Wire connection marine saltwater enviro...

Bill D.

Bill D.

Crazy Old RO
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A local friend has asked me to help install new electronics in his CC because I've been there and done that a few times. I admit to being just a tad bit anal about this job. In all the boats I've had I would go the route of making the connection, soldering that connection, liquid electrical tape, and heat shrink, even on wires in "protected" areas. Yes, I know it is ridiculous over kill, but OTOH I have never had a failure with connections. My question, after y'all stop laughing, is what do you think of these all in one connectors with the low temp solder, plastic coat, and shrink cover in one unit?
 
Normally soldering is avoided on boats because the vibration can break the solder. I always use marine butt connectors with the built in shrink tube. Crimp them with a good ratchet crimp tool and seal the shrink ends with a heat gun. Never had an issue. I guess you could add an extra layer of shrink tube to satisfy you anal urges :)
 
I tried those connections with the solder built in and had zero luck. Several of the connections came apart. I will no longer attempt to use them.

The best thing I ever did was to buy a ratchet crimper as Pascal mentioned. I don't see where soldering would be an issue on a boat but I'm too lazy.
 
WALSHIE said:
I tried those connections with the solder built in and had zero luck. Several of the connections came apart. I will no longer attempt to use them.

The best thing I ever did was to buy a ratchet crimper as Pascal mentioned. I don't see where soldering would be an issue on a boat but I'm too lazy.
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Thanks, I figured they were too good to be true.
 
And another vote for the ratchet crimper. For about 20 years I was using those crappy single crimp cheapo hardware store devices - and couldn’t figure out why my twisted tape splices always outlasted my crimped connections. Thought I was some kind of master at wire twisting. :) but then finally got a real crimper. what a difference. And i didn’t even get a crazy expensive one -

 
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PascalG said:
Normally soldering is avoided on boats because the vibration can break the solder. I always use marine butt connectors with the built in shrink tube. Crimp them with a good ratchet crimp tool and seal the shrink ends with a heat gun. Never had an issue. I guess you could add an extra layer of shrink tube to satisfy you anal urges :)
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Nailed it.
 
In aircraft where vibration and moisture (like in wheel wells) are a constant problem, the standard is adhesive lined heat shrink connectors, double crimped with a ratchet unit (properly calibrated, they do wear). If you want "belt and suspenders" you can place a second layer of adhesive lined heat shrink tubing over the connector. The key however is to monitor the entire process precisely. Over or under stripping results in exposed wire or insufficient wire insertion. A crimped connector where the wire is not inserted of sufficient length lacks strength on the crimp. Equally so, an over stripped wire has the weakness of the adhesive just contacting bare metal which is insufficient adhesive strength and worse, insufficient sealing. Finally a lot of wire is damaged in stripping by nicking of the conductor. That is why precision strippers are a must using the correct dies. Too often people strip AWG wire with an SAE wire gauge. This will result in nicking of the conductor. The same gauge of AWG is larger than SAE wire.
 
add: I don't even want to know what a crimper does...:D
 
Gregory S said:
Strippers with crimpers should be avoided at all costs.
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Y'all pay close attention to the above advice. It's coming from a Navy Surgeon who likely has some experience in these things. <grin>
 
I thought Subic Bay was closed years ago.
 
Buy Ancor connectors and crimpers. They have an extensive selection. Including some crimpers that are double crimp ones.
 
Do not solder electrical connections on boats. Use marine crimp connectors (Anchor is a name brand). Use a proper crimping tool with them and learn how to crimp wires before you start doing this on your boat.

The crimp terminals with the built in adhesive lined heat shrink tubing are the best if there's any chance of moisture.
 
OK, I get the hints, no more solder. However I have in past times looked at old connections I've done and have never even seen even a 'blacking' or other hint of corrosion. I use a method of splitting each wire end bundle in half and then a loop and twisting to join the two wires. It's probably a solid connection by itself. I just put some solder on after the join followed by liquid electrical tape, shrink tube. I'm talking outboard powered boats and their radios, depth finders, pumps, etc. and I'm unclear as to what/how the solder could possibly cause a problem.
 
Bill D. said:
OK, I get the hints, no more solder. However I have in past times looked at old connections I've done and have never even seen even a 'blacking' or other hint of corrosion. I use a method of splitting each wire end bundle in half and then a loop and twisting to join the two wires. It's probably a solid connection by itself. I just put some solder on after the join followed by liquid electrical tape, shrink tube. I'm talking outboard powered boats and their radios, depth finders, pumps, etc. and I'm unclear as to what/how the solder could possibly cause a problem.
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Assuming you know how to actually solder and are not just dropping gobs of melted solder on the wires (like I have seen many people do), your solder wicks up the strands of wire a bit and turns what was once stranded wire into solid wire. Continued movement or vibration can fracture that solid portion of the wire.

The ABYC cautions against soldering electrical connections on boats.
 
rwidman2 said:
Assuming you know how to actually solder and are not just dropping gobs of melted solder on the wires (like I have seen many people do), your solder wicks up the strands of wire a bit and turns what was once stranded wire into solid wire. Continued movement or vibration can fracture that solid portion of the wire.

The ABYC cautions against soldering electrical connections on boats.
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Yep, I understand solder flow and actually know how to. Realistically I don't think it would be a issue on the size and typr boats I'm thinking about. However, the crimping method is clearly easier and superior so now noted!
 
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