What is best to use, i am wiring up a vhf, plotter, ais splitter and ais reciever, the wires on the data side are all very small, what is the best method of connecting the wires, solder and heat shrink, butt connectors and crimping or terminal blocks or other. Want to do anproper neat job.
Actisense is good quality kit. I have one of their NMEA multiplexers
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Actisense do a connection box which i think can be used on NMEA 0183 network connections. Overview
Errr . . .that's for NMEA 2000 connections. You don't need a fancy box for NMEA 0183.
One way to do it is crimp ferrules on the end of the small wires. Connect with a terminal block that has wire protector/leafs (ie a small plate under the screw that covers the whole gap). Put the whole lot in a waterproof box. This sort of thing - cheaper/more expensive types available. You need a proper crimp tool for the ferrules.
Wouldn't recommend solder connections - prone to failure unless you have good technique. Crimp and heatshrink by all means though. Label everything.
Did you find a solution? I have just replaced my VHF and would like to tidy up the mess under the console as well. (Tho it does all work so maybe I should leave it!)
NMEA 2000 has a plug on the end of every cable and there are never any bare wires, NMEA 0183 are just the opposite. I would recommend crimp connectors with the glue lined heatshrink built in, if it's going to get wet you could heatshrink over the whole thing to support it all.
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