Multistrand cable, joining and purpose

[Humblebee]

Hi all, I've just taken down my mast for the winter. There are four cables going up the mast, three with glands on the deck, each with different fittings. The one I am unsure about is thin, multistrand, something like this;
5 Core Thin Wall Cable - 5 x 16.5A (1.0mm²).
It is joined under the deck, passing through a narrow hole in the deck, with chocblock connectors and is most awkward to access and reconnect.
So, first question, what is this cable likely to be for?
Second questions, is there a better way of joining it below the deck?
Thanks all,
Chris

 

[Daydream believer]

So, first question, what is this cable likely to be for?

Cut it off & you will soon find out when you put the mast back up
.
Surely you know what is up your mast. When it is down just hook a 12 v battery up to them & do a test to see what does what. But in any event take pictures of the chock box connections inside the boat so you know what connects to what when you re connect. Choc box are good for this but if you are going to do the mast down job from time to time then fit bootlace ends, crimped to the wire ends, rather than just bare wires- which will degrade over time as the screws cut into individual strands
A VHF & AIS aerial should be obvious

 

[Sandy]

What is up the mast? That should give you a clue. I'd guess - lights. Tri, steaming, anchor and deck.

Lots of options for joins. All depends what you like.

 

[rogerthebodger]

When I wired up my mast, I fitted a swan neck on a stainless box, and I connected the wires inside the box with crimp bullet connectors. Each wire had number rings showing which wire must be connected to which

 

[fredrussell]

5 Core Thin Wall Cable - 5 x 16.5A (1.0mm²).
It is joined under the deck, passing through a narrow hole in the deck, with chocblock connectors and is most awkward to access and reconnect.
So, first question, what is this cable likely to be for?

Wind transducer?

 

[neil_s]

This could be it. NASA wind V1 uses a four core plus screen. Wires are red, black, blue and white

 

[PaulRainbow]

Wind transducer?

Most likely

 

[BabaYaga]

Second questions, is there a better way of joining it below the deck?

I use this type of connectors for the mast wires
520-210-003-KITRS | EDAC, 520 Panel Connector Panel Mount, 3P, 8.5A | RS
very small and reliable, as the contacts are gold plated. Once installed, they can then only be mated correctly. For a 5 core cable, such as wind transducer, a double and a triple pole connector in combination can be used.

 

[justanothersailboat]

Very likely to be wind. I severed mine at deck level and fitted a 5-pin plastic "aviation" waterproof connector which I was pretty impressed by the construction of (very thorough design with o-rings). Doesn't seem to have caused the wind instrument any problems. It's sat through quite some rain and waves since. I was nervous because those cables can be fairly expensive, but I seem to have got away with it. If it works with a choc-block below deck it ought to work with a proper plug and socket.

 

[MontyMariner]

I use this type of connectors for the mast wires
520-210-003-KITRS | EDAC, 520 Panel Connector Panel Mount, 3P, 8.5A | RS
very small and reliable, as the contacts are gold plated. Once installed, they can then only be mated correctly. For a 5 core cable, such as wind transducer, a double and a triple pole connector in combination can be used.

Similar to Mate-N-Lok
Mate N Lok Connectors

 

[BabaYaga]

Similar to Mate-N-Lok
Mate N Lok Connectors

However, somewhat bulkier, from what I can see and also tin plated vs gold plated.

 

[Humblebee]

Cut it off & you will soon find out when you put the mast back up
.
Surely you know what is up your mast. When it is down just hook a 12 v battery up to them & do a test to see what does what. But in any event take pictures of the chock box connections inside the boat so you know what connects to what when you re connect. Choc box are good for this but if you are going to do the mast down job from time to time then fit bootlace ends, crimped to the wire ends, rather than just bare wires- which will degrade over time as the screws cut into individual strands
A VHF & AIS aerial should be obvious

Thanks for that, there is a wind indicator which shows direction but not speed (as it should), a VHF which works and has an easily recognisable connection. Nothing else up there works - anchor light, tricolour, deck light and maybe others I don't recall.

 

[Humblebee]

Thanks Fred, Neil and Paul, I think you have pointed me in the right direction. One to explore over the coming months.

 

[Humblebee]

Similar to Mate-N-Lok
Mate N Lok Connectors

Thanks Monty, they look like they might do the biz.

 

[Daydream believer]

Trouble with those you cannot get them through a small deck gland. Even difficult to get through a hawse pipe..So not really suitable for situations where they have to be disconnected & passed back through a deck fitting.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Trouble with those you cannot get them through a small deck gland. Even difficult to get through a hawse pipe..So not really suitable for situations where they have to be disconnected & passed back through a deck fitting.

Thats why I fitted a swam neck to a stainless-steel box on the top of the deck so any connector does not have to pass through any deck gland


my mast step and mat connection box

https://flic.kr/p/WM4ecp

 

[PaulRainbow]

A row of Wago connectors under the deck, epoxied in place, works well with mast wires that may need removing.

 

[Tranona]

A row of Wago connectors under the deck, epoxied in place, works well with mast wires that may need removing.

Exactly what I use. Make them up on a labeled board so no chance of mistakes. Cables led through a swan neck.

 

[LittleSister]

Make them up on a labeled board so no chance of mistakes.

Such labels only encourage one to encourage one to let one's guard down!

 

[Tranona]

Such labels only encourage one to encourage one to let one's guard down!

Well the guard would have to be really down or the alcohol level up to get it wrong when the colours match the labels and the wires are cut to length so they only fit in one port!