Extension cables for Raymarine C80 chartplotter

AntarcticPilot

AntarcticPilot

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 May 2007
Messages
11,115
Location
Cambridge, UK
www.cooperandyau.co.uk
I have a Raymarine C80 chartplotter mounted at the chart table. It has three connections - Seatalk, NMEA and power.

What I would like to do is create three extension cables so that I can (when convenient) temporarily move the C80 to the cockpit (perhaps on a bracket on a washboard). Raymarine's web-site doesn't mention cables made up to facilitate this.

Has anyone done this? What plugs, sockets etc. are required? I imagine RS or Farnell can probably supply them. The cable length would have to be 2-3 m - are there any problems with loss of signal?
 
I've just installed a E120W and with this plotter you only get a pigtail cable of 1,5 meter. On one end there is a connector for the plotter, on the other just a bunch of wires. As I've mounted the plotter under the sprayhood I had to extend the cables quite a bit.
There was a empty cable-duct in the boat to the place where the plotter resides, however it went to the aft cockpitlocker. So from there I had to route the cable back to the nav station inside.
Al in all I was confronted with cable-lenghts of around 8 meter for NMEA and 5 meter for Seatalk and Powersupply. I've used good quality screened cables without a problem. Seatalk is even more resilient. Make sure you use thick enough cable for the power to prevent voltage loss.

I've soldered most of the extensions and used heat-shrink tubes to protect the connections. On E-bay you can find some of the cables you'll need for the connectors.
I've bought a second powercable for the Plotter be able to hook it up in at the chart table as well.
PM me if you need some more info on the cables.
 
aluijten said:
I've just installed a E120W and with this plotter you only get a pigtail cable of 1,5 meter. On one end there is a connector for the plotter, on the other just a bunch of wires. As I've mounted the plotter under the sprayhood I had to extend the cables quite a bit.
There was a empty cable-duct in the boat to the place where the plotter resides, however it went to the aft cockpitlocker. So from there I had to route the cable back to the nav station inside.
Al in all I was confronted with cable-lenghts of around 8 meter for NMEA and 5 meter for Seatalk and Powersupply. I've used good quality screened cables without a problem. Seatalk is even more resilient. Make sure you use thick enough cable for the power to prevent voltage loss.

I've soldered most of the extensions and used heat-shrink tubes to protect the connections. On E-bay you can find some of the cables you'll need for the connectors.
I've bought a second powercable for the Plotter be able to hook it up in at the chart table as well.
PM me if you need some more info on the cables.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Aluijten.

What I need, though, is not to move the chart plotter permanently, but to create a set of extension cables that will allow the chart plotter to be used in either location. So, what I really need to source are the cable-end sockets corresponding to the plugs that go in the back of the C80; as you suggest I could buy the appropriate cables with the plugs on from Raymarine (but I bet RS or Farnell are cheaper!). They don't need to be waterproof - they will remain at the chart-table, so they are in the dry! I don't want to make a second permanent mounting location with permanent wiring; just to enable a little flexibility.
 
AntarcticPilot said:
Thanks, Aluijten.

What I need, though, is not to move the chart plotter permanently, but to create a set of extension cables that will allow the chart plotter to be used in either location. So, what I really need to source are the cable-end sockets corresponding to the plugs that go in the back of the C80; as you suggest I could buy the appropriate cables with the plugs on from Raymarine (but I bet RS or Farnell are cheaper!). They don't need to be waterproof - they will remain at the chart-table, so they are in the dry! I don't want to make a second permanent mounting location with permanent wiring; just to enable a little flexibility.
Click to expand...

So you basically want to create some extension leads for your plotter, similar to what you use for 240 Volt leads.
Can I suggest you try to source a defective C70/80 plotter to take the connectors from. Then, by using EBay, buy an alternative set of cables for the plotter. By including the required length of extension leads you can manufacture the required extension cables.

Cheers,

Arno
 
aluijten said:
So you basically want to create some extension leads for your plotter, similar to what you use for 240 Volt leads.
Can I suggest you try to source a defective C70/80 plotter to take the connectors from. Then, by using EBay, buy an alternative set of cables for the plotter. By including the required length of extension leads you can manufacture the required extension cables.

Cheers,

Arno
Click to expand...

