Re-cable mast transducer

[TOOTSIE III]

My yard quoted me $2K to rewire my ST60 transducer. Is there a cheaper and doable way this can be done? Are there any restriction to pulling the original cable with chaser from the top of the mast then, pulling the new cable back through the mast?

This is my first attempt at  problem solving, I don't if I am doing this correctly.
My yard quoted me $2000.00 to rewire ST60 wind instrument.
They intend to unstep the mast, and rewire on the ground.
My question, is there a simpler and cheaper way to restring the instrument? And what do I need to look out for besides going up the mast.

[SteveLyle]

Tootsie -
 
Can you help me understand what 'rewire' means - it sounds like you have an ST60 transducer at the masthead, and cable running from there to the base of the mast, and you want/need to replace the cable?  If that's the case, may I ask why?

If that's the scenario, I don't see any way to do it with the mast up.  The problem is that you need to remove the masthead fitting to get to the cable conduit inside the mast, and this fitting cannot be removed with the mast up (the fore and back stays are attached to it, in addition to the halyards).

If you're looking to save some bucks, just have the yard unstep the mast and leave it on sawhorses, then remove the fitting and fish the cable yourself.  If you don't have ball-bearing halyard sheaves, this would be the perfect time to add them, that's another task that requires the mast to be down.

Regards,
Steve

[Jkar]

Tootsie,

I would tell your yard, thanks no thanks, have them pull the mast for you as was previously suggested, if you don't have means to pull it otherwise (local club) it should be in the neighborhood of $200 to pull and put back.  Next fish the cable yourself if that is truly what is wrong, a new cable should be around $100 as well.  Then you are done.  If it ends up being the masthead, that will run you $350.  Don't know what the display is, but if you want to spend $1200, look at the Tacktick Micronet wireless stuff.  Heck for $2k you could make your entire boat wireless.  I have seen this system and it is hot.

[lazybones]

I don't want to sound to harsh and I love toys as much as anyone else but, I really question whether you need to put so much effort and expense into finding out what the wind is doing. There are much simpler methods.

[TOOTSIE III]

Thanks to all the respondents to my inquiry.
The transducer cable needed to be replaced due transient lightning damage.The need for dropping the mast caused me to pause and determine I didn't need the wind instrument after all, but it came with the tri instrument package from Raymarine.
If the must drop the mast situation arises, I will then re-cable the mast.
Thanks to all of you.
p.s. no cable instruments is the way to go;

This is my first attempt at  problem solving, I don't if I am doing this correctly.
My yard quoted me $2000.00 to rewire ST60 wind instrument.
They intend to unstep the mast, and rewire on the ground.
My question, is there a simpler and cheaper way to restring the instrument? And what do I need to look out for besides going up the mast.

[cholder]

I absolutely agree with Ron. This job takes no more than two hours and can be done by anyone who can get or can be hoisted to the mast head.  

I installed an ST50 including installing the mounting block and pulling in the wires in that time.

By the way, you can disconnect the vane and impellor without removing the whole system.  Are you sure the cable is at fault?

[agbenoit]

Hi Ron,

I just searched my Tech Notes CD and couldn't find an article on re-cabling the mast.  Is it in the Tech Notes?  What year?

Thanks,

Tony

[agbenoit]

Ron (or anyone):

Are the existing wires in the conduit bundled or loose?

Thanks