Extension cable for NMEA

[Dull Spark]

Previous owners have used ordinary cable to connect the GPS to the DSC radio for transfer of position data using NMEA 183. I need the proper cable to run behind some panelling. What should I be looking for (electrical spec) and where can I buy the stuff?

Many thanks.

 

[bedouin]

NMEA is a simple serial protocol so pretty much any signal cable would do. I would go for unshielded twisted pair (e.g. Ethernet cable) although you could argue that shielded (e.g. audio or microphone cable) would be better. Depends a bit on the environment and if any sources of electrical noise are nearby

 

[ShinyShoe]

I'm sure people say stranded rather than solid core because vibration on the boat makes it less likely to break.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I'm sure people say stranded rather than solid core because vibration on the boat makes it less likely to break.

Yes :encouragement:

If using Ethernet cable it should be tinned and stranded.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Previous owners have used ordinary cable to connect the GPS to the DSC radio for transfer of position data using NMEA 183. I need the proper cable to run behind some panelling. What should I be looking for (electrical spec) and where can I buy the stuff?

Many thanks.

Not really any such thing as "proper cable". You can use Ethernet cable (tinned and stranded) or a multitude of other stranded cables. If it's just a pair of wires for GPS data there is nothing to stop you using single cables.

Whatever you choose, it must be multi strand and has to be carefully supported.

 

[bedouin]

Yes :encouragement:

If using Ethernet cable it should be tinned and stranded.

Good point - stranded and tinned is highly recommended - but it is pretty easy to find

 

[elton]

Just use anything twin core you've got handy. As long as the connections are correct, it'll work.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Just use anything twin core you've got handy. As long as the connections are correct, it'll work.

What if all he has handy is some 2.5mm twin and earth domestic cable ?

What if all he has is a set of jump leads ?

 

[elton]

What if all he has handy is some 2.5mm twin and earth domestic cable ?

What if all he has is a set of jump leads ?

Either should work. But I expect he'll apply a smidgen of common sense to address the issue in a practical manner.

 

[Dull Spark]

Thanks for your advice. The current arrangement looks like a bit of stranded wire from an old 240 volt standard lamp bridging fine twisted pair wiring between GPS and DSC. Glad to hear it's not critical what I use, but tinned, stranded and twisted seems to be about it. Thanks to all.

 

[prv]

For what it's worth, the official spec is:

• Tinned
• Shielded, with at least 95% coverage and connected to the talker's chassis ground only.
• Twisted pair
• 22AWG (US measurement, about 0.33mm² in real money)
• Stranded

There are also standards for the wire colours, but these are widely ignored.

But as others have made clear, all sorts of other cable will work perfectly well. It's a powerful signal at low speed and in a yacht will only need to cover a very short distance.

Pete

 

[moomba]

For what it's worth, the official spec is:

• Tinned
• Shielded, with at least 95% coverage and connected to the talker's chassis ground only.
• Twisted pair
• 22AWG (US measurement, about 0.33mm² in real money)
• Stranded

There are also standards for the wire colours, but these are widely ignored.

But as others have made clear, all sorts of other cable will work perfectly well. It's a powerful signal at low speed and in a yacht will only need to cover a very short distance.

Pete

I have ordered some of this it may be what your needing they also do more than twin strands look at their website
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NMEA-0183-Cable-Single-Twisted-Pair-Tinned-Screened/392031919514