Getting wires down the mast

[CompassRose2]

I have a 1984 Hunter 31. Time to update the wind transducer at the mast head. Raymarine says I have to replace the wire as well as the trasducer. Any one tackles this bit of unpleasantness?

Curious as to if there is a BEST way to approach it? Is it easier to pull the old wire down the mast into the cabin or go the other way (UP) the mast. Naturally I will attach the new wire to the appropriate end so the new wire comes with the old.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Jim, from the deck of Compass Rose

:dance:

 

[Steve Dion]

I would connect a fish line to the existing end inside the boat. Then you can attach the new wire to the fish line and pull it down.

 

[Bill Roosa]

kinda depends on how comfortable you are when up the mast. Pulling on wires can take two hands when gravity is trying to pull it back down the mast. my rule is one hand for the boat so I would have the First mate pull the wires from inside the cabin while I fed the new wire into the mast head.

 

[CompassRose2]

I have a 1984 Hunter 31. Time to update the wind transducer at the mast head. Raymarine says I have to replace the wire as well as the trasducer. Any one tackles this bit of unpleasantness?

Curious as to if there is a BEST way to approach it? Is it easier to pull the old wire down the mast into the cabin or go the other way (UP) the mast. Naturally I will attach the new wire to the appropriate end so the new wire comes with the old.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Jim, from the deck of Compass Rose

:dance:

Thanks for the thoughts guys.

 

[artboas]

You need to pull it down

Thanks for the thoughts guys.

The Raymarine wind cable has a plug and mount hard wired at the top
You need to pull it down.

At deck level attach a good quality 1/8" fish line to the end of the original cable.
Do this very well, but avoid lumps.
Use a long section of tape, and taper it well
Now, from the top if the mast, pull the fish up

Once you have the fish exiting the top, attach the new windchill cable free end.
Secure this very well, with a long tapered connection.
Coat the wire with a small amount of silicone grease, and slowly pull it down.

Don't force it, or you'll bust tote fish connection

 

[CompassRose2]

The Raymarine wind cable has a plug and mount hard wired at the top
You need to pull it down.

At deck level attach a good quality 1/8" fish line to the end of the original cable.
Do this very well, but avoid lumps.
Use a long section of tape, and taper it well
Now, from the top if the mast, pull the fish up

Once you have the fish exiting the top, attach the new windchill cable free end.
Secure this very well, with a long tapered connection.
Coat the wire with a small amount of silicone grease, and slowly pull it down.

Don't force it, or you'll bust tote fish connection

I now have the cable and indeed it is prefabbed at the masthead. So the new wire will have to go down the mast. I have some good fish line so that will be the plan....thanks to all for the responses, I'll let you know the results in a couple of weeks. I have some business travel to get out of the way then it's up the mast.....Thanks....Captain Jim.:dance:

 

[wufibugs]

Once you get the wire down the mast, where will you go with it then? The PO installed the wind speed indicator and ran the wiring down inside the mast, then inside the headliner, out the starboard locker where it ties into the instruments that were installed in the cabin wall above the sink. That's one long pull.