Electrical Fittings

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emnick

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I need to fit an aerial for my Navtex also a GPS. what is the best way to get seal the cables through the transom. I am of mind to use a plastic electrical stuffing gland, as I think they seal better than the so called marine deck fittings, perhaps one for each cable.
The builders have brought out existing cables directly into the pushpit rail where it bolts through the transom, but I doubt there is enough room for additional cables.
Thanks for any help
 
You may want to consider fitting the antennas below decks near the receivers (in a locker?); mine are fitted like this and have not perceived any difference in reception quality. There have been a number of threads on this in the past and the general conclusion was that, depending on the boats construction, these antennas work just as well even if beneath a layer of GRP. This will save you running cables inside the boat and making holes in the plastic/wood; and I know how difficult it can be to run cables back to the stern!!!!!

Alan.
 
Certainly NAVTEX is fine below decks - but be aware that you do get interferance in a marina from the shorepower - NASA told me this when I couldn't get a proper reading - as soon as we unplugged the shore power it came through fine.

GPS - I have put mine above decks (run the cable through the tubes for the stern arch so no holes in the deck) - GPS manual for the Raymarine 125 says it should have a clear view of the horizon for best results. However people have used GPS with internal antennea mounted below decks without a problem, so this may be an option?

Jonny
 
Whichever method you use to seal the wires thro the transom, you can folow this with a slight downward loop in the cable to discourage rain water arring at the gland. And cover the gland with one of those stainless mini water deflectors facing downwards.
 
Re Navtex: I cut the cable to allow fitting it through an existing aperture to down below (the socket of the aerial was too bulky to fit through the aperture).

Had severe dificulties with rejoining the cable - the wire strands inside the cable are very fragile and my soldering skills are obviously not up to scratch.
After various attempts and methods still couldn't get a satisfactory and consistent display of messages.

Eventually had to purchase another antenna and cable and use a different route for the new (uncut) cable!.
 
I agree with alan mine is sikaflex to the window frame and it worked all last year the cable pops under the poltter and joins the cable run
 
[ QUOTE ]
Had severe dificulties with rejoining the cable - the wire strands inside the cable are very fragile and my soldering skills are obviously not up to scratch.

[/ QUOTE ]

Try these.
 
Thats what the raymarine units come supplied with to connect the seatalk cables together - work very well and are filled with some sort of silicon which oozes out when you compress them (assume this makes them watertight / proof).

Was wondering where you got more from - not cheap mind if you only want a couple!!

Jonny
 
I was given a handful by a friendly BT engineer - still got loads left.

If you want some, PM me for my address, send me a SEA and I will bung them in the post - gratis....
 
Had a very interesting experience on a charter boat this Christmas. Anytime anyone was out on the roof of the cabin, the plotter lost it's lock. Found out that the GPS antenna was installed inside the ceiling.

I was not very popular when telling the others that they couldn't soak in the rays in that place!

Might be better with the GPS antenna out in the open.
 
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