Clipper Wind System...connection...help

[Trop Cher]

Hi,
I've bought a Clipper wind system which I intend to fit to my boat. The instructions state not to cut the cable between the masthead unit and the display unit. However I take the mast down each autumn and would like to have a connection in the deck close to the bottom of the mast.
Can anyone please advise how to do this and which fittings to use?
Thanks
Simon

 

[gwc2004]

When I fitted mine I cut the cable and put it through a deck gland. I then used a block connecter below to join it. It works fine

 

[djc]

I seem to remember asking nasa whether it would be ok to cut the cable near the mast head so as to take the masthead unit down for the winter to save wear and tear on mast head unit.
Nasa said it would be ok so long as a water proof connector was used such as a buccaneer connector which i used and its worked fine ever since.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

here

 

[steve28]

i use a deck gland with the tapered rubber insert, put a cut into the rubber to allow the cable in, then when you take the mast down jst slacken off the gland and pull the cable through. the cut closes when its done up because of the taper.

 

[Bodach na mara]

Thank you Dogwatch for that lead. I was going to post it as it was a favourite on my last computer before the drive or PSU went gaga. The question is often asked and I cannot understand why Nasa still say in the instructions that the cable must not be cut. Of course you need to cut it. There is no other way to get the cable into the mast. It is re-joining it that is the fun bit.

The wires inside the cable are very fine and delicate. The advice I got from Nasa was to take the cable through a deck gland annd use a terminal block for joining. There are five connections: four wires and a screen. As I did not want to undo this lot every year when the mast came down, I used a Bulgin plug and socket, grossly oversized and clumsy for the job. It did not work. Speed was ok, but direction was hopeless. The direction of rotation was wrong and 180 degrees change of direction produced only a fraction of this change in reading. The diagnosis was that there was poor contact sonehwere. I removed the plug and socket and used a terminal block, well wrapped up. Worked fine. Then I read the Dogwatch Solution (sounds like a Robert Ludlum title!)

I used one of these connectors from Maplin but in the hatch garage instead ot at the masthead. To get at it I used a teak block gland idea from somehwere else in the forum or in PBO. The block seals the hole and traps the cable and is remover to unplug the cable. The system has worked since installed last year but the proof will come when the mast is re-stepped. By the way, the connector was not easy to find and I suspect that Maplin may be phasing it out.

Finally, I wish I had taken the advice I got before I bought the system and had gone for the wireless Tacktick system instead. That is what I will do when I replace it. From other posts on the subject of Nasa Clipper reliability, I suspect that will be sooner rather than later.

 

[Trop Cher]

Hi,
I would like to thank you all for your reponses and advise. I will now feel much happier when I cut through the cable!
Simon