I'm fitting navigation/anchor lights on my Compac 16. There used to be watertight through-deck connections (plugs) for this. I can't find any three- or four-pin male/female connectors. Anybody know of a source other than used boat junk stores? My local used guy as a female but not a male to go with it. The staff at the local West Marine are all recruited from Alvin's Island and Rod Jon and the concept of "stepping a mast" prompts responses involving climbing. I once asked them where the shaft brushes were and they told me to look in the paints isle.
Watertight through-deck connection
- Thread starter Urban Hermit
- Start date
Never mind -- found one. Binnacle something or other, but they are absolute pirates with shipping rates: $19+ to ship a device smaller than a refrigerator light bulb.
I might. The supplier is in Canada (explains the outrageous shipping charge) and has sent a notice of delayed delivery. A bit ominous.
Whoever put the wiring in my Mac used a 4 pin trailer plug to get through the deck near the mast. They must have gone down to the local auto parts shop and found one that you could add a threaded cap to it for when the mast was down to protect the receptacle from rain.
I have had these on my CATALINA 22 for about 4 years now and there great.
CNLinko
Here are the plugs , 4pin
CNLINKO 4 Pin Power Connector Cable to Cable, Plug w/ Receptacles Waterproof M20 | eBay
Here is the deck plug
ONce I have the plugs I do a series of heat shrenk tubes starting over the plug and going down the wires.
CNLinko
Here are the plugs , 4pin
CNLINKO 4 Pin Power Connector Cable to Cable, Plug w/ Receptacles Waterproof M20 | eBay
Here is the deck plug
4 Pin Power Signal Connector Panel Mount Receptacles Female Socket Waterproof | eBay
● Socket and internal components zinc alloy material, with a complete electromagnetic and radio frequency interference protection. ● PBT material shell, stable electrical performance, high strength and resistance to pressure, high temperature resistance, anti-explosion, anti-corrosive.
www.ebay.com
ONce I have the plugs I do a series of heat shrenk tubes starting over the plug and going down the wires.
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Lloyd, that's what I did coming out of the mast (flat four, using three); but I don't want to pass wires through the coach roof without passing through a watertight connection. If I get what I ordered I can take the trailer plug off the mast wires. Got another delivery revision but it's a day earlier. Sounds like it's actually on the way.
The Sea-dog brand is pretty ubiquitous for deck connectors but i find they corrode fast.
shop.hamiltonmarine.com
Seadog 4262341 Thermo-plastic Connector 5 Amp https://a.co/d/6hY9X7Y
I've got one of these that I'm going to try when i get the time.
4 Pin Connector, Waterproof Industrial Solder Connector, Aviation Wire Connector for Automotive, Power, Marine, and Other Indoor/Outdoor Electrical Connection(Plastic,Plug Socket,2PCS) Amazon.com
Departments - SEA DOG CONNECTOR POLARIZED OUTLET DECK CHROMED BRASS 4 PIN 3 AMP
Sea Dog Connector. The Polarized Electrical Outlet is designed for use as a 4-conductor deck cable outlet. Pins are sized differently, ensuring only one way to connect the plug, avoiding reverse polarity issues. Includes a rubber gasket and water resistant cap. Constructed of chrome plated...
Seadog 4262341 Thermo-plastic Connector 5 Amp https://a.co/d/6hY9X7Y
I've got one of these that I'm going to try when i get the time.
4 Pin Connector, Waterproof Industrial Solder Connector, Aviation Wire Connector for Automotive, Power, Marine, and Other Indoor/Outdoor Electrical Connection(Plastic,Plug Socket,2PCS) Amazon.com
JBP, I've owned my boat for a little over 7 years now. It came with a SeaDog 4 pin deck connector. It was total crap. I thought by being the stainless steel one it would be better but it was crap as well. I personally would never use one again. I've had great success with the CNLinko products. They do take a bit of DYI to set up but the one I have now has been on my boat for over 4 years now. Best of luck to you.
Yep. The Allaounion ones I've got look similar to the CNLinko except with screw lock instead of lever lock.
JBP, Looks like it's the same.
For mine I use 3 sizes of shrenk tubing. 1st one is the size of the wires. 2nd is the size of the back screw cap on the connector. 3rd is the size of the entire connector body so by the time all 3 are srunk down it's very waterproof. When buying to shrenk tubing you have to make your you get the right rate of shrinking,
For mine I use 3 sizes of shrenk tubing. 1st one is the size of the wires. 2nd is the size of the back screw cap on the connector. 3rd is the size of the entire connector body so by the time all 3 are srunk down it's very waterproof. When buying to shrenk tubing you have to make your you get the right rate of shrinking,
I installed the Seadog 4262341 Thermo-plastic Connector and was happy with it. There's a practical sailor article that tests a bunch of deck connectors like this
I went to Pensacola's West Marine asking for just that. Two middle-aged clerks didn't know what I was talking about and seemed not to get the concept of disconnecting wires to step a mask. The whole front half of the store is filled with clothes a tasteless tourist wouldn't wear to Hawaii. I don't think there's a boater on staff. They're all rejects from Alvin's Island and Ron Jon. That trip is consistent with the last four trips there I've made in the last 15 years.
See this thread from 2019 and from 2020 for a few options.
Including my contribution (I'm still happy with the trailer-plug + Scanstrut cable clam for that usage, and with the other Scanstruts I installed for solar wiring, etc.)
Including my contribution (I'm still happy with the trailer-plug + Scanstrut cable clam for that usage, and with the other Scanstruts I installed for solar wiring, etc.)
Just back from a few days out of town; what I ordered actually came, and I'm happy with it. Chrome over bronze, heavy, threaded connection, flange and basket for watertightness. I may still overdrill, put in a plug of solid glass, then drill through that for the wires.