Serial connections to laptop

[Guest]

I got the point alright ...... and gave it due attention.

Like quite a few others who contacted me after your reply ...

You seem to have missed the point that was being made - there is a lot of rubbish given out about how to connect up nmea items ... myself, Talbot and many others have found it to not be rocket science .... not need expensive cash in on Marine gear .... etc. If you are worried about plugs / sockets corroding away etc. as you so glibly comment on about tel types - then you shouldn't be carrying such items on a boat - the cables / gps I mean ...
I can safely say that the tel set-up has lasted quite a number of years with no sign of corrosion or failure .... unlike the Marine Switch panel / fuse holders and other "expensive" made for marine cr*p that many seem to advocate and I see failed so many times ....

There are those who waste money on marine name tags ... others like me who take a bit of effort to find something a bit more suitable and convenient for job in hand.

So I take it - you don't want me to "knock one up for you then ?" ..... Oh well .... Here's one I made earlier ....

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tome]

Re: I got the point alright ...... and gave it due attention.

Nigel

I think the point being made here was that what you are illustrating is not best-practice so shouldn't be held up as an example to others. Glyka told you what was wrong, and his summary is quite valid IMO

There's nothing inherently wrong with your method of using telephone connectors, but the power cables should be terminated in the correct ring connectors which are then screwed properly in place. A simple knot or small tie-wrap around the power cables would improve the cable retention

There's no point getting into a froth over it, as you say it isn't rocket science

Cheers

 

[ean_p]

Re: Serial connections to laptop ..... easy ...

Safety dictates that all power carrying cables should be mechanically connected as soldering may melt.

Hi Glyka, If this is so then why is it then that almost without exception ( that been Varta, who are at the 'cheap' end of the scale) here in the UK and I believe Germany too industrial battery manufactures like Chloride etc solder all of their cable ends, cell connectors and terminal post fittings, only using screwed fittings so as to facilitate cable removal. And I can'tthink of the number of times I've watched battery service engineers re-sweat new cells inplace.

Don't understand it when crimping etc would be so much simpler and cost effective.

 

[Glyka]

Re: Serial connections to laptop ..... easy ...

Hi,

Unfortunately I don't understand exactly the situation (too many unknown words) but I will try to reply anyway.

In fact the actual safety rule is that when power lines are involved a mechanical connection must be present as well. I did not state it as it is because I thought that soldering and crimping is too much and noone would do so. What's more, although perfect soldering is probably the best electrical connection, it is a task very difficult to achieve especially if the cable consists of many strands.

Now on the cases you mention.

a. Are the soldering material and gun the same as the ones we use?
b. Is a mechanical connection also present?
c. Is a mechanical connection possible?
d. Are these connections a cause of failure?

If none of the above explain it, there must be something that I cannot think of right now. But, soldering melts. Easily. You probably know of cases where a spanner melted when it accidentaly touched both terminals of a battery. If not, don't try it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Theodore

[edit]If these connections are inside the battery may be they act as fuses. An exploding battery is probably worse than a melting connection...