Mast wiring

[jmp]

Spent sunday investigating internal slapping in the mast to find a 3 core wire to masthead not in the conduit presumably for the purpose.I want to renew the VHF,tricolour ,steaming/deck,and fit a NASA wind system,all in the conduit.The NASA has a plug on the continuous wire which would appear to be unremoveable and will not fit in the conduit ,which has prominent rivet heads inside at intervals where fitted to the mast.I also think thee existing wires like immersion heater type cable are too bulky . What size wire is needed for the 4, 20w bulbs (may be able to reduce to 10w, if wire is much less bulky).

Is there a multi core wire with say 2 heavy cores for -v.This would be more likely to go in the conduit .

Has anyone joined a NASA wind cable .I see great inconvenience when removing the mast if all wire to the repeater has to come out, as well as the plug problem in the mast!

<hr width=100% size=1>jmp<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by jmp on 31/03/2003 09:30 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[dickh]

Fit the larget cable you can get or else you'll get voltage loss - 1.5mm² should be OK. Use TINNED copper cable if you can get it - <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rswww.com>http://www.rswww.com</A> does have some but not sure of the size. Do not reduce to 10w as you won't get the light output and with all these crazy merchant ships around that don't keep good lookouts you wanyt to be as visible as possible.
If it won't go down the conduit, fit inside the mast with 3 x plastic tie wraps arranged radially 120º apart and at regular intervals( assuming you can feed all this down your mast...)
My friend has just fitted the NASA wind system and he cut off the plug - and will resolder when the mast is put up.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[salamicollie]

Agree with dicks advice re the masthead lights - you can use two 3 core cables (share the earths) as you will not be using the tri and the anchor at the same time and the deck light will only be on for short periods..

You can definitely cut the NASA cable - it has four cores and a screen all of which must be reconnected. I have a split in the cable near the instrument with a small five pin bayonet connector that is sealed to IP67 (also from RS) plus a buccaneer deck plug at the base of the mast. I can then take the wind unit home when the mast comes down - also if you ever have the cups or vane damaged it is a lot easier to bring the unit down to replace them that do it at the top of the mast!

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[jmp]

Re: Mast wiring ,Dickh & Salamicollie

Thanks for your help.

Not heard of buccaneer deck fitting.I guess it comes from RS ?

<hr width=100% size=1>jmp

 

[SailingDoc]

You can definitely cut and join the NASA wind-instrument wire: I have done it myself (after checking with NASA, who have a very helpful advice service, BTW). It is the cables from log and depth transducers that should not be cut, as the length is critical. Not so with the wind instrument; you can cut out surplus cable if you wish, or join in more if it's not long enough.

Brian

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[DavidGrieves]

I fitted a NASA wind instrument about five years ago, I cut of the moulded plug and resoldered a new one on. It is the same 5 pin fitting as on a microphone. I bought mine from a local music shop. Still working fine...

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[paulrossall]

Re: Mast wiring ,Dickh & Salamicollie

Buccaneer IP68 Sealed Coupling Connectors are manufactured by Bulgin and can be purchased from Maplin. They are a standard fitting on some marine instruments, eg, a Simrad Tiller Pilot. They are an ideal connector to couple up a Yeoman plotter to a Garmin GPS as I am doing.

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[paulrossall]

I would not use a connector to IP67 at the top of my mast. IP68 is a higher spec and I would visit Maplins and see if one of their IP68 connectors is suitable. The problem with RS Components is that it is male order wheras you can go down to your local Maplin store and actually see what you are buying.

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[jmp]

Re: Mast wiring --Paulrossal

Thanks for the post .Will go to Maplins to see their merchandise.
May well save me a few quid as well as a more weatherproof job.

I seem to be getting a real benefit from this post .

Suprised NASA instructions were not helpful in the least .They implied that extention was the only option.Will contact them about this.

<hr width=100% size=1>jmp