Mast Wiring

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Witzend

Witzend

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Dec 25, 2008
1,580
catalina 310 Elk River
Anyone ever added wiring down a furler mast for a wind transducer on a 2001 Cat 310? There appears to already be a (5) wire cable rolled up at the base of the mast. I'm not sure how it is at the top, stub sticking out the top, pull the cap off cause it is rolled up inside, can that be done, don't know until I go up and look? If I have to drop the cable that Raymarine provides, how does that work? Is there a separate channel to run wires that is isolated from the halyards? If I can use this cable I would need to install a junction box on top, not to crazy about have such exposed and remote.
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
If you call the spar manufacturer, I'm sure they could answer all of your questions regarding the channels in the mast and such. IIRC, the wind instrument transducer mount has the wires already attached to it, and all you'd have to do is drop those wires down the mast and fish them out at the bottom, and use either a connector or terminal block to connect it to the wires running through the cabin and to the instruments. It would help if you said which wind instrument it is, since that would indicate how many wires are required by it.

BTW, this is one reason I went with TackTick instruments when I upgraded my boat two season ago. No wiring hassles in the stick. :)
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
Well, you're probably better off running cable. IIRC, the ST60/ST60+ wind transducer uses five wires for the wind vane/speed. However, you're far better off dropping the long transducer cable down the mast, and putting a multi-pin connector, terminal strip or cable clam down at the base of the mast—rather than using the existing wires in the mast and putting a terminal strip at the top of the mast. :) Trust me, you'll have enough connection issues as it is without having to climb the mast to fix the connection there.

I'd also recommend using a good dielectric grease on the contacts to help stave off any corrosion problems. :)
 
Witzend

Witzend

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Dec 25, 2008
1,580
catalina 310 Elk River
I have a mil-spec soldering cert. If I use the existing cable because I can't get access, I will use mil-spec solder sleeves and heat shrink, no physical connection. I know the existing is 5 wire, but I'm not sure if it is shielded like the cable Raymarine has provided. Not sure it matters in the mast anyway. I really won't know what my options are until some hauls my useless up the pole
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
Witzend—

Personally, I'm not a big fan of soldered connections on a boat... that's a no-no IMHO.
 
T

txjim

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Sep 4, 2007
154
Hunter 170 Grapevine Lake, TX
Witzend said:
I have a mil-spec soldering cert. If I use the existing cable because I can't get access, I will use mil-spec solder sleeves and heat shrink, no physical connection. I know the existing is 5 wire, but I'm not sure if it is shielded like the cable Raymarine has provided. Not sure it matters in the mast anyway. I really won't know what my options are until some hauls my useless up the pole
Click to expand
Solder sleeves and heat shrink do not form a hermetic seal. Using the MIL reference, I'd refer you to MIL-STD-810 where the Salt Fog test is specified. I can confidently state that connections protected by heat shrink will NOT pass that test.

You will see corrosion in your connections.
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
The connections, if they're up at the top of the mast and exposed, should ideally be crimped and using adhesive lined heat shrink tubing...
 
Witzend

Witzend

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Dec 25, 2008
1,580
catalina 310 Elk River
What do you think is used in all your electronics, solder connections. Believe me I know how to make a good connection with the proper materials. I took over a division of Lockheed Martin over 10yrs ago and I repair the computers that are used to launch the Peacekeeper, and Trident missile systems as well as many other legacy systems. These Rolm computers are hardened and can withstand the harshest environments. The materials I have access to are used for these computers. Another option
I have is to use one of the many gold contact mil-spec connectors I have available. I would prefer not to have any connections, but if necessary I will.
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Witz, if you know the mast builder, go on their web site. Mine is USSpars and knowing the model number of your spars helps see the profile and insides and all attachments.
 
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