masthead electronics

[masterofnone]

After reading prev post, I presume w/proof mastheadlight & vhf sockets are de rigour, as opposed to thru deck gland, Now , If you would be kind enough to point me in the right direction.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[bedouin]

IMHO there is no such thing as a waterproof deck sockets. My boat is currently fitted this way, but suffers from corrosion in two places. The plugs and sockets themselves corrode and water gets into the plugs themselves, corroding the wires and internal connections.

This winter they are coming off and being replaced by glands and connections in the dry.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[johnsomerhausen]

I had to cut the cable of the NASA Target windspeed and direction indicator so that I could have the mast down without dismantlking half the boat to extract the cable. I got some connectors from "yachtbits.co.uk" that seem to do the job nicely. Can´t remember the name but it seems they aree Lloyds approved as "waterproof".
john

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Evadne]

Avoid the metal shelled ones you see in every chandlery, they are crap. I fitted some "Dri plug" connectors two seasons ago and they are still OK. Come back in 10 years to find out if they are any good. I've also used "Buccaneer" connectors on instruments at work, which you find in RS & Farnell catalogues/websites and some chandleries. They are very similar, as tough as a plastic plug is ever going to be and are equally waterproof if fitted correctly.

Basically, if it says rated to IP67 it should do the job. IP65 or 66 may be acceptable, but will not stand immersion. Gold plated pins would be even better, or you have to polish the pins every year and a liberal dose of waxoyl in the plug after assembly does no harm at all. I've not seen a good commercial waterproof co-ax socket, and have to confess I use a 2-pin connector and accept the loss of range.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Talbot]

Whilst some of theose metal ones may not be very good. I have had one on my boat for the last 21 years without corrosion or loss of signal. Within the solent I hear Portland all the time, and have heard Brixham, and the French one (cant remember the name) and aon a couple of occasions even further afield, so dont think there is a lot wrong with it!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Evadne]

I didn't mean to denigrate all metal connectors, the ones I've had trouble with have a metal body with a screw collar and a rubber washer that the pins poke through as the sole means of keeping water out out the join. The body is protected by a rubber grommet that is tightened around the cable. It may simply be age that was the problem with mine, i.e. the rubber giving up, but I found at the end of each season the brass pins had turned a dull brown and had to be polished with crocus paper and/or brasso. This may not hurt a vhf signal but it puts a significant resistance in the way of any lights. I also found that the complete lack of strain relief meant that cables that get knocked from time to time are prone to disconnecting themselves. Liberally coating things with grease and waxoyl helps, but in the end I gave up.

Incidentally, a part of my job involves using underwater connectors and even if money is no object there is still no such thing as the perfect connector, despite decades of development.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[masterofnone]

Many thanks , gentlemen.

<hr width=100% size=1>