larger installation.

I was amazed at the poor wiring job and all the "stuff" I pulled from the old installation. Once out, I ran a sub-panel from the Accy#1 feed to power the VHF and Chartplotter using the Accy #1 switch on the helm as a radio master. I bought a Seaview tower and light assy to mount the Raymarine Quantum radar. I ran power to the radar assy from Accy #2 in the aft EIM, running up the arch. The wiring diagrams and wire markings from SeaRay are great. One note to anyone else hooking up to Accy #1 or #2. The wires are listed as coiled and terminated. That translates to look in the first inch of the wiring bundle coming from the EIM plug, the yellow and violet wire is right there with a butt connector attached.

Installation of the eS78 chartplotter was reasonably simple, sealing everything with a healthy dose of 3M 4200. I had to take the boat to MarineMax to get it hauled out and the new transponder installed.

Got a great deal on the chartplotter package at West Marine, bundled with eS78, Quantum radar, transponder, and one year of Navionics+ for under $2K after sale, coupons, etc.

Very pleased with it. Clean install, got rid of a lot of loose and poorly installed wiring, have a great chartplotter/sonar/radar setup, and finally have the boat set up the way I want it!

FINISHED INSTALLATION AT HELM


FINISHED INSTALLATION OF RADAR ANTENNA
I replaced the anchor light/nav light bulb with a bright 6K LED. It is just about blinding if you are too close. No way to be missed at night now!

SUB PANEL INSTALLATION BELOW HELM
All the wires are managed and labeled and I also edited a copy of the original SeaRay schematic adding in the new wiring for future reference in my maintenance logs. Left a slot for NMEA 2K power for future expansion as I intend to add a bridge to the Mercruiser bus later on down the road.

ALL THE CRAPPY CRAP THAT CAME OUT (wires neatly managed and labeled now)
Note all the piggy back spade plugs they used to get power from the cigarette lighter.....
 
Looks very nice! Sucks having to clean up someone else's mess, but it's gratifying.

Had you considered flush-mounting the display in the spot where the VHF is? VHF could below the steering wheel. Had a friend with a 280 and had that setup.
 
No I hadn't. ...but you have me thinking about a re-work if the measurements work out....

Looks very nice! Sucks having to clean up someone else's mess, but it's gratifying.

Had you considered flush-mounting the display in the spot where the VHF is? VHF could below the steering wheel. Had a friend with a 280 and had that setup.
 
So, where would I find the positive/negative wires that would power up using the Accy #1 and #2? Would it be under the helm somewhere, or under the throttle levers in that hatch with the other electronics? I was able to tap into the FWD Accy years ago, but could never find what powered the Accy #1 and #2?
 
So, where would I find the positive/negative wires that would power up using the Accy #1 and #2? Would it be under the helm somewhere, or under the throttle levers in that hatch with the other electronics? I was able to tap into the FWD Accy years ago, but could never find what powered the Accy #1 and #2?

You have to look at the wiring diagram. It will tell you what EIM is controlled by the switch and will give you the pin out for the circuit you want. The line coming from then EIM is the positive side of the circuit. You can terminate the negative side where ever you want, just go to the nearest ground buss.

Henry



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Had you considered flush-mounting the display in the spot where the VHF is? VHF could below the steering wheel. Had a friend with a 280 and had that setup.

Another option is relocate the fuel guage to the right of the upper cluster, and mount it there. That was the setup I had with a C80, snd it was really nice. I posted a pic here on CSR a bunch of years back.
 
Another option is relocate the fuel guage to the right of the upper cluster, and mount it there. That was the setup I had with a C80, snd it was really nice. I posted a pic here on CSR a bunch of years back.

thats how mine was set up on my 280 too......it had a C80 on a bracket with the wiring passing through the old gauge hole.....
 
[B said:
FINISHED INSTALLATION AT HELM[/B]

Could you give me the measurements of the plate you made for the VHF, I have a similar unit and same problem. The plate you made looks fantastic!

THanks!
 
Could you give me the measurements of the plate you made for the VHF, I have a similar unit and same problem. The plate you made looks fantastic!

THanks!

A quick shameless plug: I have had these made and machine cut for the Ray 215 opening and I do have them available - PM me if interested.

-Kevin
 
Boat is getting bottom paint at the moment, will have it back this weekend and will send you the measurements. I had a small sheet of ~ 1/8" aluminum and cut it out of that, coated in zinc oxide, and painted.

Could you give me the measurements of the plate you made for the VHF, I have a similar unit and same problem. The plate you made looks fantastic!

THanks!
 
Love those little fuse panels. Got one in my Yamaha Grizzly for aux lights, hand warmers, and stereo
 
Boat is getting bottom paint at the moment, will have it back this weekend and will send you the measurements. I had a small sheet of ~ 1/8" aluminum and cut it out of that, coated in zinc oxide, and painted.
That would be great, Thanks!
 
Could you give me the measurements of the plate you made for the VHF, I have a similar unit and same problem. The plate you made looks fantastic!

THanks!
Template attached as an upload. Let me know if you have issues with pulling it down. I made mine from 1/8" aluminum plate, coated in zinc chromate, and painted black. Didn't note it on the drawing, but did counter sink the screw holes so the mounting screws would go flush.
 

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