I bought a Simrad IS12 wind system to install. Not knowing entirely what to expect, I have received my package but am unsure about how it will be put together. The system came with 30 meter of cable to connect the transducer at the top of the mast to the instrument. I really only need roughly 50' but I assumed that the cable that was provided would include a plug for the base of the mast so it can be disconnected when the mast is down. That doesn't seem to be the case. Do I have to take the cable to somebody who can connect plugs where the break needs to be done? If so, where do I get the plugs? There are optional cables that can be bought. They sell a 10 m cable (33') which would be close to the right length for my 33' mast (maybe just a tad short allowing for fitting around the mast head). They also sell a 5 m cable which is about the right length from the base of the mast to the instrument. I haven't been able to get specific information about the cables and I think the type of plugs are important. The 30 m cable has female plugs at both ends to fit the transducer and the instrument. If I used the 10m and the 5 meter cable, one would need 2 female plugs and one would need a female at one end and a male at the other end. I don't know if this is the case and I haven't been able to find out before purchasing (sometimes buying on-line doesn't help in getting specific info). Is anybody familiar with this system?
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Wind instrument cable
Scott, There is no problem cutting the cable. You can use a barrier strip or some water proof plug / socket to join them back together. I have 6 conductors on mine but may be different on yours. Just match them by color. I have a 50 feet keel stepped mast. The cable comes out from the bottom of the mast to a junction box in turn connected to the display at the balkhead. The only cable you shouldn't cut is depth sounder cable. The head has matching capacitor inside to match the inductance due to cable length.
Scott, There is no problem cutting the cable. You can use a barrier strip or some water proof plug / socket to join them back together. I have 6 conductors on mine but may be different on yours. Just match them by color. I have a 50 feet keel stepped mast. The cable comes out from the bottom of the mast to a junction box in turn connected to the display at the balkhead. The only cable you shouldn't cut is depth sounder cable. The head has matching capacitor inside to match the inductance due to cable length.
Junction box in cabin
I think seadaddler got inside my boat somehow. His wiring connections look almost identical to mine. I had to do the same thing. It only takes a couple of minutes to disconnect everything if you have to pull the mast for any reason. As long as the connections are solid, there should be no problems.
I think seadaddler got inside my boat somehow. His wiring connections look almost identical to mine. I had to do the same thing. It only takes a couple of minutes to disconnect everything if you have to pull the mast for any reason. As long as the connections are solid, there should be no problems.
On mine
the cable has 5 wires. I fished the cable from through mast into the cabin headliner where the connection will be. I fished the other end of the cable from the instrument readout through the steering pedestal, then thru the headliner to the connection point. Cut off extra cable. stripped the 5 colored wires on each end and connected them using a bus bar. I don't have a deck plug so when the mast comes down, I have to disconnect the outside cable at the bus bar and pull it through the deck wire seal fitting. Have fun.
the cable has 5 wires. I fished the cable from through mast into the cabin headliner where the connection will be. I fished the other end of the cable from the instrument readout through the steering pedestal, then thru the headliner to the connection point. Cut off extra cable. stripped the 5 colored wires on each end and connected them using a bus bar. I don't have a deck plug so when the mast comes down, I have to disconnect the outside cable at the bus bar and pull it through the deck wire seal fitting. Have fun.
Cables and plugs
DigiKey.com has all the plugs and cables you would ever need. While it is hard to argue with success, I will note that seadaddler and Doug M. both have junction boxes that are inside the cabin. If you are trying to place the connection "above the deck step" inside the mast then you should consider a waterproof plug. I'd also forgo using only one plug for everything and just use one plug for each seperate system (wind, VHF, lights, lightning) as this makes changing things over time easier. Note that if the plug is bigger than the hole in the step for all the wires, you will have an issue getting the wires through when you unstep the mast. This is why I prefer to put the connection above the step. It also makes sealing the hole a more perment operation as the wires can be left in place with just the wire ends and plug hanging out. Also don't forget to leave yourself some slack cable so you can get to the plugs to disconnect them once you have the mast unstepped.
DigiKey.com has all the plugs and cables you would ever need. While it is hard to argue with success, I will note that seadaddler and Doug M. both have junction boxes that are inside the cabin. If you are trying to place the connection "above the deck step" inside the mast then you should consider a waterproof plug. I'd also forgo using only one plug for everything and just use one plug for each seperate system (wind, VHF, lights, lightning) as this makes changing things over time easier. Note that if the plug is bigger than the hole in the step for all the wires, you will have an issue getting the wires through when you unstep the mast. This is why I prefer to put the connection above the step. It also makes sealing the hole a more perment operation as the wires can be left in place with just the wire ends and plug hanging out. Also don't forget to leave yourself some slack cable so you can get to the plugs to disconnect them once you have the mast unstepped.
Thanks for replies ...
My package did include a small busbar for 6 wires to be connected and I suppose this is what was intended. There is a little plastic box that was also supplied to enclose the busbar, presumably inside the cabin. The original arrangement for our boat is seperate plugs for each connection inside the mast above the deck. Bill, thanks for the link to digikey, I will look for watertight connections to use inside the mast.
My package did include a small busbar for 6 wires to be connected and I suppose this is what was intended. There is a little plastic box that was also supplied to enclose the busbar, presumably inside the cabin. The original arrangement for our boat is seperate plugs for each connection inside the mast above the deck. Bill, thanks for the link to digikey, I will look for watertight connections to use inside the mast.
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