Installing a remote command mike

Ladyhawke2 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008

I have an ICOM 402 VHF located in the salon of my Mirage 32, and want to run a command mike back to the cockpit. I have the mike and the cable and want to run it to the the wheel. ...and herein lies the problem. The binnacle tube also has my engine control cables, and there definately isn't enough room to run the cable end plug up through the hole. If I remove the plug, the cable would run through no problem, but I am really reluctant to cut the cable (probably shielded and all). Another option would be to remove the plug and attach a new one after I run the cable. The plug on each end of the cable is encased in molded plastic, so it would be a very cumbersome task to remove it and reinstall. Long winded question...but has anyone run into this problem...have you cut the cable and rejoined it...with what result..? Any idea where I might be able to buy just the cable end plug (8 pin)..? Is there another way to do this...?

Duke 7184 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008

There is another optuion. Cutting the plug off of one end leaving enough wire (pigtail) attached to the plug to allow re-attachment of the wires. In doing this I would consider: 1. which end to cut 2. How long of a pigtail will be needed to allow the easiest re-atachment of the wires.
The easiest re-attachment would probably be staggered solder splices with heat shrink tubing over each splice. Plus an overall covering by HS tubing.

Duke

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008

I would cut off the plug, leaving about two-to-three feet of cable. Strip about a foot of the cover from both pieces and then use heat shrink crimp connectors to re-splice the wires, staggering the splices, and then cover the with a single piece of adhesive lined heat shrink tubing.

Staggering the splices will make the cable far less bulky. The outer heat shrink covering will help protect the splices from damage, like the outer jacket would do for the wires in the rest of the cable.

I don't recommend soldering wires on a boat. Use a good crimper—like an Ancor ratcheting crimper and a high-quality adhesive lined heat shrink tubing and crimp fittings.