Greg wrote:

One other trick is to coat the connector with RTV, then slide
the heat shrink over it and apply the heat. The shrinking heatshrink pushes
out the excess RTV and makes a very water tight seal after it cures.
Good luck with it,

Any seal that relies on RTV will take more than luck. RTV will fail to
seal and water will wick into the connection and destroy it. It is as
predictable as sunrise.

There are many off the shelf connectors and sealing materials for that
application and nearly all of them are far superior to any of the
silicone adhesive sealants so often misused by the DIY'er.

Rick

solomio wrote:

Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors for the new spreader
light wiring that I'm having to do. Any suggestions for inexpensive
and somewhat waterproof 2-conductor connectors for about 14 ga wire?

I've used trailer wire connectors previously and they're certailny
cheap and available -

I have to rewire our mast (30 ft Al. Westerly Tiger) and also
completely redo the connection of the mast wiring into the boat.
About five wires and a VHF coax. All 'running' and the anchor
lights will now be on the mast.
A repair to our boat on behalf of the previous owner, following a
dismasting, by a presumably competent person, mounted two three
pin connector sockets flat on the fibreglass deck adjacent to the
bottom of the mast with wires through. Wires coming from the mast
plugged into those sockets.
Water got into the sockets and then seeped down into the wooden
deck pad inside the fibreglass deck under the mast step. Water
froze and mast step heaved and cracked deck. A mess!
I intend to avoid any connectors at all by running wires (once
per season) through well caulked hole/s in the deck in an area
where there is no wood. These wires would be terminated on a
terminal strip in the toilet/head compartment below.
Alternatively to bring wires up through the deck (through a well
caulked hole as above) and mount or strap
plugs/socket/connectors to the side of the mast above deck level.
Also to have spare connectors etc. to replace if corrosion
occurs. No 'connectors' as such up on the mast itself, wires
directly to each lamp socket.
Any suggestions welcomed. But if sockets what type? Terry.

Terry wrote:

solomio wrote:


Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors for the new spreader
light wiring that I'm having to do. Any suggestions for inexpensive
and somewhat waterproof 2-conductor connectors for about 14 ga wire?

I've used trailer wire connectors previously and they're certailny
cheap and available -



I have to rewire our mast (30 ft Al. Westerly Tiger) and also
completely redo the connection of the mast wiring into the boat.
About five wires and a VHF coax. All 'running' and the anchor
lights will now be on the mast.
A repair to our boat on behalf of the previous owner, following a
dismasting, by a presumably competent person, mounted two three
pin connector sockets flat on the fibreglass deck adjacent to the
bottom of the mast with wires through. Wires coming from the mast
plugged into those sockets.
Water got into the sockets and then seeped down into the wooden
deck pad inside the fibreglass deck under the mast step. Water
froze and mast step heaved and cracked deck. A mess!

An alternate that some Tanzers have used and seem to like: a "J" tube
coming through the deck near the mast (and protected by it). Wires can
be long enough to go to terminal strips. Some boats have no break in
the coax between the antenna and VHF -- the plug fits through the tube.
The tube can be heavily caulked, the wires have 3 less places corrosion
can form; Lots of benefits and few drawbacks or drips.

(I went a different route, but am thinking of installing a tube for this
spring.)

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Terry wrote:

solomio wrote:


Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors for the new spreader
light wiring that I'm having to do. Any suggestions for inexpensive
and somewhat waterproof 2-conductor connectors for about 14 ga wire?

I've used trailer wire connectors previously and they're certailny
cheap and available -



I have to rewire our mast (30 ft Al. Westerly Tiger) and also
completely redo the connection of the mast wiring into the boat.
About five wires and a VHF coax. All 'running' and the anchor
lights will now be on the mast.
A repair to our boat on behalf of the previous owner, following a
dismasting, by a presumably competent person, mounted two three
pin connector sockets flat on the fibreglass deck adjacent to the
bottom of the mast with wires through. Wires coming from the mast
plugged into those sockets.
Water got into the sockets and then seeped down into the wooden
deck pad inside the fibreglass deck under the mast step. Water
froze and mast step heaved and cracked deck. A mess!

