Thin wire connectors

Mudisox

Mudisox

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I have a new wind direction/speed unit for the top of my mast but need to separate the run back to the unit as I can drop my mast. Unfortunately there is little space available and the old connection has had it through water ingress [now fixed] .
Recommendations please for small fine wire connectors [4 wires].
 
Mudisox said:
I have a new wind direction/speed unit for the top of my mast but need to separate the run back to the unit as I can drop my mast. Unfortunately there is little space available and the old connection has had it through water ingress [now fixed] .
Recommendations please for small fine wire connectors [4 wires].
Click to expand...

Feed the wire though the deck using one of these: Vertical Cable Seal Power Boat

Make the join inside the boat, in the dry, using Wago connectors. WAGO 221

You can key the connector with some course sandpaper and epoxy it to the deck head.
 
Apologies for the intervention but I don't understand Wago connectors.

In the OP's case he has 8 wires to connect in pairs. Which Wago connector does he use?

I should explain I bought a couple in a chandlery the other day and it wasn't obvious how they achieved an electrical connection without stuffing two wires in the same hole.
 
James_Calvert said:
Apologies for the intervention but I don't understand Wago connectors.

In the OP's case he has 8 wires to connect in pairs. Which Wago connector does he use.

I should explain I bought a couple in a chandlery the other day and it wasn't obvious how they achieved an electrical connection without stuffing two wires in the same hole.
Click to expand...

The link in post #6 tells you all about Wago connectors.

You don't put two wires in the same hole *. If it's a double Wago you put one wire in each hole and they will be connected to one another., three wires in a 3 way or 5 in a 5 way.

It can be acceptable to put more than one wire in a single hole, if they are stranded wires of the same size (so all of the strands are the same physical size).
 
Another +1 for Wago connectors for small gauge wire, I've also had good experience with the knock-offs (caveat emptor here).

ctva said:
Interested as to why?
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The gel ones are not ideal in this application as they are single-use, so the wire would need to be cut if they are ever to be replaced. In addition, it is impossible to inspect the connectors once fitted, so if there was an issue or corrosion, etc it is impossible to check this connector.
 
I made a dead cheap "swan's neck" by using a section of cycle inner tube Jubilee clipped to the original deck fitting with its innards removed to accommodate more cables. The curvature built in to the inner tube seems to keep it inverted. Below deck I crimped on sturdy car bullet type connectors and ran the cables, all with colour coded sleeves on them, through individual slots in and out of a shallow timber box. The box has a lid held by two woodscrews. ....only one of which needs to be removed to gain access. The inner tube lasts several years and is easily replaced.
 
I use a terminal block with screw connectors like this one:

Bluesea Systems 20A Terminal Block - 10 Way

mounted below deck close to the mast with a suitable waterproof gland in the deck.

I think the screw terminals work will with thin bare wires. In other situations I also use the "Wago" style and they are also very good
 
bedouin said:
I use a terminal block with screw connectors like this one:

Bluesea Systems 20A Terminal Block - 10 Way

mounted below deck close to the mast with a suitable waterproof gland in the deck.

I think the screw terminals work will with thin bare wires. In other situations I also use the "Wago" style and they are also very good
Click to expand...

That terminal block is designed to have ring or fork terminals crimped to the wires, not bare wires.
 
PaulRainbow said:
That terminal block is designed to have ring or fork terminals crimped to the wires, not bare wires.
Click to expand...
Probably - but they do a fine job with bare wires too - particularly if they have a washer under the screw. Look inside an old BT telephone connector or many other uses and you will find equivalent connections.

We are talking about a masthead wind instrument here - not radar or gigabyte ethernet :)
 
bedouin said:
Probably - but they do a fine job with bare wires too - particularly if they have a washer under the screw. Look inside an old BT telephone connector or many other uses and you will find equivalent connections.
Click to expand...

Indeed i would, but i'd also likely find some single strand wire too, should we use that on a boat ?

We are talking about a masthead wind instrument here - not radar or gigabyte ethernet :)
Click to expand...

Masthead instrument wiring, carrying DC power and NMEA data, on a boat. Your telephone isn't in a harsh environment, subject to vibration and banging around at sea.

Why pay a tenner for something that isn't designed for the job, take the screws out, fit washers and then connect wires in a poor way, when you could use £1 worth of Wagos and have a proper job ?
 
PaulRainbow said:
Masthead instrument wiring, carrying DC power and NMEA data, on a boat. Your telephone isn't in a harsh environment, subject to vibration and banging around at sea.

Why pay a tenner for something that isn't designed for the job, take the screws out, fit washers and then connect wires in a poor way, when you could use £1 worth of Wagos and have a proper job ?
Click to expand...
The benefit of the strip is that you can (sometimes) make a neater job with a single strip having multiple connections and not ending up with a collection of loose Wagos dangling off your cables. So for example in terminating the cable for the MFD a strip is a better way of making the connections (including NMEA)

A screw terminal like that makes a reliable connection with fine wires and are widely used in industrial applications - but I prefer them with a washer beneath the screw. If you prefer it you could crimp a connector on to the end of the wires but I am not convinced that would make for a more secure connection.
 
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