SmallCraftAdvisor.com

Some folks were interested in ways to do this. I used the single cable version for my solar panel, and I might replace it with the multi-cable version for upcoming mods. Other companies, notably Blue Sea make them as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Scanstrut-Micro- ... 9LTI&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Scanstrut-Multi- ... FGLS&psc=1

Frank,

Scanstrut & Blue Sea both make very high quality products for passing cables through the deck.

When I installed my solar panel, I wanted to be able to plug / unplug it easily, so I went with this style:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WCMX24L?re ... CT94MB081V

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TFSS78H?_e ... QQYM0&th=1

It has worked well with the solar panel.

Dan

Here's the one I mentioned in the PSHH, but Ken didn't say where he got the through-hull fixture. I've seen them before though. The inline connectors look like the ones I got from Renogy.

Tim,

I like that clamshell connector cover!

Dan

Riggerdood wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 31, 2022 12:34 pm

Here's the one I mentioned in the PSHH, but Ken didn't say where he got the through-hull fixture. I've seen them before though. The inline connectors look like the ones I got from Renogy.


318466632_10167173335185503_8559737481467517564_n.jpg

The more I think about it the more I think I’m gonna need something more like that in order to have that RG8 connection going through the hull for the antenna. Tim, you may have already ‘splained it at some point, but could you remind me how you did that while maintaining the coax throughout? I guess one way would be to bring the cable through a waterproof fitting then just put a connector on it and use some sort of waterproof barrel connector to connect to the cable that goes up the mast? Somehow that just sounds ugly, doesn’t it?

DBthal wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 31, 2022 1:01 pm

I like that clamshell connector cover!

I wish I could remember who makes it Dan. I know I've seen it before. I'll ask Ken. I don't believe it's a Renogy item. I like how it allows for drip loops.

fnelowet wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 31, 2022 4:59 pm

The more I think about it the more I think I’m gonna need something more like that in order to have that RG8 connection going through the hull for the antenna. Tim, you may have already ‘splained it at some point, but could you remind me how you did that while maintaining the coax throughout? I guess one way would be to bring the cable through a waterproof fitting then just put a connector on it and use some sort of waterproof barrel connector to connect to the cable that goes up the mast? Somehow that just sounds ugly, doesn’t it?

Yes, it does sound ugly Frank, and it is, because that's exactly the way I kinda had to do it. On Rum Line, the coax and light wiring come out of the cabin pedestal and up the compression post. There is a hole in the coach roof that they pass through, which has one of these "clamshell" type covers below, and one on deck, with sealant squished liberally into both:


Because of the way some PO had unceremoniously lopped off the coax, I had to put a barrel connector on the compression post, and run new coax from there, up through the coach roof, and up the mast. On the outside, next to the mast step, I have connectors for the wires, for when the mast is down and in the trailering supports. I used this for the wiring connector. It's an auto parts store item, and I got two, one pair of which I cut the wires off of, and use as a weather cover for when the mast is down:


And for the coax, this:

(Apparently there is an image size/number limit?)

And this:


I also got extras of these for weather covers. They came from Defender.

Here's what they look like, disconnected with the weather covers on. No, not elegant, but quite functional. Ilse gave me a couple of tennis raquet handle wraps to cover the wires with, hence the "Wilson" ;~P

Thanks so much, Tim! I really appreciate all the pix! Would love to know where to find those clam covers.

Here’s another possibility: https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?n ... id=7004238