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RADAR Alarm volume

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S/V Rapture

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Jul 30, 2002, 9:40:11 AM7/30/02
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I have the Autohelm ST-50 instrument and autopilot series connected to
the 300 computer. Sea talk connection also to the Pathfinder SL 70
type RADAR. Question I wish to increase the volume for the alarm in
the RADAR. Raymarine suggest buying their NMEA Sea Talk interface box
($150.00) connect a buzzer to the alarm switch and Sea Talk to the
computer though not sure if it will work for the RADAR only the
instruments. Any suggestions? I thought too remove the back of the
unit, find the small speaker drill a wire hole and connect a larger
buzzer. This exercise may prove very expensive if I'm wrong.

John

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Jul 30, 2002, 10:02:10 AM7/30/02
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The existing alarm is not a buzzer. It's an amp driven speaker.
Increasing the size of the speaker won't make it any louder. You would
have to increase the size of the amp. A lower impedence speaker might
be a bit louder, BUT you'll overdrive the amp and burn it out eventually.
Another option is to replace the speaker with a relay. The relay's coil
would have to be rated with the same voltage and equal to or less
amperage as the original speaker. The contacts of that coil can operate
an externally powered buzzer. Make sure you install fuses that have the
the same rating as the original speaker because that circuit is NOT
fused. Without fuses, any screw ups can cost you a new radar unit.
The NMEA to SeaTalk interface box (Raymarine #E-85001)is an easier and
safer alternative. We sell it for $144.95.

John
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Larry DeMers

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Jul 30, 2002, 1:47:19 PM7/30/02
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Raytheon puts a switched output for alarms on their buss (NMEA I believe). This
would operate a relay, whcih would power your alarm of any size you want.

I suspect most vendors will do the same for their alarms.

Larry DeMers

jean somerhausen

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Jul 30, 2002, 10:29:37 PM7/30/02
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A simple and inexpensive solution is to buy one of these little audio
amplifiers with speaker from Radio Shack and connect a piezo-electric
crystal to it. Just tape the crystal to the display and it will amplify
the sound of the alarm. Pretty well third world technology but it
worls...
john
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