Through deck wires for mast lights
- Thread starter SailingLoto
- Start date
I assumed solder? I'm really not sure.... I had nothing to go off of originally and found the one pictured on ebay searching for "4 pin bulkhead connector".
I am freshwater and not overly concerned about salt and corrosion, but definently curious as to what you find out.
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Second that.I am freshwater and not overly concerned about salt and corrosion, but definently curious as to what you find out.
2 sets 4-pin Aviation Plug & Socket square Connector Bulkhead 4 Hole 12mm GX12 | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2 sets 4-pin Aviation Plug & Socket square Connector Bulkhead 4 Hole 12mm GX12 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!www.ebay.com
Those are solder cups. The wire is inserted, heated on the long side of the cup and apply solder to the bare wire.
Thanks, thought so, just never used them.
The problem, then, is that that they cannot comply with ABYC (solder cannot be the sole means of retention). This is, of course, a voluntary standard.
So put a cable clamp next to the socket. Now you have two means of retention. Besides, there are solder joints made during the Roman Empire that are still good today.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,771
The item in the image has a cable clamp for a 4 wire single line. That gives you 3 power leads and a common ground running up the mast. You would need to look inside the pictured connector to see if there are individual wire clamps in addition to the soldered end, for each wire to meet the ABYC requirement.
Not all boats operate meeting the ABYC requirements. Some boats are non conforming. Not something recommended, but it happens.
Not all boats operate meeting the ABYC requirements. Some boats are non conforming. Not something recommended, but it happens.
I’m not sure I’d run three separate loads into one common ground wire. Is this how it’s usually done? My mast is keel stepped so I do not have a deck penetration issue..
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,771
Most certainly. Especially if the loads are LED's and the wires are 14 gauge.
True, and there are solder conections that have failed when they overheated and pulled apart. A clamp will not meet the requirement. There are connectors that do.
I had nothing but problems with those type connectors. Corrosion. Poor connection. $6? Can’t expect much. I switched to trailer connectors and never had a problem since. Aesthetic, no. Reliable? Definitely.
Let the bashing begin.
Let the bashing begin.
Been told by more than one mechanic your best bet is to run wires through the deck or cabin top
( they can be well sealed) and use good inline connectors or plug. Can be easily accessed later on for replacement if necessary.
( they can be well sealed) and use good inline connectors or plug. Can be easily accessed later on for replacement if necessary.
My new go to connector for this type of thing is this one by Aqua Signal. I used a couple of these for solar panel connections on our trailerable Seaward 25. When the existing mast light connector (like the one shown in the first post or 2 in this thread) gets corroded and fails again, I'm going to replace that one with the Aqua Signal connector. They aren't cheap, though 
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www.defender.com
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Aqua Signal Watertight Cable Outlet and Plug Assembly - 80100-7
The Aqua Signal 80100-7 watertight 5-Pin Connector has an IP65 waterproof rating and can be safely mounted in either a vertical or horizontal position. Features: IP65 waterproof protection rating Vertical or horizontal installation of outlet / pl
I’m in the process of rerigging and requiring my mast while it’s off the boat and figuring out how to connect everything. Old connections were at the base of the mast but corroded and us damaged so I’m looking for alternatives. The mast is deck stepped and I’m planning on installing a swan neck cable gland that can hold all of the wires instead of individual cable glands and then connect everything below deck where they can stay out of the sun and weather.
You get what you pay for.... Under $6.00...hmmmm. There always a reason...
Me too! Use pleanty of waterproof grease. I was told it wouldn't work... but it did, for years, and they're easy to replace.