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Fitting a doppler radar. The data cable has 18mm plugs on both ends, nightmare to route through trunking and bulkheads. Has anyone cut and spliced? Any problems?
Raymarine digital radar cable - can it be cut and spliced?
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PaulRainbow
Well-known member
Yes it can, solder and heat shrink would be best. Or you can cut it and fit something like RJ45 connectors.
[2574]
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Thanks Paul. How about Wago connectors?
PaulRainbow
Well-known member
You could, little clumsy though.
[2574]
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Thanks. I know what you mean about clumsy - but my soldering skills are also clumsy, which is being polite!
lustyd
Well-known member
2 x rj45 and a coupler plus crimping tool is probably similar in cost to Wagos, you may know someone with a crimp tool (find a computer geek). I'd only do this in a dry boat, but it's better than solder since it can more easily be disconnected. That said, how often is the mast down 
Tea_Bag
New member
Looking to do something similar. Outdoor LAN couplers have caught my attention.
External Outdoor Cat6 RJ45 Ethernet Coupler Joiner Waterproof Weatherproof Hood
External Outdoor Cat6 RJ45 Ethernet Coupler Joiner Waterproof Weatherproof Hood
skedaddle
New member
I recently installed a Furuno DRS4D-NXT and had to cut the RJ45 connector off the Display end of the cable to get the cable thru.
My observations were:- the original connector was a Shielded RJ 45 not a standard version. The cable had a braided screen and drain wire that were soldered to the outer shield on the Shielded RJ45 plug.
It seemed that Furuno had gone to quite some effort to ensure the best possible continuity of the screen from Radome to Display Unit. I reconnected as they had done, all working.
Extending the cable is another matter. The beige coloured “connectors” as seen everywhere are used on UTP and do not in my experience connect the shield. Only the 8 conductors of the Cat5/6 cable.
Most Cat5e cables are UTP ie Unshielded Twisted Pair. There is available STP ie Shielded Twisted Pair. I have never seen a STP cable with the quality/density of shielding as was supplied by Furuno. From recollection the Furuno had only 4 conductors crimped into the RJ45 connector.
Maybe it would be wise to take a good look at how the screen is connected with those 18mm plugs
My observations were:- the original connector was a Shielded RJ 45 not a standard version. The cable had a braided screen and drain wire that were soldered to the outer shield on the Shielded RJ45 plug.
It seemed that Furuno had gone to quite some effort to ensure the best possible continuity of the screen from Radome to Display Unit. I reconnected as they had done, all working.
Extending the cable is another matter. The beige coloured “connectors” as seen everywhere are used on UTP and do not in my experience connect the shield. Only the 8 conductors of the Cat5/6 cable.
Most Cat5e cables are UTP ie Unshielded Twisted Pair. There is available STP ie Shielded Twisted Pair. I have never seen a STP cable with the quality/density of shielding as was supplied by Furuno. From recollection the Furuno had only 4 conductors crimped into the RJ45 connector.
Maybe it would be wise to take a good look at how the screen is connected with those 18mm plugs
[2574]
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Thanks for the guidance, I will have a good look at the shielding.
lustyd
Well-known member
The shielding is nice to have but not really necessary. It’s part of the standard for more modern Ethernet that runs at higher speeds and therefore needs less noise. Radar doesn’t run at such speeds but still better to connect it. You do need to ground the MFD and switch though otherwise it doesn’t do much.
You’ll also need a connector for the power. I think I used a 3 pin here and included the shielding for ease but was a while ago.
You’ll also need a connector for the power. I think I used a 3 pin here and included the shielding for ease but was a while ago.
papaver19
Member
I did exactly this with my Quantum 2 doppler data cable - no way that plug was going inside the tubes of the arch otherwise. The cable is tinned, so no long-term problems with corrosion getting into the copper conductors. I re-soldered them & heat-shrunk the results. It looks a bit of a dog's breakfast, but works great.
