All,
I'm finally getting around to installing the radar arch that I bought at the factory garage sale in Jan and the used radar that I bought a month or two later. I've already positioned the arch where it needs to be and drilled the holes in the roof to attach the base of each leg to the roof. I've also done a test fit to see if the cable from my Furuno 1712 will fit through the currently existing hole in the cross member (it won't) and though the arch in general (it will fit through the tube but I am fairly certain it won't make the bend). Before I complete the installation, I have a few questions...
1) Since the cable won't make the bend in the radar arch, I am left with cutting a slot in the tubing just below the bend or on the corner at the top. I'm leaning towards cutting a long slot (2-3") just below the bend on the inside of the bend.
a) does this make sense or is there a better way?
b) How to cut a decent slot in the side of stainless steel tubing? I have a normal collection of tools but am not sure on how to approach this.
2) What should I use a sealant to seal the holes in the roof? I was planning on 5200 but recent posts from Bob Austin in another thread (vague memory) make me think maybe I should use a more standard silicone.
3) I am also thinking about spacing the bases a bit off the roof with perhaps a silicone pad that is slotted or even some stainless washers. The though is to leave room for water that condenses or otherwise finds it's way inside to escape. Another option is to drill a small hole through the tube at the low side of each support base. Again I have a vague recollection of someone complaining about water collecting inside the radar arch legs - comments, thoughts?
4) Any other gotcha's I should consider?
The radar arch was purchased as much for the radar as for the rocket launcher rod holders so the simpler PVC pipe mount that Bob Austin is fond of is not what I'm after. Advice on how to best install what I have would be much appreciated.
I'm finally getting around to installing the radar arch that I bought at the factory garage sale in Jan and the used radar that I bought a month or two later. I've already positioned the arch where it needs to be and drilled the holes in the roof to attach the base of each leg to the roof. I've also done a test fit to see if the cable from my Furuno 1712 will fit through the currently existing hole in the cross member (it won't) and though the arch in general (it will fit through the tube but I am fairly certain it won't make the bend). Before I complete the installation, I have a few questions...
1) Since the cable won't make the bend in the radar arch, I am left with cutting a slot in the tubing just below the bend or on the corner at the top. I'm leaning towards cutting a long slot (2-3") just below the bend on the inside of the bend.
a) does this make sense or is there a better way?
b) How to cut a decent slot in the side of stainless steel tubing? I have a normal collection of tools but am not sure on how to approach this.
2) What should I use a sealant to seal the holes in the roof? I was planning on 5200 but recent posts from Bob Austin in another thread (vague memory) make me think maybe I should use a more standard silicone.
3) I am also thinking about spacing the bases a bit off the roof with perhaps a silicone pad that is slotted or even some stainless washers. The though is to leave room for water that condenses or otherwise finds it's way inside to escape. Another option is to drill a small hole through the tube at the low side of each support base. Again I have a vague recollection of someone complaining about water collecting inside the radar arch legs - comments, thoughts?
4) Any other gotcha's I should consider?
The radar arch was purchased as much for the radar as for the rocket launcher rod holders so the simpler PVC pipe mount that Bob Austin is fond of is not what I'm after. Advice on how to best install what I have would be much appreciated.