[C320-list] In-Mast Wiring Question

[Warren Updike]

I can't imagine you'd use a trailer connector for anything but the mast
lights (deck, steaming, anchor, etc.)  These wires in my #62 mast are rather
large.  Given that the load is not more than 2A, and the wire run is about
125 ft., a #10 wire will yield about a 5% voltage drop that is acceptable
for lighting.  

Instrument cabled use about 18awg wires in a shielded insulator. To my
thinking, that calls for a different kind of connector.

I believe the current wisdom is to not solder wires on a boat. Soldered
connections are brittle and subject to breaking. It's better to use a crimp
connector with heat shrink insulation. I've seen these at Home Depot.

Warren & Pattie Updike
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay

-----Original Message-----
From: Amirault Family - S&B [mailto:amiraults at sympatico.ca] 
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 6:06 PM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] In-Mast Wiring Question

Al:

Doug's problem is also mine.  There is no Pep Boys in Ottawa, but in the
past I have been known to visit Canadian Tire. My memory is that the trailer
connections they sell come with a multi-wire tail attached to the plug. Did
you also have this, and then you soldered/sealed the Catalina wires to these
tails?

This is a task needing addressing this spring, as in the fall the service
provider managed to separate some of the connectors from their wires during
the mast-down process.

Brian Amirault
797 waltzing Bear, too