Waterproofing connections for a plotter or similar on a bracket in the cockpit

[webcraft]

It has proven impossible (without major restructuring) to surface mount the new Matsutec 528A AIS transponder and plotter in the cockpit, not least because it is a stupid shape compared to the old 33A

I am therefore using the supplied bracket. However, the plugs at the back are going ot be exposed to the elements. The power plug looks as though it will be relatively waterproof, but what about the VHF aerial socket and the GPS aerial socket? Plus there is the multi-pin data plug, which has no cover on it and will not be used at the moment. I have included a picture of the back of the unit showing the sockets.

I would lo be able to dismount the unit and store it down below when the boat is not in use, so permanent or semi-permanent options like self-amalgamating tape are not ideal.

Would a simple cover on top of the unit - eg a three sided box structure that provided a mini 'hood' for the plugs - be sufficient?

I also thought of cable boots, but of course I would have to remove and remake the plugs and I am not sure where I would get the correct size boots.

I am sure some of you have faced similar problems and solved them, so over to you YBW hive mind

.

 

[Poecheng]

There is a pod for sale here https://forums.ybw.com/threads/mari...or-sale-on-ebay-buy-it-now-price-£195.619146/

 

[webcraft]

There is a pod for sale here https://forums.ybw.com/threads/marinepod-helm-pod-pre-cut-for-9-chartplotter-for-sale-on-ebay-buy-it-now-price-£195.619146/

Thanks for your speedy response, but . . .

Apart from the fact that it almost certainly doesn't fit the Matsutec, it costs nearly as much as the unit did!

And it is permanent. If I am going to leave the unit in place all the time then self amalgamating tape will be a lot cheaper!!

- W

 

[ylop]

It doesn’t seem to be IP rated ? If so I probably wouldn’t mount it where it would routinely see rain or spray. Inside a doghouse ok, under a sprayhood maybe, on my steering binnacle not ideal. BUT if you really want to then I think a blanking cap on the data connection and Vaseline on the others and with care you can probably protect the unit but when you remove it those connectors will be exposed to the elements so i would want them in some sort of box with a seal - which just seems like a lot of faff each time.

 

[Daydream believer]

When in use my plotter sits behind my tiller. I have it there because I do not have a sprayhood & I could not reach or see it on the cabin top anyway. In this position it does not get obscured by a crew if I had one.
Because I wanted to keep the rain & spray off I made a simple cover from polycarbonate. I cut a piece which I laid over a length of scaffold tube & warmed with a heat gun. It gently sagged over to a nice curve & the right angle. I cut 2 pieces for the ends. I did not know what glue to use so I used Sticks like to form a fillet to hold the end in place. A cord stops the unit going overboard .
I can see the plotter through the polycarbonate & if I want to adjust the plotter it is easy just to flip it back out of the way. When the plotter is not in use I cover the fitting & the ends of the connecting lead as can be seen in the picture
The plotter bracket rotates. The dial underneath is for the autopilot

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I used a clear self amalgamating tape Like this on VHF connections. It worked great and lasted well over a decade. It does not stick to the connector but tightens by compressing on itself. In your situation I would get some of this and cut it into a thin strip and bind your connections by overlapping the two parts of the connector.

There are also water proofing contact sprays, but I have not used one. YouTube videos of power drills being sprayed then picked up and plunged in bath of water while operating without the operator being electrocuted.

I would use amalgamating tape in your situation.

 

[ctva]

I will be using acrylic transparent material (like on sprayhoods) to make a flexible cover for my touchscreen plotter, fixed at the top only so easily accessable. You could do the same for the back. May or may not work.

I've never found cable boots very good.

 

[Daydream believer]

I will be using acrylic transparent material (like on sprayhoods) to make a flexible cover for my touchscreen plotter, fixed at the top only so easily accessable. You could do the same for the back. May or may not work.

