Autohelm Tridata cable?

[Seagreen]

Revamping a control panel, and there's 6m of excess cable from the sensors to an old, yet fully functional, Autohelm Tridata display bundled up behind which has to go, as there's a lot more to fit in the space now.

I presume this stuff can be cut? Is it just RG58 coax cable? If not, how can it be joined and what plugs and connectors will I need?

 

[earlybird]

The depth transducer cable is normally 2 core shielded, and should not be shortened. The log cable is probably 5 core shielded, and, AFAIK, is not to critical for shortening. If it's an ST50 though, it uses special plugs/sockets, which you might have trouble sourcing now, and, IIRC, are moulded on, so cutting and soldering, or a terminal strip is probably your best option for shortening the log cable. If there's a seatalk cable, which is screened 2 core this can also be shortened Can't you pull the surplus cable up to the transducers and coil there?

 

[richardabeattie]

That's right - don't shorten the depth cable!

 

[Seagreen]

I have to fit a tridata panel, and compass LCD screen along with an engine start panel, VHF, AIS engine, AIS signal splitter plus a switch panel in a box about 1 foot cubed, so I'm trying to cut the excess cabling down as much as possible. I can always loop it elswhere if necessary, but I'd like to cut it out if I can.

 

[Piddy]

I believe it used to be the case when transducers were matched to the cable. When I recently talked to the service manager at Simrad, he was quite happy for me to cut the cable.

I understand Simrad uses the same Airmar transducers as Raymarine. If in doubt, I would ask Raymarine.

Cheers