An alternate that some Tanzers have used and seem to like: a "J" tube
coming through the deck near the mast (and protected by it). Wires can
be long enough to go to terminal strips. Some boats have no break in
the coax between the antenna and VHF -- the plug fits through the tube.
The tube can be heavily caulked, the wires have 3 less places corrosion
can form; Lots of benefits and few drawbacks or drips.

(I went a different route, but am thinking of installing a tube for this
spring.)

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

I recommend you purchase some good marine connectors. Their a little more
expensive but certainly much more reliable for something that is "up the
mast"..

Get the kind that have a shrink sleeve over the outside. You just crimp them
on using a good crimping tool. Then you heat shrink the sleeve down onto the
finished connection.

The real good connectors have a adhesive inside that seals the job.

The moto here is "don't go on the cheap" with anything up the mast.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

solomio wrote in message . ..
Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors for the new spreader
light wiring that I'm having to do. Any suggestions for inexpensive
and somewhat waterproof 2-conductor connectors for about 14 ga wire?

I've used trailer wire connectors previously and they're certailny
cheap and available -

Look at "yachtbits.co.uk", they have some aterproof connectors that
are "Lloys' approved". I've used them for my NASA masthead windmeter
and they've given me very good results.
john

solomio,
I have found that some of the "automotive" inline connectors work as well as
the "marine" grade ones do. What sort of connnectors are you seeking? Ones
which can easily be disconnected occasionaly, or permanent connection? If
permanent, I suggest soldering the butt connectors, then heat shrink. I
have also used heat shrink on connectors which are only disconnected once or
twice a year. One other trick is to coat the connector with RTV, then slide
the heat shrink over it and apply the heat. The shrinking heatshrink pushes
out the excess RTV and makes a very water tight seal after it cures.
Good luck with it,
Greg Luckett

"solomio" wrote in message
...
Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors for the new spreader
light wiring that I'm having to do. Any suggestions for inexpensive
and somewhat waterproof 2-conductor connectors for about 14 ga wire?

I've used trailer wire connectors previously and they're certailny
cheap and available -





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solomio wrote:

Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors for the new spreader
light wiring that I'm having to do. Any suggestions for inexpensive
and somewhat waterproof 2-conductor connectors for about 14 ga wire?

I've used trailer wire connectors previously and they're certailny
cheap and available -

I have to rewire our mast (30 ft Al. Westerly Tiger) and also
completely redo the connection of the mast wiring into the boat.
About five wires and a VHF coax. All 'running' and the anchor
lights will now be on the mast.
A repair to our boat on behalf of the previous owner, following a
dismasting, by a presumably competent person, mounted two three
pin connector sockets flat on the fibreglass deck adjacent to the
bottom of the mast with wires through. Wires coming from the mast
plugged into those sockets.
Water got into the sockets and then seeped down into the wooden
deck pad inside the fibreglass deck under the mast step. Water
froze and mast step heaved and cracked deck. A mess!
I intend to avoid any connectors at all by running wires (once
per season) through well caulked hole/s in the deck in an area
where there is no wood. These wires would be terminated on a
terminal strip in the toilet/head compartment below.
Alternatively to bring wires up through the deck (through a well
caulked hole as above) and mount or strap
plugs/socket/connectors to the side of the mast above deck level.
Also to have spare connectors etc. to replace if corrosion
occurs. No 'connectors' as such up on the mast itself, wires
directly to each lamp socket.
Any suggestions welcomed. But if sockets what type? Terry.

solomio wrote in message . ..
Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors for the new spreader
light wiring that I'm having to do. Any suggestions for inexpensive
and somewhat waterproof 2-conductor connectors for about 14 ga wire?

I've used trailer wire connectors previously and they're certailny
cheap and available -

Look at "yachtbits.co.uk", they have some aterproof connectors that
are "Lloys' approved". I've used them for my NASA masthead windmeter
and they've given me very good results.
john