Tips for weather proof in-line connector?
- Thread starter BabaYaga
- Start date
prv
Well-Known Member
Interesting - I use the Superseal connectors but I wasn't aware of the boots. Does it heat-shrink or adhere to the cable in some way, or is it just plain rubber?
I generally use adhesive-lined heatshrink to seal the plugs to the cable, though that only really works with the two-way size.
Pete
BabaYaga
Well-Known Member
Thank you all for your input, so far. Quite a few alternatives to consider.
captainboo
Well-Known Member
The ones I got via an ebay seller were just rubber and I used silicone grease to lubricate and help seal with no problems. I guess you could always use a hot glue gun to ensure a more permanent seal but they were reasonably tight on the mating surfaces.
tross
Well-Known Member
I would stick with the Bulgin. I spent a lot of time researching waterproof connectors as part of my job. I used these, including the small series for every connection on my last boat and I never had a single problem with them in 10 years. I even had two in the outboard well that where regularly immersed in salt water. With the small connectors pins you can solder on. Make sure the gland nuts done up tight and coat the pins in silicon grease as well as the sealing O rings.
barronsuse
New Member
Agree to choose the right sized connector. Lots of online store sell that.
BoatyMcBoat
New Member
@BabaYaga: this might be a bit of a long shot, but have you considered wireless connectors? I've used them in a couple of projects now, and it's saved me soooo many headaches (many of which you're talking about now!). Never had any issues. Completely waterproof. Might be an option?
Diagram from here.
If it isn't then, yeah, I'd agree with Tross. Bulgin is the standard to beat for waterproof connectors. Have used them for 5+ years without issue :encouragement:
Diagram from here.
If it isn't then, yeah, I'd agree with Tross. Bulgin is the standard to beat for waterproof connectors. Have used them for 5+ years without issue :encouragement:
KellysEye
Well-Known Member
>They're waterproof to the sheathing of the cable, but the actual bullet connection isn't waterproof.
I never a had a water ingress problem with them.
I never a had a water ingress problem with them.
pvb
Well-Known Member
Which have you used? Most of the products on your linked website don't seem to be waterproof.
PS By the way, welcome to the forums!
BoatyMcBoat
New Member
Thanks PVB! Long time lurker, so I thought it was about time I became active
As for the products themselves, that site is just one example. There are a few different manufacturers from what I've found. They've been renamed since, but pretty sure I'm using a variant of the 100W module with a custom enclosure. Still work involved, obvs, but it cuts out a bunch of the secondary concerns with the physical connection point etc. Hope that makes sense!
ip485
Well-Known Member
With a bit of lateral thinking if you want a cheap and easy solution and this is the only wire up the mast (it might not be) you could just solder and heat shrink. If the mast is only coming down once a year snip the wire and redo the next season (leaving a small coil each end when you first put the wire in). It will be water proof, and I bet joining it up once a year will not take much longer year on year than fitting "proper connectors". Just a thought if not the totally "professional" way of going!
BabaYaga
Well-Known Member
As a cheap and easy solution I would probably choose crimp on bullet connectors + heat shrink, but I would really prefer a proper, waterproof connector. I will look into the smaller Buccaneers, Would save me some hassle at the mast crane, tends to be stressful enough as it is.
