Marine Stereo - Splicing Different Wire Gauges

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

RJM2 - 26 Jun 2008 22:20 GMT

Hi Folks,

Another question about a marine radio install. I'm replacing the
stereo in my boat and the 12V+ wire coming from the battery is of
gauge 10AWG and the negative ground (connected directly to the
negative terminal of the battery is 8AWG. The wires coming off the
stereo's wiring harness are much thinner (not 100% sure what gauge but
much smaller).

Is it OK to splice these two different gauges of wires together? If
so, what is the best method of doing so? Solder & Heat shrink?
Crimping?

Running new wiring of a smaller gauge back to the batteries would be a
pretty big job.

Thanks,
Rob

Reply to this Message

Paul - 27 Jun 2008 03:08 GMT

You will be fine doing that. Solder and heat shrink is the best bet on
a boat. Second choice would be a butt splice with built in heat shrink
and dielectric grease in side. Strip the smaller gauge wire back
enough so you can fold over a couple of times to take up the room in
the connector. Or, use a small piece of the larger wire to do the
same.

Reply to this Message

Meindert Sprang - 27 Jun 2008 09:08 GMT

> You will be fine doing that. Solder and heat shrink is the best bet on
> a boat.

Nope. Crimp and shrink are the best bet on any vehicle that moves.

Meindert

Reply to this Message

Boeland - 27 Jun 2008 10:14 GMT

>> You will be fine doing that. Solder and heat shrink is the best bet on
>> a boat.
>
> Nope. Crimp and shrink are the best bet on any vehicle that moves.
>
> Meindert

For marine environment do the crimps and the wires need to be tin plated
in order to not corrode?
Boeland

Reply to this Message

Meindert Sprang - 27 Jun 2008 11:14 GMT

> >> You will be fine doing that. Solder and heat shrink is the best bet on
> >> a boat.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> For marine environment do the crimps and the wires need to be tin plated
> in order to not corrode?

That is indeed the best. Marine wire usually is tinned stranded wire.

Meindert

Reply to this Message

Bill Kearney - 27 Jun 2008 23:37 GMT

> You will be fine doing that. Solder and heat shrink is the best bet on
> a boat.

No, that's absolutely incorrect. Solder joints are stiff... too stiff for
the moving environment in a boat. Unless the wire was supported, rigidly,
guaranteeing no movement, the motion of the boat will cause cracking, often
where the wire enters the solder. Once things crack, corrosion follows.
Or, worse yet, sparks jump the gap.

> Second choice would be a butt splice with built in heat shrink
> and dielectric grease in side.

That's the first and ONLY choice. Heat shrink is, of course, a must.

Use decent quality marine-grade crimped connectors and wire.

Reply to this Message

Gene Kearns - 10 Jul 2008 14:14 GMT

|Hi Folks,
|
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
|
|Is it OK to splice these two different gauges of wires together?

Personally, I'd say no.... but that is my preference. Here's what I
mean.... are the wires coming from the battery fused in any way? That
is a concern.... they should be..... close to the battery.

Personally, I like to use a terminal block or fuse block to terminate
the "large wire" at the radio location. This assumes and makes easier
future connections which will inevitably result.... amplifier, depth
finder, VHS radio...... etc.
http://tinyurl.com/6c96a7

Use waterproof crimp ring terminals and a quality crimper.
http://tinyurl.com/6kujfo

|If
|so, what is the best method of doing so? Solder & Heat shrink?
|Crimping?

Never solder any connections that could be subjected to vibration.

Signature

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepage
http://pamandgene.idleplay.net/

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguide
http://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats

Reply to this Message

Boat Forum / Electronics / July 2008

Marine Stereo - Splicing Different Wire Gauges