Chasing cables for binnacle pod mounted or hard top mounted electronics

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Chasing cables for binnacle pod mounted or hard top mounted electronics

Tech Tip: NOTE: Should cable chasing be difficult or present challenges, then it is recommended that a Certified Raymarine Installer be contacted ... at least to assist with the chasing of cables. Their experience coupled with the tools of the trade may prove invaluable to those having far less experience with such installation challenges.

Tech Tip: When chasing cables, it is recommended that cables featuring plugs be chased before chasing cables featuring bare leads. Cables featuring the larger plugs should be chased before chasing cables featuring the smaller plugs. Cables featuring bare leads should be chased last. When chasing a cable featuring bare leads on one end and a plug on the other end, then end of the cable featuring the bare leads should be chased rather than the plug end of the cable. You may also want to consider removing previously installed cables from binnacle tubing before installing new equipment to better facilitate chasing cable. Cable pulling lubricants can also be helpful in when chasing cables. Cable-pulling lubricants lower friction and pulling tension during a cabling installation, and help cable run smoothly over the surface of the conduit, preventing potential damage.

To prevent possible damage to the marine electronics, ensure maximum system performance, and to ensure maximum system reliability, it is recommended that Raymarine's communications cable not be cut unless its is absolutely necessary to do so. However, should it be necessary to remove a communication's cable's plug to permit the cable to be chased, then it is recommended that the plug from the end of the cable which will terminate below decks be removed. Doing so will ensure that the portion of the communications cable which is above decks will be protected from the marine environment. NMEA 0183 and SeaTalk (not SeaTalkng or SeaTalkhs) cables may be joined using marine grade junction boxes featuring terminal strips or soldered splices which have in turn been protected with shrink tubing. All leads and the cables shield be reconnected when using a junction box or splice to rejoin a cable. Should it be necessary to cut the plug from a SeaTalkng cable, then sufficient length of cable should remain connected to the plug to permit a cable splice to be made. SeaTalkng cables may be rejoined using a NMEA 2000 junction box or soldered splices which have in turn been protected with shrink tubing. Should it be necessary to remove a plug from a SeaTalkhs / RayNet / Ethernet cables, then would be recommended that a sufficient length of cable should remain connected to the plug to permit a cable splice to be made. The cable ends may then be rejoined using a marine grade Ethernet Cable Junction Box. Alternatively, shielded RJ45 (M) connector may be crimped onto the SeaTalkhs / RayNet / Ethernet cable.

NOTE: Fishfinder cables must never be cut, spliced, or modified. Please click here to view a FAQ addressing this subject.


RAYFAQ#