Connector on Raymarine Radar Cable

[jac]

As part of the winter to do list I need new rigging on our new to us boat. To prepare for this I’m obviously disconnecting all the electrical side before the mast comes out in a couple of weeks.

Most is all pretty standard chocolate box (which will be replaced obviously) but one cable has these on some of the cores between the two sections.

so what are they ? - gut feel says ferrite’s which would make sense for a radar cable.

Second question - how to separate the cable. 3 of the cores (presumably the power ) are just spliced with what looks like a butt connector but I can’t see any connectors on these with the ferrites.

am I ok to cut and then splice when the mast is restepped and if so, does it make a difference which side of the ferrite I cut?

Finally, any specific connector to use???

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

As part of the winter to do list I need new rigging on our new to us boat. To prepare for this I’m obviously disconnecting all the electrical side before the mast comes out in a couple of weeks.

Most is all pretty standard chocolate box (which will be replaced obviously) but one cable has these on some of the cores between the two sections.

so what are they ? - gut feel says ferrite’s which would make sense for a radar cable.

Second question - how to separate the cable. 3 of the cores (presumably the power ) are just spliced with what looks like a butt connector but I can’t see any connectors on these with the ferrites.

am I ok to cut and then splice when the mast is restepped and if so, does it make a difference which side of the ferrite I cut?

Finally, any specific connector to use???

I think you may find they are "Gel crimp connectors" Do an on line search , loads around.

 

[ithet]

They are just a type of wire Butt connectors as Alex says. You can just cut them off. My radar was connected below the mast with choc-blocks, but these days I think people generally prefer the Wago lever type.

 

[[70521]]

I think you may find they are "Gel crimp connectors" Do an on line search , loads around.

Thanks for the tip. I want to get something neater than a chocolate box connector for my Garmin radar ?

 

[[2574]]

I’ve just done a radar install using inline Wago connectors, they make excellent and reliable connections, even with small wires, highly recommended.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I think you may find they are "Gel crimp connectors" Do an on line search , loads around.

They indeed "gel connectors".

They are an abomination and should not be used on a boat.

They are IDC connectors, same principal as the equally garbage ScotchLok connectors.

 

[[70521]]

I’ve just done a radar install using inline Wago connectors, they make excellent and reliable connections, even with small wires, highly recommended.

Can you point me in the direction of the Wago connectors @Robih ?

Given @PaulRainbow's comments about the gel connectors it might be worth taking a wider look.

 

[[2574]]

Can you point me in the direction of the Wago connectors @Robih ?

Given @PaulRainbow's comments about the gel connectors it might be worth taking a wider look.

Inline Splicing Connector with Lever (Pack of 60)

 

[[70521]]

Inline Splicing Connector with Lever (Pack of 60)

Thanks.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

They indeed "gel connectors".

They are an abomination and should not be used on a boat.

They are IDC connectors, same principal as the equally garbage ScotchLok connectors.

Never used them. Basically meant for telecoms equip. Ithink

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Can you point me in the direction of the Wago connectors @Robih ?

Given @PaulRainbow's comments about the gel connectors it might be worth taking a wider look.

Any of the local electrical wholesalers will do them.

 

[[70521]]

Any of the local electrical wholesalers will do them.

They are on Amazon. I am currently building an order for them.

Having discovered the RS Components in Plymouth I was disappointed they don't do them. Lovely staff and free coffee.

 

[jac]

Can you point me in the direction of the Wago connectors @Robih ?

Given @PaulRainbow's comments about the gel connectors it might be worth taking a wider look.

Have had a look at the obvious places ( mainly around the mast and back at the panel) these are the only ones ( to date) - Other stuff is chocolate blocks so was going to switch to Wago for those. Just need a few more I guess!

 

[[70521]]

Have had a look at the obvious places ( mainly around the mast and back at the panel) these are the only ones ( to date) - Other stuff is chocolate blocks so was going to switch to Wago for those. Just need a few more I guess!

Having stripped the boat of all the old wiring over the last four year I am pretty sure there nothing onboard that looks remotely like a Wago connector for a radar cable.

 

[Daverw]

Toolstation or screw fix both have wago

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

The op looks a bit like someone might have bodged an ethernet connection? (Although hard to see)

In which case use ethernet bits.

 

[[70521]]

The op looks a bit like someone might have bodged an ethernet connection? (Although hard to see)

In which case use ethernet bits.

You can, but can RJ45 connectors get through all the conducts on your boat. I know they would not survive the route through my boat.

 

[[70521]]

Toolstation or screw fix both have wago

Thanks @Daverw I never thought to look at Toolstation and Screwfix.

 

[[164147]]

eBay is easier to buy Wago connectors and cheaper than Toolstation & Screwfix however I wouldn't recommend them for small wires as the weight of the connector can easily break the wire. I tend to use a solder connectors and heatshrink especially for Raymarine radar cables.

@PaulRainbow Raymarine used to supply IDC connectors with their chartplotters so they clearly disagree with you.

 

[PaulRainbow]

eBay is easier to buy Wago connectors and cheaper than Toolstation & Screwfix however I wouldn't recommend them for small wires as the weight of the connector can easily break the wire. I tend to use a solder connectors and heatshrink especially for Raymarine radar cables.

Nothing wrong with solder and heatshrink for small wires, but that's hardly practical for wires that need periodic removal, such as those that the OP refers to.

There is equally nothing wrong with using Wago connectors for small wires. They just need to be properly supported or in an enclosure with stain relief on the wiring. If you just leave them all dangling they obviously are, suitable, but then what is ?

@PaulRainbow Raymarine used to supply IDC connectors with their chartplotters so they clearly disagree with you.
[/QUOTE]

Used to supply, they obviously realised the error of their ways. Using IDC connectors for tiny, multi strand wiring is just plain stupid.