Deck gland without cutting cable

[KAL]

Does anyone know if it's possible to get hold of a deck gland that doesn't require you to cut the cable to install it.

I'm not having a 'DURR' moment - I would like to replace an existing deck gland that has my radar cable going through it, without parting my radar cable. Been there - never again if I can help it!

 

[Poignard]

Yes - I have one (from Index Marine). The rubber diaphragm is split from the periphery to the centre so when I lift the mast out I can remove the vhf aerial cable without having to take off the co-ax plug

 

[Daydream believer]

Yes - I have one (from Index Marine). The rubber diaphragm is split from the periphery to the centre so when I lift the mast out I can remove the vhf aerial cable without having to take off the co-ax plug

But the metal bits are still around the cable, one fixed to the deck & one to the top piece.
I suppose one could disassemble the whole thing & remove it to get the cable out with the gland still fitted around the cable

 

[KAL]

Yes - I have one (from Index Marine). The rubber diaphragm is split from the periphery to the centre so when I lift the mast out I can remove the vhf aerial cable without having to take off the co-ax plug

Doesn't the rubber centre have a frame that it sits in, which would make removal or installation of the cable impossible?

 

[prv]

Yes - I have one (from Index Marine). The rubber diaphragm is split from the periphery to the centre so when I lift the mast out I can remove the vhf aerial cable without having to take off the co-ax plug

You still have to pass the end of the cable (inside the plug) through the outer ring of the gland, though, presumably? I don't think that would work for the OP where neither end of the cable is accessible.

I can't think of a better suggestion though. Applying a big blob of sikaflex around the cable would be the bodger's solution...

Pete

 

[Cardo]

It all depends on how big the plug on the end of the cable is. We have some Index Marine glands, which probably had a good inch diameter outer ring, with a rubber inner part that's split down the middle. So as long as the plug isn't huge, it'll fit through the outer ring.

 

[Poignard]

That's more or less what I suggested but as others have pointed out, he doesn't want to disconnect the cable.

 

[Cardo]

That's more or less what I suggested but as others have pointed out, he doesn't want to disconnect the cable.

Uhm, he doesn't want to cut the cable, not disconnect it.
Unless he means disconnect, in which case he's probably proper beggared.

 

[PetiteFleur]

What I have done is to use an Index deck gland and make a connection below deck(actually inside the headlining in my case) The index gland has a large enough hole in the gland to take the connection fitting or the PL293? fitting that goes in the back of the vhf. The Index website shows all the options available. I made the connection below the deck as I was fed up with the deck type gland always being unreliable.

 

[prv]

Uhm, he doesn't want to cut the cable, not disconnect it.

Well, if I was in the same position I couldn't unplug below decks - the cable runs through a narrow conduit inside the deck core, and the plug on the end is massive. I had to cut it since the mast was coming off, but if I was just replacing the deck gland I would share the OP's problem.

Unless he means disconnect, in which case he's probably proper beggared.

Well, that's the challenge, isn't it?

Pete

 

[Cardo]

Well, if I was in the same position I couldn't unplug below decks - the cable runs through a narrow conduit inside the deck core, and the plug on the end is massive. I had to cut it since the mast was coming off, but if I was just replacing the deck gland I would share the OP's problem.



Well, that's the challenge, isn't it?

Pete

Which boat builder/electronics fitter does an install where the mast can't be taken off without cutting cables?

 

[prv]

I can think of one approach (apart from the sikaflex ) and that's to use one of Salty John's Cableport devices. I have one of these and find it a very convenient way of getting cables below deck, plus they run out flat along the deck instead of vulnerably upwards like from many glands and plugs.

For the continuous-cable problem, you'd have to saw a narrow cut in from one side of the base piece and through the central tube. Bend it outwards slightly to open the cut, and slip the cable through into the tube. Then you need to rejoin the cut, perhaps with some form of soldering or brazing (wrap the cable in plumber's heatproof mat first). Then sikaflex the base down and proceed as normal.

Pete

 

[KAL]

Well, that's the challenge, isn't it?

Precisely! The radar cable had to be parted a few years ago and it was a devil of a job to get it back together so the radar would work again. There were 17 different cables IIRC, one of which was a very mini co-ax with a core of about a hair's breadth.

Had to get a marine electronics specialist to do the job, in the end. Cost a fair bit and don't want to have to repeat the exercise if I can help it!

I could strip out the manky old sealant from the old manky deck gland and replace it with some new lovely Sika or similar, but it would be a more proper job to replace the gland.

If no possibilities exist, it'll be back to the gunk tube for me...

 

[prv]

Which boat builder/electronics fitter does an install where the mast can't be taken off without cutting cables?

Me

The mast had just gone up and I didn't expect it to be coming down again for ten years, so I thought I'd run the radar cable in one unbroken length. When the time for new rigging rolled round, I would then cut it and fit plugs, same as if I'd done it at the beginning. Or, quite likely, by that time I'd be replacing the then 20+ year old radar anyway and the new cable would be Ethernet and much easier to join.

Best laid plans and all that - in the first season we discovered a leak around the keel necessitating major GRP repair, and the mast had to come off to get the boat into the shed.

Pete

 

[KAL]

I can think of one approach (apart from the sikaflex ) and that's to use one of Salty John's Cableport devices. I have one of these and find it a very convenient way of getting cables below deck, plus they run out flat along the deck instead of vulnerably upwards like from many glands and plugs.

For the continuous-cable problem, you'd have to saw a narrow cut in from one side of the base piece and through the central tube. Bend it outwards slightly to open the cut, and slip the cable through into the tube. Then you need to rejoin the cut, perhaps with some form of soldering or brazing (wrap the cable in plumber's heatproof mat first). Then sikaflex the base down and proceed as normal.

Pete

Nice idea - like it!

 

[Cardo]

Me

The mast had just gone up and I didn't expect it to be coming down again for ten years, so I thought I'd run the radar cable in one unbroken length. When the time for new rigging rolled round, I would then cut it and fit plugs, same as if I'd done it at the beginning. Or, quite likely, by that time I'd be replacing the then 20+ year old radar anyway and the new cable would be Ethernet and much easier to join.

Best laid plans and all that - in the first season we discovered a leak around the keel necessitating major GRP repair, and the mast had to come off to get the boat into the shed.

Pete

For varying reasons, our mast has come down 3 times in the last 3 years. I'm extremely glad all our cables were already split and had connectors at the deck joint!

 

[mikeinkwazi]

This is what I did. Cut a hole in the deck to pass the plug on it's cable. Make a circular 1/2" ply shape with a hole to take the plug. Cut a slot the width of the cable on one edge. Glue to the deck over the hole, with the slot down-slope (if there is one) Make another ply shape to fit over it without hole or slot to act as a lid and screw it in place. When fitting remove lid, insert plug/cable, grease the cable, hole and slot before screwing down the lid. Works perfectly!

 

[pvb]

A swan neck fitting is probably the simplest.

 

[prv]

A swan neck fitting is probably the simplest.

And how do you propose to feed that over the cable in situ?

Pete

 

[pvb]

And how do you propose to feed that over the cable in situ?

You don't really think that I read original posts, do you? Isn't that against forum rules?

Oh, and I note that you didn't take issue with all the other suggestions which didn't meet the OP's needs.