Garmin marine network cable specs Q

[vas]

another one, should be simple this time...

About to finilize the hard top design, which means I'll be able to install the Garmin GMR24HD radar that's sitting on my office for the last year or two...
I do have the proprietary two pin power plug and fuse for it.
I also have two marine network waterproof terminals with the plug. copper bit, instructions, rubber boot the lot.
What I don't have is approx 8m of cable.
I can buy 20ft 6.1m or 40ft 12.2m cable for 50-70quid online. 20ft is too short, 40ft is too long.
So was thinking if I can use proper cat5 or cat6 network cable (as I believe that's what it is, just in black...) instead.

So Q is, can I use normal ftp, sftp or whatever type of ethernet cable I can get on the market for it?
UV protection is not an issue as all cable will be within a 42mm ss pole and when outside will be on a proper el. flex hose

Suggestions for cable specs welcomed.

cheers

V.

 

[jfm]

I don't know but I have a few Garmin short ones lying around so can send you one to do an autopsy on. Let me look in my junk box this weekend. I would think a standard Cat5e cable off ebay is perfectly fine but that is more gut feel than science
If you do get hold of a too-long OEM cable it is obviously ok to coil up the spare and hide it - this is Ethernet data speeds
Remember Garmin use crossed over wiring https://www.computercablestore.com/straight-through-crossover-and-rollover-wiring

 

[vas]

John,

thanks for pointing the obvious, I just checked on my Garmin spares box and I do have a half a metre long Garmin original marine network cable that came with the radar!
I'll just carefully dissect it and compare to offcuts of Cat5 and Cat6 cables I have lying around. We must have kilometres of the stuff at the uni and I can get 8m no probs...

Will report which one fits

cheers

V.

 

[jrudge]

I have not tried using normal cables with Garmin, but i have with Raymarine.

They have deep sockets that will only allow the cable to be pushed home if the locking tab is broken off hence allowing the plug to go deeper into the socket - but then it does not lock in.

No idea if Garmin are the same but if it does not work, see if it needs to go deeper before throwing hand in air ( which I did!)

 

[jfm]

I have not tried using normal cables with Garmin, but i have with Raymarine.

They have deep sockets that will only allow the cable to be pushed home if the locking tab is broken off hence allowing the plug to go deeper into the socket - but then it does not lock in.

No idea if Garmin are the same but if it does not work, see if it needs to go deeper before throwing hand in air ( which I did!)

J, I'm pretty sure Garmin Ethernet sockets are normal type you have in the office. I've plugged normal Ethernet cables into them and they work fine. In general, Raymarine pursue a policy of bespoking all their connectors to try to stop you using anything generic; Garmin are the very opposite so are the good guys on this aspect

 

[vas]

I have not tried using normal cables with Garmin, but i have with Raymarine.

They have deep sockets that will only allow the cable to be pushed home if the locking tab is broken off hence allowing the plug to go deeper into the socket - but then it does not lock in.

No idea if Garmin are the same but if it does not work, see if it needs to go deeper before throwing hand in air ( which I did!)

not an issue as I do have the two proper marine Garmin plugs that will fit to the ends of the cable

J, I'm pretty sure Garmin Ethernet sockets are normal type you have in the office. I've plugged normal Ethernet cables into them and they work fine. In general, Raymarine pursue a policy of bespoking all their connectors to try to stop you using anything generic; Garmin are the very opposite so are the good guys on this aspect

+1 done it as well, don't remember if I used cross over though (neither if the device actually worked...)

John, are you sure you need x-over cables even on a v.simple one to one connection? I'll just connect the radar to a GPSMAP4008 on the lower helm, wont really need radar on the f/b tbh. Not a big issue as I'll check with a multimetre my garmin cable and do the same on the custom one

cheers

V.

 

[jfm]

I'm not a deep expert in Ethernet but Garmin definitely use crossover cables whereas in your office you probably use straight cables. I doubt it will work if you use the wrong type

I doubt that the straight/crossover question has anything to do with whether you are on a simple one-to-one set up or whether you have lots of Ethernet devices

Radar on flybr is useful for night sailing in hot summer nights. I use flybr radar all the time

 

[David2452]

The spec for the Garmin network cable is the same as standard Cat6, but with the addition that it is multi stranded and tinned, quite difficult to source, I think I have half of a 100m reel left in my stores, will have a look.

 

[Keith-i]

Vas, I've just checked my left-over length of cable and it is multi-strand. It also has Cat 5e printed on the side! JFM is correct about being wired crossover, the Garmin instructions for my radar give details and colour coding for field installing RJ45 connectors.

 

[vas]

thanks guys!

I can get cat 5e in a snap and also have the proper crimp tool, so once the hardtop is in place I should be able to route the cable and do the x-over connection easily

cheers

V.

 

[vas]

Vas, I've just checked my left-over length of cable and it is multi-strand. It also has Cat 5e printed on the side! JFM is correct about being wired crossover, the Garmin instructions for my radar give details and colour coding for field installing RJ45 connectors.

The spec for the Garmin network cable is the same as standard Cat6, but with the addition that it is multi stranded and tinned, quite difficult to source, I think I have half of a 100m reel left in my stores, will have a look.

sorry guys,
I read the messages quickly and replied without noticing the MULTISTRAND aspect!
I can only assume it's a "security" feature to make sure that wont break with extensive flexing and vibrations, right?
Which means I could use single core catwhatever cable.

I'll try and source some Garmin multistrand cable locally, if not I'll probably pm you David at the end of the month.

Radar on flybr is useful for night sailing in hot summer nights. I use flybr radar all the time

True, but my el-cheapo GPSMAP751 on the f/b doesn't look like it's a fully networked device. It does have a marine net port for a radar and indeed I've tried it at home and it works.
However, I doubt that if I get the marine net cable to the GPSMAP4008 on the lower helm and then by simply using another port (4008 has 3) to connect to the 751 I'll get the radar screen on the f/b. I'll try it but doesn't seem that's going to work.
I could use a netswitcher though

cheers

V.

 

[David2452]

sorry guys,
I read the messages quickly and replied without noticing the MULTISTRAND aspect!
I can only assume it's a "security" feature to make sure that wont break with extensive flexing and vibrations, right?
Which means I could use single core catwhatever cable.

I'll try and source some Garmin multistrand cable locally, if not I'll probably pm you David at the end of the month.

V.

Multi strand to prevent stress fracture through vibration and equally important tinned to reduce corrosion, both can lead to degradation or loss of data just when you need it in anger. Multi strand is relatively easy to source but add the tinned requirement to the mix and it becomes a lot more difficult to find, especially in relatively small quantities.