Wiring up my GPS and Yeoman plotter

[castaway]

I,ve just spent afew hours positioning my Garmin GPS and Yeoman plotter, naturally there is not sufficient cable to connect the 2 units ( by about 25cm). So I,m looking for suitable cable and connectors to do a neat job. Anyone got sugestions.

Thanks Nick

 

[byron]

Re: Wireing up my GPS and Yeoman plotter

Funnily enough Andy Pocock will be doing the same job on my boat tomorrow. Email him and ask him what he is using he said it doesn't have to be heavy as it only needs a ½ amp in line fuse, I think he is using the same sort of stuff one sees on a PCs Mouse. His email is andy@classicsales.co.uk

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[castaway]

Re: Wireing up my GPS and Yeoman plotter

Thanks Ill try that. I was thinking of using phone wire, but I think that is solid core. Ill give Andy a try when I get home.
Nick

 

[ChrisP]

Re: Wireing up my GPS and Yeoman plotter

For the best results a screen'd instrument cable. Available from RS or Maplins. Keep the joints to a minimum and avoid running alongside alternator and VHF cables. Ordinary screw connectors will be ok for the connections and crimp on ferruls should be used with stranded cables. If you don't have the ferruls tin the ends of the cable to stop wayward strands. I've used this system for donkey's years and it's never let me down yet..

best of luck

ChrisP ;-)

 

[bedouin]

This is not a very demanding application so you can use almost any cable successfully - particularly if the distances are comparatively short. Almost any scrap cable from a PC mouse, serial lead will do - or telephone wire, cat5, an old audio lead...

... as for connectors - if you don't need to be able to split the lead on a regular basis then I would suggest soldering, with heatshrink over the join - screw terminal blocks also work fine. If you do need to make/break the connection then any 3-pole connector will do - if just wired my GPS up with a 3.5mm jack for connection to the computer.

 

[byron]

Thats it Bedoin, thats what Andy said he was using, Cat 5 and a connectors from a PC. he also says Mouse cable would do too.

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[castaway]

Thanks very much for all contributions folks, Ive got an old mouse lying around so it looks like he,s got a new lease of life.

Roll on summer!

Regds Nick

 

[Guest]

For direct connection to many types of Garmin GPS sets you can purchase the non-Garmin copy (Pfranc plug) of the real Garmin 4 pin plug from Norma Pinkerton Tel 0141 889 2259, email purpleUK@ntlworld.com (Garmins original plugs are moulded directly to the lead and so disassembly is not possible.)
I puchased a couple of these self assembly 'Pfranc' plugs and using the cable from an old PC mouse made up a new power and data lead (NMEA Tx to the radio) to link my Garmin 12 to a new DSC VHF Radio. The other 'Pfranc' plug was made up ready with all power and NMEA data wires connected for future use on any other interface job that might be needed.
This is a little more involved than just soldering a couple of connectors to extend your existing cable or using 'chocolate block' connectors but the finished job looks and is a whole lot neater. A suitable connector to link the end of your new lead to another lead would be the range of IP68 mini connectors from RS Components (Radio Spares) stock number for the 3 pole cable plug is 216-7458 and stock number for the 3 pole inline socket is 253-9768. These plugs and sockets are small, weatherproof and with a quarter turn coller lock securely together.
The other suggestions detailed in the other mails are simple and cheaper but if you want a really neat proffessional job then I reckon my suggestion or something similar is the only way to go.
Good Luck
An Ron Beag

 

[Joe_Cole]

I'm about to do the same job, but I also want to wire it all up to a tiller pilot.

I know that I have to wire the GPS "out" to the "in" on the plotter; but do I wire the tiller pilot "out" to the "in" on the Yeoman or the "in" on the GPS?

Does any one know?

Regards

Joe Cole

 

[Ralph]

I used a Yeoman Sport on my Alacrity with a wander lead. I had it soldered into the junction box I made up behind the main fuse panel.I have bought a bigger boat now and have put a multi pin water proof plug on the end of the yeoman data/power lead. I have put one socket in the middle of the cockpit and one in the nav station so that I can plug the Yeoman in at either place. I am using a Garmin 128 now though I have used the Yeoman with a Garmin Plus 2 and a 126. On my old boat I also had the Autohelm attached to the GPS as well as the GPS repeater. I haven't sourced a suitable GPS repeater for my new boat and I haven't run to the cost of an Autohelm with NMEA yet. The Clipper GPS repeater is OK but it doesn't give speed over ground without follwing waypoints which I can't always be bother to plug in! Ensure that you use screen cable for all NMES cabling.