Peter Hendra wrote:
On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 11:52:27 -0400, Theo Weber wrote:


When I first purchased this instrument, it came with a small
connection box that connected the instrument wiring together. However,
I didn't like the box since the wires are so small and the whole set up
seemed very fiddly and time consuming when it came time to step the
mast. This season, I bought a small $12 5-pin male and female connector
and soldered the wires.
Now I'm finding that wires don't stay connected very well since the
connector is quite small and the amount of solder I can apply is
minimal. I'm thinking I need a connector that has a push fit wire
insertion method instead of solder. I spoke with CMC Electronics, the
Ontario Raymarine service facility, and they have a PNP off-shore
connector for about $35., which seems somewhat pricey.
Does anyone have any experience with another solution. Cheers

Theo


My Raytheon wind did not come with any connection box. I cut the cable beneath
the mast (inside the cabin) and joined it using a connector strip - the cheap
hardware ones that you screw the wire to. The wires were tinned, the whole thing
secured from the weather in a air-tight electronics box. Have had no problems
whatsoever.

For the Raytheon radar, did the same thing, only longer strip and larger box. I
cut wires across the cable at an angle so that unsheiled area would not be too
long.
If you use any soldered connector YOU MUST HAVE A STRAIN RELEAF GRIPPING
THE CABLE JACKET or you cannot expect the solder joints to stay
connected. If the joint doesn't fail, the wire will break just beyond
the solder. Also more solder usually results in a weaker joint. How
thick are the ST60 wires? (I've only worked on ST 40&50 stuff) If they
are a similar thickness to the wires in a PC network cable, I'd be
tempted to crimp on a RJ45 connector. OTOH a properly soldered
connector should be more reliable. Whatever you do, the connector
should be sized to let you put it through the deck gland so it can stay
dry and you should have a drip loop between the gland and the connector
to keep any small seepage away from the terminals.

--
Ian Malcolm. London, ENGLAND. (NEWSGROUP REPLY PREFERRED)
ianm[at]the[dash]malcolms[dot]freeserve[dot]co[dot]uk
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'Stingo' Albacore #1554 - 15' Early 60's, Uffa Fox designed,
All varnished hot moulded wooden racing dinghy.