Cables and connectors from GPS and sonar with issues - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Carlos Gonzalez · 03-12-2012, 09:30 PM

Hello guys,

I am on Ensenada Mexico, I am working on a company who makes sonars, gps, radio, etc etc. In I am Mechanical Engineer and I taking care of XDCR's, cables and connectors.

I would like you to share what are the more frecuent issues with the cables, connectors and transducers. As engineer i would like to learn what to consider at the time to design a new product.

I also like the kayak fishing, at this point i don't have a kayak but i am working on it.

Thanks for sharing!!

GregAndrew · 03-13-2012, 07:31 PM

Designing connectors that are intended to be coupled and uncoupled on a frequent basis would be a good start. That means making the terminals durable, and the connecting part easy to attach/unattach.

Dealing with water and salt would be the next most important to me. Since we are only inches above the waterline, virtually everything gets wet on a regular basis. Most units are designed for boats and are only water resistant, not really waterproof. Not only does salt corrode any exposed metal, it makes many twist-lock connections very difficult to operate.

Specifically for kayaks, the connection from the wire to the connectors not only need to be strong, they also need to not be bulky. Since we are removing and reattaching them all the time, they must be able to handle it. We also do not attach to dashboards, and frequently need to make sharp turns of the wire close to the back of the head units.

Just a few thoughts, hope it helps.

RK · 03-13-2012, 08:21 PM

Greg nailed it...........

Units with connections designed for our environment or at least more durable.

Or the same units with a five year WM extended warranty

dmrides · 03-14-2012, 07:45 AM

X3...what Greg said. Also, the transducer cable does not need to be 30 feet long. It would be cool to have a screen cover that rotated up to then act as a sunshade.

RedSledTeam · 03-14-2012, 07:53 AM

Ok, you asked... How about thinking about designing wireless tranducers, inductive power supply and voice commands? Totally eliminate the wire issue. Just thinking out loud. Any more ideas and I may have to ask you about ITAR restrictions.

bus kid · 03-14-2012, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedSledTeam

Any more ideas and I may have to ask you about ITAR restrictions.

ROTFLMFAO

Carlos Gonzalez · 03-14-2012, 01:42 PM

guys thank you very much for your responses.

Currently I am working on getting different technologies for our contacts, so cable will be improve in order to avoid corrosion but one think that i would recommend you is to clean your contacts from unit and transducers or power cable when you removed from the kayak, as you mentioned salt + voltage will cause corrosion, this helped me to avoid corrosion on my unit.

DMRIDES I like the idea about the sun cover, if you don't mind I would share your idea with the team.

As you saw mi name is carlos Gonzalez and I am Mechanical design engineer from Lowrance, I am not an expert on all this stuff but i would like to help you if you have questions regarding Connectors, cables and XDCR's, this also will help me to understand the problems we have on the field.

Cheers!

PS, be patience with my bad english.

RK · 03-14-2012, 01:49 PM

Awesome that your on here to understand the issues regarding our electronics on the kayaks this is a great step in the right direction...
Welcome Carlos

GregAndrew · 03-14-2012, 02:35 PM

I have the HDS 5 by Lowrance, and have had a few minor issues dealing with salt build-up. Both the wire connectors and the cradle mounting screws can become difficult to unscrew after a long day of repeated splashing. I would suggest some sort of O-ring on the base of the connecting ports on the head unit. The O-ring would stay at the end of the coupler and below the attaching threads (so these threads stay clean). A rubber washer on the cradle screws (between the screw and the cradle) would still probably hold the unit firm enough, but also allow easier reversing.

dmrides · 03-14-2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carlos Gonzalez

DMRIDES I like the idea about the sun cover, if you don't mind I would share your idea with the team.

No problem, share away. Now if it's not too much to ask, can I get a lifetime supply if those fine Lowrance products? Haha, just kidding. But seriously...

03-12-2012, 09:30 PM	#1
Carlos Gonzalez Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ensenada, Mexico Posts: 119	Cables and connectors from GPS and sonar with issues Hello guys, I am on Ensenada Mexico, I am working on a company who makes sonars, gps, radio, etc etc. In I am Mechanical Engineer and I taking care of XDCR's, cables and connectors. I would like you to share what are the more frecuent issues with the cables, connectors and transducers. As engineer i would like to learn what to consider at the time to design a new product. I also like the kayak fishing, at this point i don't have a kayak but i am working on it. Thanks for sharing!!

03-14-2012, 01:42 PM	#7
Carlos Gonzalez Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ensenada, Mexico Posts: 119	guys thank you very much for your responses. Currently I am working on getting different technologies for our contacts, so cable will be improve in order to avoid corrosion but one think that i would recommend you is to clean your contacts from unit and transducers or power cable when you removed from the kayak, as you mentioned salt + voltage will cause corrosion, this helped me to avoid corrosion on my unit. DMRIDES I like the idea about the sun cover, if you don't mind I would share your idea with the team. As you saw mi name is carlos Gonzalez and I am Mechanical design engineer from Lowrance, I am not an expert on all this stuff but i would like to help you if you have questions regarding Connectors, cables and XDCR's, this also will help me to understand the problems we have on the field. Cheers! PS, be patience with my bad english. __________________ Carlos Gonzalez

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03-13-2012, 07:31 PM	#2
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Designing connectors that are intended to be coupled and uncoupled on a frequent basis would be a good start. That means making the terminals durable, and the connecting part easy to attach/unattach. Dealing with water and salt would be the next most important to me. Since we are only inches above the waterline, virtually everything gets wet on a regular basis. Most units are designed for boats and are only water resistant, not really waterproof. Not only does salt corrode any exposed metal, it makes many twist-lock connections very difficult to operate. Specifically for kayaks, the connection from the wire to the connectors not only need to be strong, they also need to not be bulky. Since we are removing and reattaching them all the time, they must be able to handle it. We also do not attach to dashboards, and frequently need to make sharp turns of the wire close to the back of the head units. Just a few thoughts, hope it helps.

03-13-2012, 08:21 PM	#3
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	Greg nailed it........... Units with connections designed for our environment or at least more durable. Or the same units with a five year WM extended warranty

03-14-2012, 07:45 AM	#4
dmrides Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Point Loma Posts: 584	X3...what Greg said. Also, the transducer cable does not need to be 30 feet long. It would be cool to have a screen cover that rotated up to then act as a sunshade.

03-14-2012, 07:53 AM	#5
RedSledTeam Daddeo Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: OC Posts: 660	Ok, you asked... How about thinking about designing wireless tranducers, inductive power supply and voice commands? Totally eliminate the wire issue. Just thinking out loud. Any more ideas and I may have to ask you about ITAR restrictions.

03-14-2012, 01:49 PM	#8
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	Awesome that your on here to understand the issues regarding our electronics on the kayaks this is a great step in the right direction... Welcome Carlos

03-14-2012, 02:35 PM	#9
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	I have the HDS 5 by Lowrance, and have had a few minor issues dealing with salt build-up. Both the wire connectors and the cradle mounting screws can become difficult to unscrew after a long day of repeated splashing. I would suggest some sort of O-ring on the base of the connecting ports on the head unit. The O-ring would stay at the end of the coupler and below the attaching threads (so these threads stay clean). A rubber washer on the cradle screws (between the screw and the cradle) would still probably hold the unit firm enough, but also allow easier reversing.