Cable caps for GPS
 

Has anyone found cable caps that fit Lowrance transducer power cables? I drybag my fish finder when launching/landing so my cables get wet every time and end up looking like this:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ead78dd765.jpg

And that's AFTER cleaning with spray contact cleaner and canned blow dry.

Searching online it seems like the Lowrance connector might be a standard "NMEA 0183" but the only weather cap might be a Garmin weather cap upc 753759067663.

Has anyone solved this problem already, maybe found a common household cap that fits? I tried looking at electrical caps in HD/Lowes.




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All your connections should always have a generous coating of dielectric grease to prevent corrosion. Also always connect the battery last and disconnect first when putting in your fish finder or any electrical component. Never leave the battery connected to the harness when in storage.

I've lubed it with dielectric in the past and all that seems to do is result in a messy green(corrosion) sludge that appears to be a mix of grease and water.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...600cf0cba8.jpg


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You need to add the grease before you get the corrosion not after.

#1 Don't leave your battery connected to wires that are exposed. When disconnecting fish finder disconnect battery first then fish finder. When connecting, connect your fish finder then connect your battery. If you want use a light coating of dielectric grease, it's okay but don't go crazy with it. If you put too much grease on it there is a possibility of damaging your fish finder contacts by hydraulic pressure when you connect it!

Rise your plug connecter with fresh water...
 

As soon as you get off salt water, always disconnect battery no matter what. I tape a plastic bag over my graph with battery disconnected when I go through the surf, then i ripe plastic bag open and plug battery in when I come back through surf I take off my graph off and put it in a dry box.

Balloons
 

Dielectric grease is good, but you are talking about your connectors being exposed when you land. I couldn't find covers, so at first I would just wrap a grocery bag around the cable ends. Now that we can no longer get cheap plastic grocery bags to be reused for many other purposes.....OK, I'll get off my soap box.
Use balloons. You can buy a whole bag for a buck or two. Sometimes they tear after one use, but they are still cheap. You could probably go high-end and get the helium grade balloons that would last longer, but I'm a tightwad.

If I could find the "male" end of the power connector, like what's on the fish finder unit, I could just screw that on while in the surf. Or find a cheap extension cord that I could cut the male end from, but it seems they don't exist. I couldn't find the name of the connector: NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 seem close. Anybody know the industry name for the red power connector?


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Here's what I use..
 

As well as following procedure for connecting and disconnecting my fish finder, I also have caps for the plugs just like you asked.


Here it what I use.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps5dlrt4ep.jpghttp://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...psyi9awbej.jpg


They are soft rubber plastic caps, made with the same material as the caps that are on the back of your fish finder, for those unused plugs.

I have the same yellow caps as above and bought them for about a dollar at home depot. They were in the same section as all the screws.

Hang on...how are you fitting those round caps over the octagonal caps? (see my first corrosion pic). I thought I was looking for something that fits the inner round section?


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Here's what I use, over the inner section. Very watertight. A dab of dielectric grease on the inside. I use the same on the back of the fish finder. I got them at Marshall's Industrial hardware in Miramar. They have a large selection of types and sizes.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall...a/500/plug.JPG

Awesome, thank you so much! I'll head there later this week.


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The caps are made out of a soft plastic/rubber type material. It easily stretches over the lowrance plugs, and covers them.

Contact Lowrance and get the real thing. I'm just now installing structurescan on my PA, and one of the cables came with this cap. Since it will be permanent below deck, I moved the cap up to my power cord to the finder.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a4dd6389bd.jpg



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Yeaaah I got those...They would be great if they stayed on, but they just don't fit tightly enough for my liking, they were constantly falling off. If they work for you great!

19 cents each at Marshalls Industrial Supply near Miramar. That place is like a toy store for grown ups [emoji3]
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...cf4973f637.jpg


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Perfect

http://www.marshallshardware.com

They have an amazing selection of stainless steel fasteners too.

Do you have the part number or size? I have the Lowrance Hook 5