Advanced Marine Electrics and Electronics Troubleshooting A Manual for Boatowners and Marine Technicians

electronic equipment installation guidelines 131

• Can the operator easily see the equipment
  and its screen or display?


• Can the display be read in bright sun-
  light?


• Can the display be read when the opera-
  tor wears polarized sunglasses?


• Is the display so bright that it disturbs the
  operator’s night vision?


• Is the display mounted in such a way
  that it reflects off the wheelhouse window
  and obscures the view ahead?

Viewing angle is an important considera-
tion for many of these questions, as is the avail-
ability of display settings for adjusting bright-
ness and/or selecting “night viewing.” While
display settings are a function of the equip-
ment, they’re also an important component of
the overall ergonomic situation. A display that
can’t be read in the prevailing situation is just as
worthless as one that doesn’t work.

Similarly, consider hearing and touch. Let’s

use a VHF radio installation as an example. Is

it mounted where the operator can hear

incoming transmissions over the sound of the

engine? Can the controls be easily reached and

accurately adjusted while the boat is under-

way, even in rough seas? These and similar fac-

tors will contribute to or detract from the

effectiveness of a given installation.

Electronics installations in open cockpits,

such as in most sailboats, can be particularly

challenging because direct sunlight can wash

out display screens. In some cases, sunlight

can make equipment overheat, causing display

screens to shut down. While screen technol-

ogy has come a long way in the last ten years,

and the term “daylight viewable” is now a

common marketing term used by many

equipment vendors, the bottom line is that

some equipment is just better suited to a par-

ticular location. If you have to leave the helm

VHF

compass

Center consoles present an installation challenge as there’s not a lot of room for what

is often a lot of desirable electronics. Given those limitations, this installation is quite

good from an ergonomic point of view. Assuming that the helmsman will be standing

most of the time, most of the controls are quite visible and accessible. There is, how-

ever, the potential for magnetic interference between the VHF radio and the steering

compass, so this may not be the best location for the VHF radio.