Terminal blocks

Bob S

Bob S

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Sep 27, 2007
1,797
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
Maine,
Can you recommend a marine grade terminal block for 18-22awg wire? I cut my radar cable when I installed it because the connector was too large to bring up the pedestal guard. I soldered them and used heat shrink tubing but want to clean up that install. Is it ok that it is not shielded at the terminal block? I am also using a terminal block to gang the SeaTalk connections on my C70 classic and my RS125 GPS.
Thanks
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
There is a multi-block that takes the cruved Sea-Talk connectors. I think it is a 4-connector block. Not sure where you'd buy it. It came OEM on my B323.
 
Bob S

Bob S

.
Sep 27, 2007
1,797
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
I'm about ready to add a terminal block in my Navpod to splice the radar cable (Raymarine). The wires are thin, maybe 24 gauge. Stu the smallest thread on the Cole Hersee blocks @ West Marine is a 6-32 which is quite big for this. I can't find a crimp terminal small enough, 22 gauge is the smallest I can find so I'm thinking of using a European style block. Any opinions?




Courtesy of McMaster Carr

What is the best way to handle the shielding? I'm not a cable expert but I assume the shielding is for interference. The cable is cut 6" from the connector.

Thanks again!
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
22,986
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Bob, that will work. It's what is used in the engine wiring harness upgrade kits and mine have been in use for over 15 years. I don't know about the shielding.
 
Charles Erwin

Charles Erwin

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Jan 30, 2012
1,140
Nor'Sea 27 "Kiwanda" Portland/ Anacortes
The euro block is the right choice in my opinion - longer ones (10 pair or more) are obtainable even at Radio Shack. The cable shielding interruption will be of no consequence. Just be sure the shielding is gathered and set into its own pair of terminals - just like any of the other 9 or so wires involved in the cable.

Charles
 
Sailvayu

Sailvayu

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Jul 25, 2007
320
-Irwin -Citation 40 Wilmington, NC
The euro blocks are not ABYC compliant although I would not let that alone be a reason for not using them. I have found that this type of connector being a captive screw type can cause problems, As you tighten the screw it compresses the wire breaking strands and sometimes pushing the wire off the crew or even cutting it in two. They are also prone to holding water in the little tubes for the wires and screws. I have seen many failures with these and have stopped using them myself. You can get smaller screw terminal blocks or for low voltage wires like you are talking about solder and heat shrink make a good option.
 
Charles Erwin

Charles Erwin

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Jan 30, 2012
1,140
Nor'Sea 27 "Kiwanda" Portland/ Anacortes
Jeeez Wayne - its a multi-lead cable from the radar display to the radar dome. I don't think ABYC expresses any opinion on radar cable wire-ups - but if there are ABYC restrictions here please tell us where to find them.

As to splices Furuno (for example) - expressly rejects splices in such cables because splices are simply not reliable. The wires are so fine it is unlikely any normal human being could possibly perform a reliable splice.

Obviously - the block location should be out of the weather. By the way - when I do these I normally tin the end of the lead inserted in the block to avoid "wire crush."

Charles
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Sailvayu said:
The euro blocks are not ABYC compliant although I would not let that alone be a reason for not using them. I have found that this type of connector being a captive screw type can cause problems, As you tighten the screw it compresses the wire breaking strands and sometimes pushing the wire off the crew or even cutting it in two. They are also prone to holding water in the little tubes for the wires and screws. I have seen many failures with these and have stopped using them myself. You can get smaller screw terminal blocks or for low voltage wires like you are talking about solder and heat shrink make a good option.
Click to expand
They are compliant if they have a "pressure plate" that presses on the wire and the screw presses on the pressure plate.. Be sure you get a pressure plate style Euro strip or they will cause issues.

That said I don't really like Euro strips. Sometimes I will use a purpose made pin & socket connector, often Bulgin connectors, but they are expensive. You'd also need a special crimp tool for the pins. They are also tedious as hell to wire.

