Routing GPS/FF wire

[Sleeto]

I need to route my GPS/Fishfinder antenna wire from my console to the top of my T Top. I want to go inside the aluminum tubing. But, the plug fitting on the end of the wire is so wide that I will need to drill a 1" hole. I would like to try to avoid that.

Is there any way to disconnect the plug and then reattach?

[FELLOW-SHIP]

I would first check with the manufacturer of your GPS before I did anything. I do remember someone once told me Never shorten the length of the GPS cord. Had to do with the accuracy of the signal would get messed up if you did.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[Mark]

is there no connection point between your t-top and the side of the console? this is a common place to access the inside of the tubing and the 1" hole never shows.

[Scott]

I agree with what FellowShip and Mark have said. And to add If you look in some manuals it tells you not to alter the cable length. Same thing FellowShip said about messing up the signal strength.

The T-Top I have allows for the concealment of all the wires …All wires (radar, antennas anchor light deck lights etc etc ) go through the hard top into the radio box, radio box into tower legs and legs into the console. The person who did this work …did an amazing job [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] !!!….. A large connector will “snake” through ..just takes a little time to finesse it through the pipework. I have seen some tops however that were not wired as nice or the installer didn’t take the time to route the wires the right way.

[Ed]

Blizzard-

Dont cut the cable like others have suggested.


I had a similiar problem...run the wire up through the leg of the t-top and then instead of drilling a hole in the leg next to the radio box, run the wires up through the top of the leg (near the canvas) and then down into the top of the radio box. They sell a little doo-hickey cable clamp thing that allows you to pass the wire through the radio box and seal out any water, etc.

Good luck.
Ed

[Sleeto]

Thanks everyone.

I guess I will drill a 1" hole and run the wire thru the tubing with the plug on it.

[Scott]

Paul ....Make sure (in the manual ) that the connector can't be disassembled to allow for easier "snaking"
I know one of my antennas can do that



And So can a Furuno GPS that I have .... Breaks down in a similar manner

Anyone know how to print a page from a PDF file to the message board [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[Capt Chuck]

Blizzard

Helpful hint

Start at the top of the T-Top tubing. Tie a 1/2 oz. egg sinker on one end of some rigging line and drop it down the tubing. Then take a piece of stiff wire like a coat hanger with a "hook bend" at the end. Stick it in the hole into the tubing and snag the line and pull it thru. Next tie the line to the end of your GPS/Transducer cable end. Using electrical tape, tape it securely around the end and the line forming a point. Sometimes a little silicon grease on the taped end allows it to be pulled thru the tubing easier!

BE SURE to pull an extra piece of line up thru with the cable to be used next time.

Are you totaly confused now

[Scott]

Helpful hint

Are you totaly confused now

Another method ... SUCTION [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Light mono/string and a piece of paper or cloth tied to one end .... put the paper tied to the mono in the top hole (leaving slack in the line, paper or cloth piece not to big as to get hung up in the pipe and make sure the other end is secure ) then SUCK [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] on the other end where the mono/string/wire is to exit the pipework ... Make sure there are no places in the pipe to allow air in other than the entry hole and the exit hole




Oh yeah ....Dont forget the SHOP VAC ....

[RS]

If your gps antenna uses a standard BNC connector you can just cut off the old one and solder on a new one. Cost is about $3.