How do you connect NMEA wires?

[NPMR]

I fitted, and it worked fine, a GPS plotter and hooked it up to a new DSC VHF - eventually!

But one thing bothers me.

The wires are tiny and the best I could manage was a very crude set of joins using a connector block and screws.

But surely there is a more elegant and secure way to make the joins?

And why, for heavens sake are the wires so damn thin? Surely they are not really man enough for a lifetime at sea?

But I would dearly love to make a neater job of the joins, particularly as I want to fit AIS next and will need the same output wires from the GPS.

How do the professionals do it?

 

[DogWatch]

solder and heatshrink

or if you wish them to be removable buy (PBO users may need help locating their wallet) some decent inline connectors. Tightarse PBO translation==> solder pins to the wires and use chocky blocks.

 

[pvb]

But surely there is a more elegant and secure way to make the joins?

One solution is to use a higher-quality connector block with a stainless leaf in each hole which separates the wire from the rotating screw. This is a better way of clamping very fine cables. You can buy them easily - see Index Marine if you have difficulty.

A second solution is to use a Scotchlok UR2 butt connector. These cunning devices are intended for fine wires, there's no wire stripping needed - just poke the wires in the holes and clamp the connector with pliers. The body contains a sealant which is forced around the connections during the clamping process.

 

[sailorman]

Mine are connected with a block connector & been ok for 12years

 

[KREW2]

I use crimping joints, I twist together the two wires that are to be joined, put both wires in the same end of the crimp joint and squeeze with mole grips, set to the closed position.

 

[elton]

solder and heatshrink

Exactly what I was going to say.

 

[tudorsailor]

I fitted, and it worked fine, a GPS plotter and hooked it up to a new DSC VHF - eventually!

But one thing bothers me.

The wires are tiny and the best I could manage was a very crude set of joins using a connector block and screws.

But surely there is a more elegant and secure way to make the joins?

And why, for heavens sake are the wires so damn thin? Surely they are not really man enough for a lifetime at sea?

But I would dearly love to make a neater job of the joins, particularly as I want to fit AIS next and will need the same output wires from the GPS.

How do the professionals do it?

If it is any commiseration.... I have an Oyster 49 and would have expected the electrics to be best possible. I had to replace the cable to the chart plotter - long story. I was amazed that the NMEA junction box for 5 sets of NMEA wires was simply having 5 wires twisted to together and stuffed into a choc strip connector with another 5 coming out the other side (for each of the wires). However, thank goodness they were not soldered into one mass, as replacing one of the five would have been difficult. But getting 5 little wires into each hole in the connector without one falling out was challenging

I too wondered if there was a more elegant solution to NMEA junction

TudorSailor

 

[Spyro]

Similar but before puting them into the choc bloc twist the wires and solder the ends to create a pin.

 

[RestlessL]

Another vote for the Scotchlock UR2 (3-way) or UY2 (2-way) connector, available here:
http://uk.farnell.com/3m/uy2/connector-idc-uy2/dp/1211045

John

 

[ghostlymoron]

I am ashamed to admit that my new plotter is connected using wires twisted together and bound with black PVC tape. I had no suitable connectors when I fitted it and no soldering iron either. It works though! But I promise I will make a proper job imminently.

 

[LittleShip]

I am ashamed to admit that my new plotter is connected using wires twisted together and bound with black PVC tape. I had no suitable connectors when I fitted it and no soldering iron either. It works though! But I promise I will make a proper job imminently.

And you should be ashamed as well.......... this is after all the PBO site not bodgit a scarpers site. Tut Tut.

I have to say that personally I dont like those Scotch block crimp devices, I never liked them on cars never mind at sea. I'm with solder and choc block brigade.

Tom

 

[pvb]

I have to say that personally I dont like those Scotch block crimp devices, I never liked them on cars never mind at sea.

The small gel-filled ones are totally different from the car type.

 

[ukmctc]

I am ashamed to admit that my new plotter is connected using wires twisted together and bound with black PVC tape. I had no suitable connectors when I fitted it and no soldering iron either. It works though! But I promise I will make a proper job imminently.

Don't use a block connector, they rust get loose and rot, they are absolute rubbish and should not be used for any marine electrical fitting.
Now that said buy some gelconnectors, (BT use these too), these snap on and seal the wire in a gel coat inside the connection, water tight and no rust or loose srews. The are small and very tidy. Makes the job look good too.

 

[rob2]

My preference is perhaps a little bulky, but that is an advantage when trying to fix things on a rolling boat! The power and NMEA cables are routed into a box containing bus bars. Each cable has ring terminals crimped on which are then screwed to the bus bars. The only real difficulty is that the cables are so small, that proper strain relief is impossible. I rely on securing the cables into a cable tied loom for strain relief.

Rob.