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Wiring sonar to battery #12521896 12/01/17 01:46 AM
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chas1 Offline OP
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I’m in the process of hooking up my helix, is the best way to join the wires is to solder ,liquid tape, and then crimp or shrink tubing ?


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Re: Wiring sonar to battery [Re: chas1] #12521907 12/01/17 01:50 AM
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If joining/splicing wires then twist, solder and heat shrink is probably best. I also like the weatherproof heat shrink crimp butt connectors.


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Re: Wiring sonar to battery [Re: chas1] #12521995 12/01/17 02:24 AM
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I heard one guy putting silicone over the wires before he heated the shrinkwrap so water could not go up in the wires.


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Re: Wiring sonar to battery [Re: chas1] #12523096 12/01/17 08:23 PM
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Crimp and shrink tube is fine. Make sure you use an in line fuse.


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Re: Wiring sonar to battery [Re: chas1] #12523615 12/02/17 03:38 AM
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Marine grade adhesive lined heat shrink crimp connectors. Once heated and sealed, impervious to moisture

Re: Wiring sonar to battery [Re: chas1] #12523646 12/02/17 03:53 AM
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someone have a pic.Very Interested

Re: Wiring sonar to battery [Re: chas1] #12524891 12/03/17 04:49 AM
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NAPA usually carries them. Marine grade adhesive heat shrink crimp connections. Its where I got all of mine. More expensive but cures a lot of future problems. Easy to spend a little more to eliminate annoying problems.


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Re: Wiring sonar to battery [Re: Stump jumper] #12525008 12/03/17 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted By: Stump jumper
If joining/splicing wires then twist, solder and heat shrink is probably best. I also like the weatherproof heat shrink crimp butt connectors.


You'd probably be wrong about the solder approach. I'll give you an example about critical applications where vibration/shock can be an issue. Very little installed wiring on aircraft is soldered! In some cases I've seen, the only approved method aboard an aircraft is crimped connections. I prefer and use crimp connectors and butt splices with adhesive (weathertight) shrink tubing. In 25+ years and multiple boats, I've never had a connection I made become an issue.

Last edited by Flippin-Out; 12/03/17 11:57 AM.
Re: Wiring sonar to battery [Re: coachallentca] #12525011 12/03/17 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted By: coachallentca
someone have a pic.Very Interested


I buy most of my electrical wire and interconnect components from this place (which has true free shipping even for small orders):

Genuine Dealz

Under "Shop By/Category/Wire Connectors/Heat Shrink Connectors" you can see what we are talking about. After making the crimp, you heat the shrink tubing with a heat gun briefly to shrink it in place. The adhesive lining melts to fill the voids and seal the connection from the elements. They work great!

Re: Wiring sonar to battery [Re: Flippin-Out] #12525535 12/03/17 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted By: Flippin-Out
Originally Posted By: Stump jumper
If joining/splicing wires then twist, solder and heat shrink is probably best. I also like the weatherproof heat shrink crimp butt connectors.


You'd probably be wrong about the solder approach. I'll give you an example about critical applications where vibration/shock can be an issue. Very little installed wiring on aircraft is soldered! In some cases I've seen, the only approved method aboard an aircraft is crimped connections. I prefer and use crimp connectors and butt splices with adhesive (weathertight) shrink tubing. In 25+ years and multiple boats, I've never had a connection I made become an issue.
with the 42cagillion solder points on all the boards inside the electronics on a plane....what is one more gonna hurt? Haha.

I personally solder everything I wire into the cars I build. I can count on one hand how many times I've had a cold joint give me issues. And that was many years ago when I was still kinda learning. I can't, however, count the times a failed crimp connection was the fault. Too numerous to keep track of. The issue with a crimp is it destroys the integrity of the copper when it's crushed. They joint will fail, it's just a matter of time.


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Re: Wiring sonar to battery [Re: chas1] #12525793 12/04/17 02:38 AM
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Steez, the gazillion solder joints on PCBs are made with components anchored to the board by multiple joints; there is no part that can move with respect to the other part. The issue is with wiring conductors that can flex at the point where the solder makes them rigid. This concentrates a point of repeated motion that can eventually result in conductor failure adjacent to the joint, not the joint itself.

Re: Wiring sonar to battery [Re: chas1] #12525826 12/04/17 03:11 AM
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ABYC states soldered connections are not permitted when that is the only means of making a mechanical connection. Unfortunately, very few boat owners even know what ABYC is.


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Re: Wiring sonar to battery [Re: chas1] #12525833 12/04/17 03:16 AM
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I know what the ABYC is (as I worked with saltwater boats much larger than our bass boats). However, is there something amiss about your statement? How can a solder connection be not permitted when it is the only means of making a mechanical connection? Does that mean the connection can't be made at all?

Re: Wiring sonar to battery [Re: chas1] #12526380 12/04/17 05:34 PM
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Can I wire two helix 10 units to one set of wires going to the battery,Rather than having to run
two separate sets of wires to the battery


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Re: Wiring sonar to battery [Re: chas1] #12526411 12/04/17 05:49 PM
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You most certainly can, but there are some necessary rules and appropriate practices to follow for it to work correctly (and flawlessly). You can put any number of electronic devices on the same "power bus" to the battery if the wire and fuse (at the battery) are sized correctly.

To connect 2 units, your power distribution will have THREE fuses:

One for each Helix unit. Fuse-holders with a low amp fuse (3A?) probably came with each Helix, so two fuses there. Each of these goes on the + power cable for a unit, and should be what you actually attach to the + power wire going to the battery.

You also need a fuse at the end of the + power wire where it attaches to the battery. You'll need to buy a fuseholder for this. This is a safety item to prevent a power wiring short from starting a fire. It's size is dictated by the wire size, but can be less if the load is low.

I like to use 10 gauge wire on mine, but I'm an overkill kinda guy. Using 12 gauge marine grade wire will be just fine for your setup. A 10 amp fuse in the fuseholder at the battery on the + power wire provides adequate safely and would allow other devices later. I suggest this be a medium/heavy grade fuse-holder to get the stouter wire for mechanical durability in the battery compartment. [A flimsy fuse-holder could get ripped loose accidentally.]

You should order marine grade wire online (rarely available locally) along with a durable fuse-holder adequate for a 10A fuse that's made with marine grade wire. Using untinned copper wiring (auto parts store) on a boat is a no-no if following best practices for a trouble-free life.

Last edited by Flippin-Out; 12/04/17 05:52 PM.
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