Electrical Connections

[Charlie]

Hello all:

I recently figured out what was wrong with my autopilot. The potentiometer needed to be replaced. I have the part and am going to replace it this weekend. I have a question though. I know that everytime that you splice a wire there is the potential for a problem but I wanted an easier way to remove the drive unit fro the autopilot. currently it is a continous wire from the control head to the drive unit. I was thinking of adding a splice and a connection so that I could take the unit out without cutting the wires. There are five wires. Three light guage wires that read resistance and two #10 wires for pwer. I was thinkg of getting a high quality Marine plug (Does anyone have a recomendation?) Then I though maybe I should just get a block that will connect five wires. The connections will be in the Lazeret which is generally dry but must be prepared for wet condtions.

1)Do you think it is a good idea to put the splice in?

2) What would you use for the connection?

[David M]

Hi Charlie,
I would install a terminal block so your auto pilot wires can easily be disconnected in the future again if necessary.

If you are concerned about any resistance, a linemans splice that is soldered with heat shrink over the splice would work.

As far as your crimp connections go, they can have very little resistance if done correctly, now and in the future as well. Use some marine grade heat shrink connectors like the Ancor connectors you get at West Marine. On the bare metal parts, apply some Tef-Gel (you can get this at KKMI right near you) or some silicone grease (dive shop or Grainger) to displace any moisture that might get on your bare metal connectors or your terminal block. In my experience the TefGel holds up forever compared to the silicone grease which gradually goes away in a moist environment.

Lineman Splice 22 AWG wire pre-solder condition

Lineman Splice 22 AWG wire post-solder condition

[sandy daugherty]

There are plugs with enough connectors, used for mast base connections. However, unless you are going to be disconnecting and re-connecting these wires every year, I think you would be better off with heat-shrink butt connectors. If you have a heat gun, and can afford them, there are heat-shrink butt connectors with a dab of very low temp solder in the middle which flows below the melting point of the plastic! If the wires read resistance then you don't want to shorten them very much. The easiest way for an inexperienced person to reconnect these wires would be with a small block providing you anchor the ends mechanically to counter stress and vibration.

[Charlie]

Thanks David and Sandy:

I may not have to disconnect these items for years but would like to have the ability to do it should I need to. I think the terminal block is a good way to go and the Tef Gel will make me more comfortable in the moist environment.

[David M]

Sandy, I have to respectfully disagree about the butt connectors. I have seen too many fail or create resistance. The USCG does not like to see them in inspected vessels for this reason. Its always better to do a continuous run of wire if possible.

[S/V Antares]

NAPA auto stores sell a 10 boz can (With brush top) of silicon paste under $10. less than 1/2 maine prices. "A little dab will do you"

[David M]

I have always wondered why West Marine does not carry TefGel or silicon grease? From a rather conspiratorial perspective, could it be they would then sell less stuff that replaces parts that failed from corrosion? Don't know, but it does make you wonder why they refuse to sell something so basic to boating. I wrote them an email asking if they would stock these two products years ago. It was ignored.

[Ex-Calif]

It may not be appropriate for this "semi-permanent" connection but I wired our tiller pilot and a couple fo other things using high quality audio connectors. For bulkhead connections there are wiide variety of male bulkhead fittings in 2-3-4-5 and 6 wire versions of several sizes (diameters). The beauty is there is a cap on a lanyard that you screw on to cover the male fittings when the unit is removed. Just like most mast butt connectors.

For frequently disconnected inline connections I use something similar to a microphone connector. I use one on the tiller pilot. I made a Y cable so that I can plug the tiller pilot into the bulkhead power and the other leg of the wire accepts the GPS input using the inline connector.

We really never use GPS to steer the boat but I wanted to prove it works...

[btrayfors]

David,

Try again. They've a new CEO who's a boater, I'm told. He's been making some significant changes (but there's still a long way to go!).

Bill

[S/V Antares]

David, Tef-gel was sold by West Marine for a while. It is made by Ultra safety Systems in Fl. The inventor of this great stuff is x nasa and a great guy, Basic genius that looks like he came out of a homeless soup kitchen, Makes robotic equipment in his sleep Among other cool stuff He developed a way to super homoginize TFT in a paste. Te.f-gel

West can be difficult. They treat vendors like crap. It would not supprise me if Bob just told them to go fly a kite.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by David M

I have always wondered why West Marine does not carry TefGel or silicon grease? From a rather conspiratorial perspective, could it be they would then sell less stuff that replaces parts that failed from corrosion? Don't know, but it does make you wonder why they refuse to sell something so basic to boating. I wrote them an email asking if they would stock these two products years ago. It was ignored.

I bought TefGel at our local West Marine last year.

[David M]

Originally Posted by colemj

I bought TefGel at our local West Marine last year.

Wow....that's news to me. I will ask them next time I am in the store.

[Chief Engineer]

What wrong with Fire nuts or colored electrical tape?

[senormechanico]

Charlie,

Solder them, use shrink tubing and fogeddaboudit!
Steve B.
(retired electronics tech and boat owner since 1968)

[JiffyLube]

Sinace WM is under a new top managment you might try asking them again.

Originally Posted by David M

I have always wondered why West Marine does not carry TefGel or silicon grease? From a rather conspiratorial perspective, could it be they would then sell less stuff that replaces parts that failed from corrosion? Don't know, but it does make you wonder why they refuse to sell something so basic to boating. I wrote them an email asking if they would stock these two products years ago. It was ignored.