deck gland radar cable

[retsina]

I will be installing a radar (JRC 1500) soon. The cable will run down the mast, on the outside and through the deck. I pressume will be better to cut the cable and fit a gland connector on the deck?. What type and size of gland do I need? Any other options?. Thanks

 

[grievesie]

I would avoid cutting the cable if you can, by using a deck gland rather than a deck connector. Most boat electrics problems are caused by connections so the fewer the better IMHO. An alternative to the standard type rubber deck gland

is a swan neck type stainless steel deck cable conduit.

These are common on Scandinavian boats, look smart and work well but are difficult to source in UK other than having one custom made. However, they can be bought in Germany for example at Toplicht. The item you are looking for is called an "A4 Schwanenhals-kabeldurchfuhrung rohr 36mm NIRO". Part number 4228-036. This is the likely size you would require as most radar cable plugs are quite big - although they do a smaller diameter 20mm; type the part number or description into the search box at the top of the home page called "Artikelsuche" to go direct to the required page. Good luck.

 

[retsina]

Grievsie; many thanks for the info; however, what happens when I need to drop the mast; would i have to cut the cable then?

 

[sailorman]

that is always the $1000000 question
i pole mounted mine after much deliberation & it works fine, Large container ship @ 10 mls

 

[earlybird]

My main reason for pole mounting was to avoid cutting the cable. I know that many people do this, but there is a very small co-ax cable to join, which needs special care, and the fewer joints the better IMO

 

[RestlessL]

I favour the mushroom type feed-though such as the Glomex RA140.

These allow you to keep the cables close to the deck (no trip hazard) Once fitted, just fill the hole with sealant.

 

[MikeCC]

There are also some deck glands that have a split seal for exactly this type of problem. ie you can push the cable through a slit in the foam centre.

 

[samwise]

Index marine do a really good multi pin deck plug and socket that we have been using successfully for the past couple of years. However, if you don't envisage taking down the rig very often, keep the cable intact ( most electronics engineers will be a bit chary about cutting it) and buy a deck gland ( Index again) through which the cable plus the set connector will pass. If tyou have a problem with headlining removal / panels etc a compromise is to cut the cable and have the connection inside the boat so that you only have a short length to draw through when the mast needs to come down. Again your gland should be big enough to allow the connector to pull through. I have seen some very high tec connectors with a rectangular section that would fit under headlining but I can't remember the name.

 

[grievesie]

Looks like the other contributors have covered most of your other options. Final decision depends a lot on size/type of boat, how often you take down the mast and whether you want the display at the chart table or in the cockpit. Certainly the stern pole mount option must make installing a cockpit display much easier and avoids mast mounting problems (at some small cost to ultimate range - which you will not use much on a small display anyway). It also makes antenna maintenance easier.