Posted on: 9/21/2015 2:00:00 AM

Ancor Marine, part of Power Products LLC, came out with a self-cutting cable tie.

“It makes wiring installations easier, faster and more efficient — and requires no tools,” Matt Elsner, group product manager of Power Products, said of the new cable ties as he showed them to me. “Of all our new products, this one really resonates because it solves a problem. Let’s face it, cutting cable ties is a hassle.”

As a jury-rigger, I say “mmm-hmm,” and I’m sure many marine electricians will find these nylon ties (which have a 50-pound tensile strength) useful. A stainless steel razor inside the tie’s receiving end plays the key role. After the tie has been pulled to its desired length or tightness, you simply twist the tail and the razor leaves a clean, flush cut without sharp edges. With no tool required, the risk of damaging whatever you’re bundling is eliminated, Elsner added. The ties come in 8-, 11- and 14-inch sizes.

Power Products held a press luncheon to highlight new products across its seven brands — ParkPower, Ancor, Mastervolt, BEP, Marinco, ProMariner and Blue Sea Systems. David Johnson, the company’s senior vice president of marine and mobile of the Americas, listed some new electrical devices from Blue Sea Systems, and his colleague, Danny Ascencio Hall, later demonstrated them as installed at the show.

The Mini Add-A-Battery Plus is sold with a BatteryLink Charger and is capable of juicing two batteries at or away from the dock. The Mini Add-A-Battery simplifies switching between the two batteries. Bottom line: The product virtually “eliminates the risk of getting stranded with a dead battery,” Johnson said..

Two dual USB chargers — one that fits a 12V charging receptacle — deliver 4.8 amps of charging power and feature “intelligent device recognition” (optimizes charging for Apple and non-Apple devices). It can be used with 12V or 24V systems.

The Mini OLED (organic light-emitting diode) DC Voltmeter monitors 12V and 24V systems with a bright waterproof daylight-readable screen.

Self-cutting cable ties are coming in December.

ANCOR Catalog