Wiring repair

[Rappey]

This is a raymarine dragonfly transducer. As you can see in the pic the cable is broken where it enters the rubber protector. The wires are still intact so I'm looking for ideas on how to repair/ seal/ support the cable.
There is a moulded plug on the other end so i cant slide anything over the cable

 

[rogerthebodger]

sikaflex followed by wrapping in self amelging tape.

 

[VicS]

+ 1 for self amalgamating tape and a sealant.

Sikaflex or a similar polyurethane sealant.
or CT1 perhaps but not a silicone which produces acetic acid as it cures.

 

[Supertramp]

Electrical shrink sleeve? If a wide piece will pass over the plug.

 

[Rappey]

Sikaflex and self amalgamating tape were my first thoughts but i want to sell the item so would like to make it look half decent . I came across a mouldable product call Sugru but never seen it before..

 

[Boathook]

I feel that the cable needs some 'support' to restrict any bending. Followed by a decent amalagating tape.

 

[dunedin]

Sikaflex and self amalgamating tape were my first thoughts but i want to sell the item so would like to make it look half decent . I came across a mouldable product call Sugru but never seen it before..

Sugru would do it. Had some sealing wires going into pulpit for a few years.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

+2 for Sugru. The World's First Mouldable Glue and How to Use and Apply Sugru

 

[Dellquay13]

I feel that the cable needs some 'support' to restrict any bending. Followed by a decent amalagating tape.

Empty inners from disposable ballpoints make good ‘splints’ for cable joints.

However it is sealed, it’s likely going to have a very hard life.

Poking out just below the transom on a 6m fast fisher or such at 20+knots is going to test anybody’s waterproofing abilities. It’s a harsh environment for intact cables never mind a repair.
I would give any potential buyer a heads up that it’s been repaired, if they are intending to put it on the type of fast boats that typically use a fishfinder.

 

[Stemar]

IIRC, the boat is a 26' yacht, so it won't have as hard a life as on a fast fishing boat.

 

[Dellquay13]

IIRC, the boat is a 26' yacht, so it won't have as hard a life as on a fast fishing boat.

It’s being repaired ready to be put on sale. A combined chart plotter and fishfinder with skimmer transducer is likely to be bought for a small fast fisher

 

[Rappey]

I think its a wonderful item with chart plotter, sonar, echo sounder, downvision, water temp etc, but i can't see it would be that useful on a sailing boat transom as it would keep lifting out of the water in any waves ? There is a bronze through hull available but it's over £600 .
Sugru looked good and with two people giving it a thumbs up i think i shall give it a go.

 

[andsarkit]

If it has been near seawater in that condition it is probably ruined. The seawater will have wicked into the braid of the coax and into the piezo element and even if it works now it will soon fail.
I had a transducer inside the hull in a tube filled with fresh water and a small crack in the insulation damaged it beyond repair. If I had used oil in the tube it probably would have survived.

 

[Dellquay13]

I think its a wonderful item with chart plotter, sonar, echo sounder, downvision, water temp etc, but i can't see it would be that useful on a sailing boat transom as it would keep lifting out of the water in any waves ? There is a bronze through hull available but it's over £600 .
Sugru looked good and with two people giving it a thumbs up i think i shall give it a go.

I have a Lowrance equivalent on a Shetland Family4, and the level of detail from a good chirp and hdi sonar is amazing. It is brilliant for seeing bottom detail before dropping the anchor, but keeping the transducer in clear bubble free water at 25kts is key to clear imaging at speed. I have given up on that really and just revert to a big numeric display of the depth when planing. Much better sonar than the basic nasa on my yacht though, even at speed.

 

[MontyMariner]

As the dragonfly transducer sits in the water, I would first cut the coax sleeve back a few mil each side and clean up the screen then bind it with tinned copper wire to give it a bit more mechanical strength.
I've not come across Sugru before, it looks like it's a useful product, but will it stick to the coax sleeve? I know Sikaflex will. Maybe use Sikaflex and cover with Sugru rather than Self Amalgamating tape

 

[Rappey]

The sugru arrived and here is the result. Its waterproof, flexible ,uv resistant and rated from -60c to 180c.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

That's an excellent looking repair.

 

[Rappey]

Thank you. Its ever so easy to mould and smooth. I found out about it when i googled "frayed cable repair"