[DG] [DG11] Melted SeaTalkng 5-way Connector

[HaveFun]

Hi - Shortly after turning on the navigation instruments (a97, EV-1, A-100, p70; all connected via SeaTalkng backbone) on the boat this evening, we suddenly had smoke coming from behind the electric panel and that dreaded smell of plastic melting. Luckily, we caught it just in time and were able to turn off the batteries before an open fire broke out. System had been working fine for more than three years.

Carefully examining the entire electrical system, the culprit was found quickly - an outer blue backbone terminal of a Raymarine SeaTalkng 5-way connector had melted. See attached images.

Any suggestion how this can happen, what the cause might be? Note that it was the backbone terminal, not any spur terminal, nor the terminal connecting the power cable. The blue backbone cable that went into the burned out terminal is barely damaged, so it seems the short is in the 5-way connector itself. Possible? Any explanation other than a faulty connector?

Anything else we should look at, other than replacing the 5-way Connector and (just to be sure) also the blue backbone cable that went into the melted terminal?

Thanks!