Transducer cable splice

[Jignjim]

Has any one ever had any luck splicing a transducer cable back together. Ran into a stump Saturday and it cut my cable into. I have spliced it back together but haven't had a chance to go back fishing since the repair. I used a telephone co. splice device (commonly called a butterbean) that is used on extremely small wires. I don't know much about this type of cable, so any advice would be appreciated. By the way, I did catch 25 gooduns on the Tenn-Tom Saturday.

[slimeyslab]

I cut one a while back when it got pinched in my tm mount. I spliced it back and never had any trouble out of it. It was howeverabove the water line. Post this question on the electronics board and there are several(CanPole)that can help.

[CatFan]

You need to splice both the wire(s) and the metal shield around the inner insulating layer. If the transducer has a temperature sensor, there will be at least two standard wires and the shield to splice. IIRC, Garmin units have two insulated wires, a bare copper wire and the shield. Can't recall about Lowrance, and have never spliced a Humminbird.

Whatever the configuration, each wire needs to be spliced individually, and insulated from contacting the other wires. I like to solder them to get the best possible connection. Cover each individual wire with heat shrink tubing, then the whole splcie with heat shrink and liquid electrical tape.

[Wannabe...]

The butterbean will work and work well, but what about water proofing and shielding it? Dunno about that part. I've spliced several, most with a soldering iron then individually water proofed each connection with liquid tape and re-shielded it with good results. Matter of fact, my 797si is spliced at the moment and has held up over the last year with no issues.

Wannabe...

[Barnacle Bill]

I can see where a butterbean (we call them beanies) will work but Catfan's method is much better. That shield is just as important as the rest of the wires.

[Jignjim]

After reading what everyone has said, I probably need to relick my calf. I wont know whether the splice will be above or below the water line until I put the boat back in the water. Secondly, I did not splice or re-attach the shield but I will take care of that error. And while I have it torn apart again, I will get some shrink tubing just to be on the safe side. Shucks, I thought I had done a good job------shows what I know.