Quality Deck electrical connectors

[Rltgold]

When I first bought my boat it had some pretty sketchy mast connections. It started with an old black plastic SeaCrap (SeaDog) 4 pin connector. My mast lights were not working very well so the first place to start was to take the little plugs parts. Inside I found lots of corrosion so I decided to buy a new "Chrome" SeaCrap connector thinking it would be an upgrade. I have to back up a bit a say that we mostly sail in saltwater off the coast of California. I refitted the new plug and got all the mast lights working again, for awhile. When the lights started going out again I opened up the plugs only to find more corrosion and a wire that had worked itself almost loose from it's microscopic terminal . Here's the part were I'm going to bad mouth SeaDog. The design on their deck connectors is so bad I can't believe they sell them! The tiny Microscopic terminal has the worlds smallest screw in the world to hold the wire in place. Then you have to try and slip 4 wires into a hole in the top that all most impossible to achieve . Once you get the cap down there is another tiny screw you have to line up PERFECTLY into the side of the cap to put it together. If thats off then it shorts out. Sorry I'm done.
Fast forward to finding a better deck plug.
I found a pretty good one and had it in service for awhile but when I tried to buy a spare the company quit selling them so my search coneniud . I final found a company called CNLinko in Florida. I bought some Male/female plugs and wired them up and so far they have worked great ! My mistake though, Was not realizing they made a flush deck plug connector. So I have just rebuilt my deck plug connector again and I'm very happy with it.
If anyone needs any information let me know.
Thanks

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Here's some interesting test data
Watertight Connector Test - Practical Sailor

 

[JBP-PA]

CNLinko looks very promising, thank you. I share your love of the Sea Dog connectors, especially the robust and corrosion resistant screws. One of my spring projects is to replace one of mine.
What is your opinion of the CNLinko twist lock vs the push button lock. I fear the push button might come loose too easily with sheets whipping against it, but the metal base is more appealing. Both have plastic connector bodies though.

 

[Rltgold]

Project_Mayhem, Thanks for the link to the study, I looked it over briefly and need to sit down and really look at it. I was amazed that they actually liked the SeaCrap connector. Although they were only testing it's waterproof nature.

JBP-PA Anyone using a SeaCrap connector better have a microscope and a tiny flat head screwdriver ! Oh ,plus, do everything over some sort of large dish because you will loose a few screws in the process.
In 3 years I found the CNLinko click connectors worked very well. Never had an issue with anything disconnecting them. Like I think I mentioned before , I was only upgrading mine because I wanted to change to the flush deck connector instead of a long floppy cord.
I thing I did read in the study was to use Green Grease on the connectors . That would help for sure.
One added note. CNLinko has great customer service . Rodger is very helpful.

 

[Rltgold]

I forgot to mention that even though the CNLinko plug connectors say they are waterproof I have been wrapping them in layier of heat shrink tubing in the end for added waterproofing. Downside is , it makes the cable stiffer.

 

[Rltgold]

Finally stopped raining so I could uncover the boat and take a photo of the new flush mounted CNLinko deck plug. Super happy with how clean and simple it is. I had to fabricate the white gelcoat riser to cover the hole and old holes from the original plug.
I'm waiting on the female clip connector so I can change out the plug on the mast.

 

[Rltgold]

Question ?
In regard to the mast wiring harness coming out the bottom of the mast. I normally hardwire it directly into the connector. Now I'm considering placing quick disconnect terminals on the wires themselves before the main connector so in the future if I need to replace the connector I can just disconnect the plug? Overkill?

 

[Rltgold]

I thought this might help somebody. It's a wiring diagram that includes the mast lights to where the wires come out the bottom of the mast and to the connector.Then from the deck connector through the cabin top to the inside wiring. Everything is color coded. Wiring color changes when it go's to the inside roof of the cabin.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Question ?
In regard to the mast wiring harness coming out the bottom of the mast. I normally hardwire it directly into the connector. Now I'm considering placing quick disconnect terminals on the wires themselves before the main connector so in the future if I need to replace the connector I can just disconnect the plug? Overkill?

More connectors=more failure points

 

[Rltgold]

Yep your right ! Thanks