Getting to a few years old, my boat is having an occastional electronics glitch that requires me to remove, send for repair, and receive back components.
Naturally the connector, if there is one, is located down a conduit somewhere and won't snake back after the many additions I have made.
It dosn't seem right to cut the wire, then crimp them together again when the components is repaired.
I am writing to ask ... what is the ideal connector to instead insert into the cut in the wire when the component comes back. To me the ideal connector is:
- is very reliable, likely to outlive the life of my boat, say 30 years.
- isn't more than 5x more difficult then just crimping on some butt connectors instead, and does not involve soldering
Dan - For power connections, I strongly recommend 15A Anderson Powerpole connectors. I just started using them in the past month, but already have them on quite a bit of equipment. See: http://www.powerwerx.com or your local Ham Radio Outlet store. If you go this route be sure to follow the ham radio standard so that your connectors are compatible with the available accessories, like the "Watt's Up Meter" (didn't you tell Ben to use those a while back?) and the power splitters. You will need the $40 TRIcrimp tool (yeah, I know, yet another crimp tool) and you should use the "Retention Clips for PP15/30/45 Powerpole Connectors" for permanently installed equipment.
Jon
Other requirements:
- Up to 5 connectors
- works with data (down to 22 AWG), with power wires (up to 14 AWG), and has no problem that one wire may not be insulated (shield)
One nice feature of the Anderson Powerpole system is that you can stack components to make your own unique connector. However, while you could use them for data, the five conductor connector would be a bit bulky and you would have to use a filler with the 22 AWG wire.
I have used all sorts of connectors for lab equipment over the years, often "circular connectors" from AMP or Amphenol. Most of the easy to use connectors are bulky. LEMO makes some very nice small connectors, but assembly will take some effort. I have only used their coax connectors.
NMEA 2000 style connectors are another possibility (but pick a different pin pattern if not N2k!).
I think that this is an open question when it comes to signals and data...
Jon