Splicing a Radar Data Cable

[Ian_Rob]

I want to re-splice the various wires in a radar cable following the re-stepping of our boat mast. I understand that solder ring, adhesive lined, butt connectors aren’t considered best practice as the solder can cause corrosion and was planning to use the non-solder (crimped?), adhesive lined alternative.

Anything better? The joint will be below deck.

 

[lustyd]

If it’s a modern one then RJ45 and a coupler is fine plus a power connector (I used an auto connector for power I think)

 

[fredrussell]

Big fan of Wago connectors here.

 

[lustyd]

Big fan of Wago connectors here.

You’d need 10 of them for a modern radar so not all that practical given their size, and would be a pain to install and later remove.

 

[wonkywinch]

Phone companies use little jelly connectors but a better way, if it's a modern radar, is a waterproof RJ45 connector with the 12v supply on wagos outside of that.

 

[Neeves]

Investigate with the manufacturer of sourcing 2 cables of the appropriate size with a supplied connection at roughly the location of the mast base. If you have opted for radar then it was not cheap and you really don't need to rely on a connection that might not be robust.

In the final analysis its balancing cost with confidence in your own ability to make a 'splice'.


How many bottles of malt do you need to sacrifice for a warranted connection?


Confession time - when we installed our Simrad radar I used one continuous cable but ensured that the section within the accommodation was easy to retrieve in easily accessible 'roomy' conduits. I was conscious that the mast, for re-rigging, would need to be removed well within the life of the radar.

Jonathan

 

[wonkywinch]

With respect, you don't need to buy two custom made products from the manufacturer to ensure a "robust connection". RJ45 connections using quality plugs and the proper crimp tool are very reliable and easy to do.

If you lack the skills, just get your local boat electronics people round, it's a 5 minute job.

 

[lustyd]

RJ45 connections using quality plugs

Good point. Bit of a tip here, go for Cat5 shielded plugs. Cat6 and onwards you'll often get plugs designed for thicker wires which results in poor connections if the wires are not actually thicker. While the new pass through connectors look easier to crimp, if you have the wrong size wires it's a nightmare. Screwfix sell Cat5 shielded connectors.
Ideal RJ45 8P/8C Modular Plug 25 Pack - Screwfix
And a crimp tool
RJ45 Crimping Tool 8" (200mm) - Screwfix

Or borrow the tool from someone, ideally bringing them along to do the crimps which take about 5 minutes.

 

[fredrussell]

You’d need 10 of them for a modern radar so not all that practical given their size, and would be a pain to install and later remove.

Fair points. I just like the simplicity of them really, and that they’re reusable.(Treehugger/tightarse)

 

[Ian_Rob]

Phone companies use little jelly connectors but a better way, if it's a modern radar, is a waterproof RJ45 connector with the 12v supply on wagos outside of that.

View attachment 164689View attachment 164690

I like the idea of these but with 10 individual wires, I think the overall cable might become a bit bulky……

 

[Fr J Hackett]

A simple chocolate block connector in a box tucked up behind the headlining ( other places are available) worked well enough for me.

 

[wonkywinch]

The problem with choc block, wagos etc is the length of network/data cable that has to be untwisted from it's twisted pair format thus allowing more scope for interference where the wires are not protected from electromagnetic interference by virtue of the twisted pair method.

Nearby power leads, LED lights or their circuits are prime culprits.

 

[lustyd]

Fair points. I just like the simplicity of them really, and that they’re reusable.(Treehugger/tightarse)

RJ45s can be reused too, just unplug from the coupler

 

[PaulRainbow]

I like the idea of these but with 10 individual wires, I think the overall cable might become a bit bulky……

These are IDC connectors, absolutely horrible, no place on a boat.

 

[Sandy]

A simple chocolate block connector in a box tucked up behind the headlining ( other places are available) worked well enough for me.

Like @Fr J Hackett I have a simple chocolate block. There is no way I am spending £17 worth of beer tokens on a crimping tool that I will use once!

 

[lustyd]

You'll almost certainly know someone with the tool if you ask around. That person will also probably have a couple of connectors you could have for free, I have hundreds and would happily do a couple of free crimps if someone needed them

 

[Sandy]

You'll almost certainly know someone with the tool if you ask around. That person will also probably have a couple of connectors you could have for free, I have hundreds and would happily do a couple of free crimps if someone needed them

I really, really don't know anybody who spends their time crimping RJ45 connectors. When working even our IT geeks refused to make up cables.

 

[Parabordi]

A simple chocolate block connector in a box tucked up behind the headlining ( other places are available) worked well enough for me.

and me

 

[davidmh]

I agree with Neeves, best way to install a radar cable on a small boat is to use the original multi core cable from the radar unit directly to the dome. The plug on the cable is not too big to go through a hole in the deck and with a little thought you can route the cable below so that it is easily removed.

DavidMH

 

[Slahm]

No one seems to have said what type of radar. To clarify, you might have either a newer radar, like Raymarine, which uses Ethernet to move the data, or in the case of an older analog cable, it will have some coaxial cables in there for the data that are not so easy to splice.

If Ethernet, ----- (for raymarine, they call it Raynet - it is EXACTLY the same thing using their custom connectors)
Splicing is simple, can be done by you, or anyone with the 10-15 dollar tool. Can be soldered, can be twisted together and taped if you like living like that. You can add a connector at the mast base for the future. You can do it about any way you want. The slow ethernet they are using is very tolerant for this. If you do put on a normal ethernet cable end, you also have the added benefit that you can start to add ALL your raymarine devices together without buying expensive Raymarine networking devices in the future. You can basically save a ton of money by using off the shelf(10-50 dollar) hubs, cables, etc. Just change the cable end of all your devices in the very same way.


If analog cable---
Well, there could be coaxial cables, power cables, data link cables and other in there. My Furuno was spliced in a way that I found surprising it worked. Even the tiny coaxial cable, which SHOULD be sensitive to outside interference was simply cut and soldered. But it worked. I would have probably done better job maintaining the impedance, or bought a longer cable, but the previous owner did it that way, and it still worked... It was in a box, with a whole bunch of screw down terminals.

Good luck!

Also, when it comes to solder causing corrosion, that should not be an issue if you seal the connections properly. Yes it can be done. There are pros and cons to every connection method, but electrically solder is superior. Make sure every connection you have on your boat stays dry. (Yeah, I know, do as I say, not as I do)