Thanks; that may be a good suggestion. Problem is that defective chart-plotters tend to end up in the waste electrical goods recycling bin!
 
Can I suggest that connections are potentially weak points in the system, and it might be better to use permanent longer cables and just roll them up when not in use?

Or would that create a routing problem for where you want to use it remotely?
 
Why not cut the cable before the plug and source a connector for the bare wires. There are only 5 or so wires in the cable... Worse case 5 bullet connectors.... Just a thought!
 
bbg said:
Can I suggest that connections are potentially weak points in the system, and it might be better to use permanent longer cables and just roll them up when not in use?

Or would that create a routing problem for where you want to use it remotely?
Click to expand...

Not really a problem; the primary location of the chart-plotter is at the chart table. If the extension cable stops working, I'd just move the plotter back to it's normal location. The idea is to add flexibility, and the potential to use the chart-plotter for pilotage. And rolling up 3x3 m of cable at the chart-table would be a bulky and hard to manage.

Can I re-emphasize that this is for temporary, short-term relocation of the plotter as required, NOT for a permanent new position?
 
akela said:
Why not cut the cable before the plug and source a connector for the bare wires. There are only 5 or so wires in the cable... Worse case 5 bullet connectors.... Just a thought!
Click to expand...

I did wonder about that - you can probably pack all the wires into a single DB25 plug and make up a simple single extension cable rather than having three to drag around...
 
akela said:
Why not cut the cable before the plug and source a connector for the bare wires. There are only 5 or so wires in the cable... Worse case 5 bullet connectors.... Just a thought!
Click to expand...

maby said:
I did wonder about that - you can probably pack all the wires into a single DB25 plug and make up a simple single extension cable rather than having three to drag around...
Click to expand...

That sounds like a good idea - if I can summon up the nerve to cut a working cable! The DB25 connector sounds like a possibility, except for the power connection - the C80 takes about an amp (10 watts). I think a DB25 is perhaps a bit light for that. But I think I only need 7 or 8 cable paths (2 power, 3 Seatalk, not sure but probably 3 for NMEA), so a DIN style plug/socket would work, and also be available in a semi-water resistant form.
 
AntarcticPilot said:
That sounds like a good idea - if I can summon up the nerve to cut a working cable!
Click to expand...

From the point of reliability of your current installation not such a great idea as you do introduce an extra point of failure in the system.

I agree, if you are a competent person in soldering connectors and if you use proper connectors the risk is not so big, but it's there.
 
aluijten said:
From the point of reliability of your current installation not such a great idea as you do introduce an extra point of failure in the system.

I agree, if you are a competent person in soldering connectors and if you use proper connectors the risk is not so big, but it's there.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree. I am OK at making up connectors; I spent quite a few years working with prototype electronics - but that was a long time ago! That's why I left the caveat about being nervous of disturbing a working system.
 
AntarcticPilot said:
Yes, I agree. I am OK at making up connectors; I spent quite a few years working with prototype electronics - but that was a long time ago! That's why I left the caveat about being nervous of disturbing a working system.
Click to expand...

get a fine point soldering iron, third hand, good magnifying glass on a stand and plenty of heat shrink sleeving and you'll be fine! Use decent quality plugs and sockets - something that will lock would be better.
 
Get two sets of suitable sockets - I guess Maplins or whoever can supply somthing suitable.
Mount one on the chart table, the other by the companion way.
Cut the current(sorry about the pun!) cables to the C80 and connect the input end to the socket at the chart table. Run cabling fronm the chart table socket to the companion socket, probably up behind the VHF and across the ceiling above the headlining.
Connect the 3 cables from the C80 to a suitable plug(or plugs) and then when at chart table plug it in there, when in companion way plug it in there.
No long length of cable to take care of as most of the length will be a permanent fixture.
 
akela said:
Why not cut the cable before the plug and source a connector for the bare wires. There are only 5 or so wires in the cable... Worse case 5 bullet connectors.... Just a thought!
Click to expand...

That's what I do.
If I need to be able to put a bit of kit in several places I radiate the cables out from the source end terminating in a socket or two like these. The other end of the 'pigtail' cable to the equipment is terminated in plug to the socket above.

The UTS Hi seal Connector is very good
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top