Deck Gland or Plug & Socket

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Flights

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Surrey, Gosport & near La Rochelle
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I need to install a 7 way Raymarine cable for my new wind systems, already purchased so wireless v wired isn't relevant

What are people's thoughts on deck glands v the plug and socket arrangement using something like the DS/MS military connectors such as http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DS3106A20...ries-DS-MS-plug-female-PIN7-for-/201672102388.

It seems to me that the plug and socket arrangement would make dropping the mast easier and the VHF and lights already use this style solution

Does anyone have experience of these and if so how did they work out for you?

Thanks
Rob
 
Flights said:
I need to install a 7 way Raymarine cable for my new wind systems, already purchased so wireless v wired isn't relevant

What are people's thoughts on deck glands v the plug and socket arrangement using something like the DS/MS military connectors such as http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DS3106A20...ries-DS-MS-plug-female-PIN7-for-/201672102388.

It seems to me that the plug and socket arrangement would make dropping the mast easier and the VHF and lights already use this style solution

Does anyone have experience of these and if so how did they work out for you?

Thanks
Rob
Click to expand...

The answer is - both!

Deck gland, and then plug and socket above deck level, clear of water on deck, but at easy working height - say 2 to 4 feet.
 
My experience of deck plug and sockets is v poor! Always unreliable, so have replaced mine when cabling being renewed with deck glands by Index Marine where you can insert the cabling with connecter attached through the split rubber grommet and the final connected below deck in the dry. Mine are under the headlining so a bit of a faff to disconnect but not had any problems with dirty connections etc etc. Others of course have had better experiences with deck plugs. I've no experience of the plug and socket you mention.
 
I use a swan neck for most of my through deck cabling, with simple connections below, under the headlining.
 
Deck gland and then a connection in the dry just beneath the deck in such a way that the connector (if any) can be withdrawn.

When I had deck plugs I struggled to keep them clean enough even for the lights / VHF to work.
 
I've had satisfactory results with these brands/bulgin/bulgin-surface-mounted-socket-6-pin.html#.WBy_WRmnzqA just smear the contacts with Contralube.
 
NormanS said:
Go on then, just for a laugh show the price of them, and let me see how much I've saved by making up a swan-neck, out of bits from under the bench. :D
Click to expand...

Hey, I didn't say they were cheap.! I just said that proper mil-spec connectors were unbeatable :)

The OP asked about connectors or glands, I prefer connectors.. In all honesty, I've never tried a swan neck, and I am now thinking about that !
 
I use Index plastic cable glands and make the connections below deck using a connector block for the lighting wires and a co-ax plug/socket for the vhf aerial cable. I fitted them in 1998 and never had any problems. The cable glands don't let any water through and the connections are dry and easily accessible.
 
Hadenough said:
Photos?
Click to expand...

Sorry, haven't a clue about photos, but a swan neck generally consists of a U bend (or two elbows) welded to a short upstand of tube, mounted on a simple flange. They are in general use, and in the same way as deck glands, mean that all vulnerable connections are below deck. I stuff a little bit of foam rubber into the neck around the cables, to stop flies etc getting in.
 
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