I usually buy the right size non-insulated ring terminals, use a special crimp tool for non-insulated terminals, then adhesive heat shrink over them. Generally the shielding for that sort of distance is a non-issue but of you are concerned you can wrap the wires in foil then individually shrink them or use an aluminum job-box to put them in..

I would avoid soldering these tiny wires as that is one of the most failure prone issues I see in radar cables...

I also stick them in "job boxes" like this so everything stays dry. I also spray the t-strip when done with DeOxIt Shield...

 
Sailvayu

Sailvayu

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Jul 25, 2007
320
-Irwin -Citation 40 Wilmington, NC
Curious why do you see failures with the soldered cables? I have not run into that myself.

And Charles I did say I would not let the ABYC thing make my decision I was just mentioning it and went on to explain the problems with that type of connector.

See ABYC E11.14.5.5 and yes mainsail is right about the pressure plate but almost every euro type connector I have seen do not meet this requirement.

It is nice to do things in a good manner but we are talking a 30' coastal cruiser not a space shuttle. Personally it makes little sense to me to spend $30-$40 dollars to make a simple connection when it can be done for less than $1.00. If we were talking a 6 to 7 figure world cruiser I would say by all means do it up and make sure everything is the best.
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Sailvayu said:
Curious why do you see failures with the soldered cables? I have not run into that myself.

And Charles I did say I would not let the ABYC thing make my decision I was just mentioning it and went on to explain the problems with that type of connector.

See ABYC E11.14.5.5 and yes mainsail is right about the pressure plate but almost every euro type connector I have seen do not meet this requirement.

It is nice to do things in a good manner but we are talking a 30' coastal cruiser not a space shuttle. Personally it makes little sense to me to spend $30-$40 dollars to make a simple connection when it can be done for less than $1.00. If we were talking a 6 to 7 figure world cruiser I would say by all means do it up and make sure everything is the best.
Click to expand
These wires are teeny tiny, the solder creates a hard spot. Disconnecting, reconnecting, we unstep many spars each winter, thus the "splice", flexes the shrink wrap, or "tape" an owner or yard has installed over the solder and yep, they break. It's the first thing I check...

Here in the land of fog radar is a safety feature so I am very glad we are no longer dealing with those multi-conductor single radar cables. Splicing & re-terminating a datcom cable, such as those on newer radars, is MUCH easier and also more reliable.....
 
Sailvayu

Sailvayu

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Jul 25, 2007
320
-Irwin -Citation 40 Wilmington, NC
Agreed if you have to redo the connection ever year solder would not be the way to go. Other than that I have seen no issues with a well done solder joint on LOW voltage wires such as NMEA wires. I am not a fan of solder in general but it does work well on teeny tiny wires if it is permanent.
 
Bob S

Bob S

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Sep 27, 2007
1,797
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
They are compliant if they have a "pressure plate" that presses on the wire and the screw presses on the pressure plate..
Click to expand
Thanks everyone. I have two 6 connector Euro blocks I bought from McMaster and they do have pressure plates. I was debating on soldering a pin on each and plug it into the block but I think I'll just use as is. I have on hand a few 6-32 and 8-32 blocks too. I'll need at least two larger connectors for the power. I like the job box idea but there isn't enough room inside the Navpod to fit. The navpod should be somewhat dry. The biggest issue is condensation.
 
Bob S

Bob S

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Sep 27, 2007
1,797
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
I thought the wire mesh folded back was the shielding
 
FourPoints

FourPoints

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Apr 8, 2010
1,606
Frers 33 41426 Westport, CT
Bob S said:
I thought the wire mesh folded back was the shielding
Click to expand

that's wire? looked like a nylon weave in the picture. if so, assuming there wasn't a layer of plastic between them, the two combine to be the shield, just connect whichever piece you can when making the splices.
 
Bob S

Bob S

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Sep 27, 2007
1,797
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
Maine,
Thanks for the pictorial. As usual, great job.
I'm going to use a dry box like you illustrated. What is your opinion on using connectors verses terminal blocks? The Raymarine radar cable is terminated with a Molex R126 connector and I was thinking of buying the mating connector to splice the two cables. I'll use a terminal block for the four power and one shield connections.
 
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