But it has to hang off something first

 

[Refueler]

Corrosion X ... applied once connections are made ... repeat if connections are unmade and remade again ...

We user Corrosion X to protect RX / Servos / etc in model Waterplanes / off-road cars etc.

Not cheap - but it does what it says on the can.

Another is plain simple Kitchen Sandwich Wrap ... Clingfilm ... I use it to wrap spycams in and they have been submerged and never got a drop in ...

 

[webcraft]

Corrosion X ... applied once connections are made ... repeat if connections are unmade and remade again ...

We user Corrosion X to protect RX / Servos / etc in model Waterplanes / off-road cars etc.

Not cheap - but it does what it says on the can.

Another is plain simple Kitchen Sandwich Wrap ... Clingfilm ... I use it to wrap spycams in and they have been submerged and never got a drop in ...

Genius. Have ordered a CorrosionX aerosol and a 400m roll of 4cm wide clingfilm.

For anyone else looking for C orrosionX, their own website is by far the cheapest place to get it.

CorrosionX

 

[Daydream believer]

Personally I would forget clingfilm & seal the outside of the joint with this
Rubber joint sealant
I have used similar a product on the VHF transmitter handset cable on my Simrad VHF when the outer casing began to disintegrate exposing the wires. One cannot buy replacement cables.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Personally I would forget clingfilm & seal the outside of the joint with this
Rubber joint sealant
I have used similar a product on the VHF transmitter handset cable on my Simrad VHF when the outer casing began to disintegrate exposing the wires. One cannot buy replacement cables.

I also have a Simard VHF with a designated cable and that product looks like the job to fix it.

Unfortunately, Amazon will not ship to my location so do you know of any other supplier as it looks like it's from the far east

 

[Daydream believer]

I also have a Simard VHF with a designated cable and that product looks like the job to fix it.

Unfortunately, Amazon will not ship to my location so do you know of any other supplier as it looks like it's from the far east

I bought some in a tube in an emergency in Ostend which was sold for repairing wellington boots. However, there are other manufacturers about if you look. I wonder if the material used for dipping rope ends in for liquid whipping might do the job. This link is out of stock but there may be similar products
Starbright

 

[rogerthebodger]

Thanks DB

I found this on E Bay which looks like the sane of what you posted

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[Refueler]

I bought some in a tube in an emergency in Ostend which was sold for repairing wellington boots. However, there are other manufacturers about if you look. I wonder if the material used for dipping rope ends in for liquid whipping might do the job. This link is out of stock but there may be similar products
Starbright

The question is - will you be able to disconnect / reconnect easily ? CorrosionX allows that ..

 

[rogerthebodger]

The question is - will you be able to disconnect / reconnect easily ? CorrosionX allows that ..

If the issue DB has is the same as mine its the curly cable the connects to the connector that has perished and its just the sheath of the curly cable that has been glued back together and the

 

[Cerebus]

Thanks DB

I found this on E Bay which looks like the sane of what you posted

Pardon Our Interruption...

Bit off topic but why does any link to ebay result in the “Pardon our interruption” phrase rather than a usual link?

I have never seen this before and find it intriguing.

 

[Daydream believer]

The forum (&others) have shown that the Simrad cable is prone to disintegration of the outersheath. Numerous people have searched for a replacement without success & this has meant that a decent radio has been consigned to the bin.
I was on holiday & the thing just fell apart in my hand without warning. I tried this jollop & a Belgian friend did some radio check with some other boats for me and it all worked Ok. However, when I got home I changed for a New VHF.
I now have A simrad RD 64 for sale, going cheap for anyone who wants to take a chance on coating the lead further along the curls

 

[webcraft]

The question is - will you be able to disconnect / reconnect easily ? CorrosionX allows that ..

Yes. As does the backup clingfilm. Belt and braces, a little fiddly to get the clingfilm off but not as difficult as self amalgamating tape (solid or liquid)

- W

 

[Daydream believer]

''