Speed log with a cut cable

[davidbfox]

There's a NASA Clipper log on ebay with paddle wheel etc but the cable has been cut between paddle wheel and clipper unit. Is it a straightforward soldering job to repair, so worth going for if price is very low? Or is it a really bad idea. I seem to remember that you can't alter cables on echo sounders. Does this apply to logs too?

 

[savageseadog]

Not a problem. Just make sure the connections are sound and waterproof.

 

[Jonny_H]

The one on our boat has been cut. It's coaxial cable so difficult to join with a 'choc block' type connector (tried several times and failed!). I have just bought a coaxial plug and socket (for hifi use etc) from CPC (gold plated Phillips one cost 35p!!) and wired it up. Not sure if it will work yet as not been out to try it, but as its just joining a coaxial cable I can't forsee why it won't work.

Don't think the cable length for the log is as sensitive as it is for the depth sounder.

Jonny

 

[mikejames]

Go for it.
Solder the connections of the wire to the plug and socket and make sure its well wrapped in waterproof tape. Better still , plug together the plug and socket then wrap in self-amalgamating tape with an overall wrap of PVC tape to keep out water.

The log signal is a small amplitude AC signal and it will not matter making the wire shorter or longer. The voltage is low so water has little effect except causing corrosion of the wiring - I once had to replace about a metre of the wire from a speed log transducer because the copper in it was blackened by corrosion. Some git had additionally glassed it to the hull on a Sigma 33.

 

[Guest]

Make a good joint and bobs proverbial .... or if you don't need the extra length - join as is from tranducer to display ... length is not important. What is important is resistance to the low voltage pulse.

Echo sounders use cable length + time to travel through water of the sound pulse to calculate depth ... that is why cutting a ES cable is not a good idea.

 

[[3889]]

Not a problem. I used my clipper unit soldered to a transducer from another sounder. You can adjust reading +/- 40% if necessary.