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Moore Outfitting Fun

A

AntsUiga

Silver Alert Moore 24
My plans for Silver Alert, Moore 24 #70 have been in flux (or stagnant) since I bought the boat. Current plans are to get ready for WA360 in July 2025.

Today’s chore was to figure out the masthead electronics, adding a masthead tri-color light (USCG compliance and common sense), VHF whip antenna (better radio communication and AIS receiving and transmitting), masthead wind instruments (connect to Pelagic for wind based steering), and a good old fashioned windex as a wind indicator backup.

There is not much real estate at the top of the Moore mast. Here’s a photo of the situation. Can it all be mounted - probably Yes. Will the masthead look respectable - to be determined.

The mast used to have a tube for wiring, even though it seems to have been removed and the double holes at 4 foot intervals are all that is left.


IMG_7158.jpeg
 
On my Olson 30 it's a similar issue where the real estate is very limited. This photo isn't exactly current but one thing you could think about is using a windex that fits on the VHF, it's one of the models they make. Frees up some space. I think the little square block riser under the antenna is so the pointer of the windex will clear the masthead light. The anchor light was replaced with a tricolour and this shows a mount for an old signet anemometer. It might look like the antenna would block the light but in practice it doesn't very much.

IMG_20150423_124916287.jpeg
 
AntsUiga said:
[snip]
The mast used to have a tube for wiring...
Click to expand...
I pulled the wiring tube out of my mast a while back. The VHF cable now runs through some dyneema chafe sleeve that is fixed at the masthead. The cable exits the sleeve a few feet from the base of the mast. Once the sleeve is tensioned, it keeps the cable from slapping inside the mast.
Sam
 
On Mas we used a g10 plate we mounted to the mast head to mount everything to the top of the mast. We also placed the vhf on a side mount on the starboard side of the mast right at the top.

Re wires. We ran them in a dynemma chafe cover
 
Thanks for suggestions and ideas. There are compromises to consider.
I have the windex that mounts on VHF antenna, however it does seem worth the extra effort to make that happen. The antenna will block the light and some additional material is needed to have windex swing above the light. A smaller dinghy windex seems easier to work with. Both are shown in the photo.
The cardboard cutout is the size of the top of the mast. The 3/8 inch thick aluminum plate is the extender for mounting, and will be trimmed to fit.
I like suggestions on a sleeve to hold wires (vhf/wind signal/electrical) to hold them together. Maybe the existing double holes in mast can be used to tie a loop around the wires (internally) and secure to edge of mast.

IMG_7162.jpeg
 
Thanks to those that posted to fill in my knowledge gap.
A G10 sheet is in hand. The price is steeper than aluminum plate, but I really like isolating the SS screws and the aluminum mast.

The dyneema mesh sleeve to restrain wires in the mast is a very nice idea, and much easier to complete compared to conduit inside the mast.

The Weems and Plath sonic wind instruments is outside my budget. The price will not likely come down enough during my lifetime.

Finally, thanks for the information on tuned antennas. That seems very good and affordable. I presume a splitter device is still needed below decks.

There are lot of new stuff, I appreciate the help and suggestions.

Ants
 
Moving on to a concurrent project Solar panels, Gensun panel controllers, batteries, and battery monitor.
The pieces: Two 52 watt solbian panels, Two Gensun panel controllers for lithium batteries, three 30AH lithium phosphate batteries, and a Masterlink battery monitor. I have the installation instructions for all of these, and am looking for a quick reality check since the systems are new to me.

Question 1 to confirm, each solar panel goes through a controller and connects directly to battery (no fuse or off switch). If I want to disconnect solar power from batteries, I need to unbolt the connection.

Question 2 the 3 batteries are connected in parallel to a single ON/OFF master switch before going to fuse box for autopilot, navigation lighting, interior lighting, and instruments. The Battery monitor has the capability to individually monitor each battery, but only if each battery is wired as a separate battery bank. Since I have a single, three battery bank, the Battery Monitor reports a single number for all three. Installation manual says all three batteries can be connected in parallel and each battery has it own built-in battery management system

Once I get power and storage sorted, then it is time to check amp draw in each circuit (4 of them), size wires per ABYC, and put correct size circuit breaker into panel. Currently all circuit breakers are 15-amp.

PS. If you're familiar with a Moore 24, there is a small storage place under cockpit sole and below the hatch. About 1/3 of that space will hold the batteries with battery access and wiring at aft end. It was a pleasant surprise to see the battery fit in a horizontal manner that is approved by Mastervolt.

Making slow but steady progress,

Ants
 
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