Connecting signal wires

[JABS]

Can anyone suggest the best and most reliable way to connect the NMEA outputs and inputs together?

The wires are quite tiny and not physically strong.

I was thinking of soldering and adhesive lined heat shrink to support the join?

Is there a better way.

I intend to support the wires once joined.

Thanks!

[captnjack]

I soldered and heat shrinked mine. I thought they were too small to crimp connect. No issues 5+yrs later and mine are just kinda stuffed into the console.

[Festinghouse]

solder and heat shrink - everytime!

[Alzi]

Yep , Solder and Heatshrink's the way to go for me too

[BumbleAbout]

From bitter experience ...

Push glue lined heatshrink onto each wire (well out of the way)
Push larger diameter glue lined heatshrink onto the bundle (out of the way)
Twist the wires together

Then test that it all works (may involve some temporary insulation tape)

Only then, solder each connection
Heatshrink each wire
Heatshrink the bundle (which supports the soldered and heatshrunk joints)

[Channel Ribs]

If one were needed, another vote for glue lined heat shrink.

[JABS]

Thanks guys!

[Richard Selman]

Before I solder I always tie wrap/tape the main cables together around the outer sheath pointing the same way to avoid any stress being placed on the inner cores. Lot easier to work with as well as you join up the pairs. You can then stick them in a little box to protect the splice. If necessary you can seal the box up with sealant or fill it with resin/epoxy.

Richard

[9D280]

Once again I'm going to throw cats into the proverbial pidgeons.....

Does your rib live afloat? I ask because when I wired mine up (Icom 411 - Garmin12) I decided that in the fullness of time I'd be buying a plotter, and so like my VHF I put a plug / socket on the ends, the idea being I have a "patch panel". Theory goes that if the plotter packs up, I can in a matter of 2 minutes move the NMEA signal to the Garmin. (or in the case of the VHF, if one antenna breaks, it's 2 min job to get connected again)

The inline plug / socket combos & the free plugs are held to the inside wall of the console by stainless spring clips.


And yes, I know that statistically the chances are that it's going to be the same flat battery that takes out the plotter will also take out the VHF, but all other plotter problems are bypassable.....

[JABS]

Very good point, and I did consider that.

On the boat in question everything will be duplicated, so not so much of an issue.

The problem with a connector coming undone is, to me, worse than fixing a break in an emergency.

I did consider using connector pins covered in heat shrink. This would be an elegant solution but the chances of pulling one apart whilst trouble shooting would be high! If all four came apart, there is then the issue of looking up what went where!

[9D280]

Originally Posted by JABS

On the boat in question everything will be duplicated, so not so much of an issue.

2 VHFs? I have 2, but my handheld won't do DSC...... (and there is of course now the DSC handheld option which negates the battery problem as well!)

Originally Posted by JABS

The problem with a connector coming undone is, to me, worse than fixing a break in an emergency.

Plenty of connectors out there with latching mechanisms.

[Paul Cannell]

Originally Posted by JABS

Can anyone suggest the best and most reliable way to connect the NMEA outputs and inputs together?

The wires are quite tiny and not physically strong.

I was thinking of soldering and adhesive lined heat shrink to support the join?

Is there a better way.

I intend to support the wires once joined.

Thanks!

Would these be suitable > Heat Shrinkable Solder Butt Splice - Electrical Equipment for Boat, MotorHome & Caravan Owners

[Sea Witch]

I crimped mine together and have them in a junction box along with automotive fuse block for power supply to GPS / VHF . Nothing is exposed to the elements !

[BumbleAbout]

Originally Posted by Paul Cannell

Would these be suitable > Heat Shrinkable Solder Butt Splice - Electrical Equipment for Boat, MotorHome & Caravan Owners

I would suggest something like these instead Black Adhesive Lined Heat Shrink | Electrical Tubing - Heatshrink-Online - the glue lined heatshrink is better at preventing water ingress and the physical twisting of wires together followed by soldering gives a really good connection.

Some people get away with using normal heatshrink and then filling the ends with glue from a hot melt glue gun before applying more heat to shrink, but it gets really fiddly and the proper glue lined heatshrink isn't much more expensive.

A really good IP67 (or better) case with waterproof cable entry glands can work, but it's more expensive.