Can you cut and splice a NMEA 2000 cable?

[DragonflyBob]

Title is self explanatory.

I have had an Airmar Smart Tri transducer stop working so I ordered an Airmar DST810 to replace it. Can I cut the old transducer’s NMEA 2000 5 wire cable and splice the new transducer’s NMEA 2000 5 wire cable to it?

This will save me a lot of time if it is feasible.

Thanks!

[Turtle Blues]

I have done a parallel twist and solder repair on a cut cable and it worked fine. Not sure that is a solid yes for cutting and splicing a new one.

[JBP]

Sure, NMEA networks have some tolerance for that, especially if you are not pushing the limits.
Try not to untwist the wires any more than necessary.
You can also get field installable connectors from Maretron and others.

[cr180]

Absolutely. Butt splice wires. Additionally, Maretron offers NMEA 2000 field installable connectors. Screws no soldering. Used them with good results.

[DragonflyBob]

Thanks for the quick responses. We have a distance race this weekend that starts in Gulfport, MS and ends in Pensacola. When we delivered the boat to Gulfport yesterday from New Orleans, we found the transducer had died.

The new one gets delivered tomorrow (thanks Defender) and I’ll do a temporary install using butt connectors on the splices. I ordered the Maretron male and female field connectors as advised but they won’t be here in time so I’ll change out next week after the boat is back in New Orleans.