Unsealed Ethernet plugs

[No1_Moose]

I seem to have been tasked with sorting out all our wiring in the Electronics cupboard. At the moment I have billions of NMEA cables going into various Chocolate blocks and bus bars which looks a complete mess and I therefore want to tidy it up a bit so big Moose cant moan.
I have an idea which would involve putting Ethernet plugs on the end of each cable and plugging them into a homemade (ie customised) 8 way network hub. Does anybody have any other suggestions because I can't find any unsealed network plugs anywhere. Are unsealed USB plugs available, because I could use them as none of the wires are more than 4 core.

<hr width=100% size=1>Ross

 

[longjohnsilver]

Yes could you try posting in English next time? The language of the Moose is not well understood, unless you only expect big Moose Moose to reply!! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[No1_Moose]

What was wrong with that? Perhaps I will post in Arabic from now on/forums/images/icons/smile.gif
Big Moose wouldn't understand any of it anyway (hope he doesn't read this!)
<hr width=100% size=1>Ross

 

[hlb]

Yer talking crap again. Go home and speak to big moose. At least he makes some sort of sence. But not much. You thought of buying a motor bike instead of a boat. Hope this helps...../forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>Specializing in marine sanitation since 1997.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[Moose]

Run that under my snout again will you.
Just ignore him, he is clearly trying to spend more of my money for no good reason

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[BrendanS]

Strip ends off all the wires. Wind all the bare metal bits together. Then solder. You will get very good connectivity this way, and all will work much better than using any sort of other connector!

<hr width=100% size=1>Utinam logica falsa tuam philisophiam totam suffodiant

 

[Forbsie]

Go to <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.maplin.co.uk>http://www.maplin.co.uk</A> and type RJ45 in the Search field.

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[studgies]

maplins and RS components sell em by the hundred for not a lot of cash, idealy you need a proper crimping tool to finish the job though, mind you they are not expensive and can be bought from the above.

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[kimhollamby]

hmmmm...

...yes, but also brittle joints which can be a bit problematic, depending on what you choose to solder and where. Plus what then happens very often is the joint in then finished off with a nice wrap of insulation tape which looks never better than okayish and eventually unwravels in a sticky mess.

Also not such as good idea to tin wire ends that are destined for the chocolate block; not only is the end brittle and liable to fracture but the screws will lose their grip over time on soldered part.

Crimping better in many ways, although have never seen Ethernet or USB plugs used around the boat for anything other than designed purpose. Brendan is right that joints should be kept to a minimum though -- corrosion can be an issue so for NMEA stuff why not find some really expensive locking collar-type plugs and sockets -- Moose can afford it we are told. As for the rest (and for NMEA as well if moths attaching wallet), standard crimp terminals made good by a decent crimping tool the best way in my book.

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[adarcy]

Re: Why not ....

use standard D-shell serial plugs?

NMEA is only a daisy-chain serial setup and yours is in the warm dry

well it's what we use no probs so far not too untidy

how many <<billions>> do you have ?

 

[Wiggo]

Re: hmmmm...

not at all sure about that, Kim. Can't beat a proper soldered joint - electrical and mechanical connection in one go. Use heat shrink tubing rather than insulation tape, and preferably the adhesive lined stuff, so that will stop moisture getting into the joint.

Crimps are notoriously weak, and prone to black corrosion on the copper strands. If you must use crimps, only use a proper crimp tool, to ensure the joint has been properly compressed.

<hr width=100% size=1><-- insert witty sig file here -->

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.fairlinetarga29.info>Buy my boat!</A>

 

[jfm]

Re: hmmmm...

I'm with Kim on this. Dunno on what basis you say they are "notoriously weak". I rememeber reading years ago when they were coming into widespread use that they were tested by various organisations including the CEGB and found to be very good.

I agree they need to be installed correctly with proper tool

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[Wiggo]

Re: hmmmm...

OK, fair point - done correctly, they are mechanically strong, but unless you use the proper tool, they will be mechanically poor. CEGB uses crimped butt splices to repair overhead power lines, so, yes they can be strong. My main issue is in a marine environment, the crimp/wire interface is exposed to the elements, and this is where corrosion will start.

<hr width=100% size=1><-- insert witty sig file here -->

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.fairlinetarga29.info>Buy my boat!</A>

 

[burgundyben]

Tinned wire?

When I re-wired Playtime I used tinned wire, made by cobra in US, bought it from On Board Power at Hamble point.

For connections why not use Krone blocks like in a patch panel?

<hr width=100% size=1>Sod the Healey - I think I'll buy an E-Type.

 

[Geoffs]

Re: Tinned wire?

With you on this one, tinned copper wire also available from Merlin Eqwuipment in Poole. Normal coppper wire useless in marine environment, have had no end of trouble with blackened wires, especially when crimped, joint goes high resistance, that's when you get all those wierd faults that you can't pin down.

<hr width=100% size=1>Old Chinese proverb 'Man who sail boat into rice field, soon get into paddy'