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Old 31-03-2008, 19:10   #22
senormechanico
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Whidbey Island WA
Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran
Posts: 1,180
"I ought to have included words of caution from the start - it's not as easy in practice as it is on the screen. You must be fully proficient in the required skills. An inline splice requires technique for overlapping and soldering shields without damaging the insulation of the conductors below. Conductor splices must be staggered, and each length conforming to the overall splice length. The conductors must be twisted together neat, tight and close, and the length still conforming to the overall splice before soldering each. Proper cutters and cutting technique is required to insure that a strand of wire cannot poke into another conductor. One of these splices takes me a couple of hours or more to do - it may be cheaper to buy the cable - when I have to do it, saving $ on the cable is not the reason."

Oh, have I ever been there! (Especially with my current boat)

Nate knows whereof he speaks. A good splice takes a lot of time and concentration.

Steve B.
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