How to clean up wires

[RussGW270]

I was debating how best to cut the massive extra wires in the electronics box. It is a mess. The VHF antennas are way too long, but I was afraid to mess them up. Is there an easy way to trim those? I have other wires, just have not gotten to them all, so was looking at smaller projects while I wait to work on the bigger ones

R

 

[seasick]

I was debating how best to cut the massive extra wires in the electronics box. It is a mess. The VHF antennas are way too long, but I was afraid to mess them up. Is there an easy way to trim those? I have other wires, just have not gotten to them all, so was looking at smaller projects while I wait to work on the bigger ones

R

the VHF antenna cable is one of the easier ones to shorten but you will need a new connector. You should not try to splice the cable. Connectors come in solderless and solder types. I prefer the solder type but you need to know how to solder wires. Other wires like power cords for electronics should be trimmed and reterminate at the end near where they connect to the power and again not spliced if you can help it. Transducer cable or network cables should never be spliced... Sometimes it is easier to make loops with the excess cable and tie wrap the loop. Then tie wrap to a main bundle that is attached to something solid like the side of the electronics box.

 

[Ky Grady]

Couldn't have said it better. I'm in solder group also. Feel it's a better connection. Blue Seas or Anchor have heat shrink ring terminals and spade connectors. Also when reattaching to fuse block, use some anti corrosion paste, keeps everything playing nice.

 

[Mr.crab]

On VHF no shorter than 6ft to prevent feed back,

 

[Holokai]

seasick got it right. Thankfully there’s some good electrical guy on every boat forum.

My vote is to coil/zip tie the vhf cable unless you’re proficient with soldering. Most of the issues I’ve heard of DIY radio installations going bad were from bad soldering; a nicely coiled and secured cable doesn’t take up much space.

If you’re really into keeping the electronics box near you can find somewhere along the antenna cable run to stash the coiled excess.

And to echo what Ky Grady said, anti-corrosion paste is strongly recommended (should be required in saltwater use unless you’re running completely sealed equipment).

 

[seasick]

On VHF no shorter than 6ft to prevent feed back,

Good point. Appreciated!

 

[seasick]

seasick got it right. Thankfully there’s some good electrical guy on every boat forum.

My vote is to coil/zip tie the vhf cable unless you’re proficient with soldering. Most of the issues I’ve heard of DIY radio installations going bad were from bad soldering; a nicely coiled and secured cable doesn’t take up much space.

If you’re really into keeping the electronics box near you can find somewhere along the antenna cable run to stash the coiled excess.

And to echo what Ky Grady said, anti-corrosion paste is strongly recommended (should be required in saltwater use unless you’re running completely sealed equipment).

I like Boeshield T9 spray.

 

[kirk a]

Neat coils of the extra and a ton of zip ties has worked for me in the past.