small wires

[waltpm]

I just installed a new radio and want to hook it up with my GPS. The wires are very small diameter, much less than the 18-20 ga. that is sold in the marine stores. What is the best way to join these wires. Never saw a wire nut small enough. Any other choice other than soldering?

[kmclemore]

What is the best way to join these wires. Never saw a wire nut small enough. Any other choice other than soldering?

Solder them. I've always thought that wire nuts are a bad idea on a boat - if the vibration doesn't undo them, the corrosion will. And a crimp-fastener won't work on those little wires, either. Besides, by soldering them, you'll reinforce the thin wire and help prevent breakage later on - make sure the thin wires are tinned right up to their insulation.

[Hardcrab]

We routinely crimp splice wires as small as 26 AWG on aircraft, but not with the stuff you will find at WM or Radio Shack.
kmclemore is right, twist first, then solder them, IMHO.
If you've never soldered wires, it's not difficult.
A cheap 25 watt iron and lead/tin solder from Rat Shack with some practice will get you there.

[Matt19020]

I would solder them also however if this is not a option then you may get lucky if you find the proper size crimps and connectors. You can try Radio Shack they are pretty good with small electrical parts (you may even try telephone connectors if they are really that small) however they are not marine rated so you may want to silicone or use silicone tape to seal the connection.

[kmclemore]

The problem with crimping such small wires is that although the crimp may work fine, the problem is that the weight of that connector and it's associated wire will eventually, by virtue of flexing and vibration, cause the small section of wire outside that crimp to fracture, one thread at a time, gradually increasing the resistance in that circuit and giving you fits trying to figure out what's going wrong... until it finally fails altogether. BTDT.

[waltpm]

Thanks for the advice, I will go ahead and solder the wires. Do you ever put connectors in the line so you can pull out the equipment without having to cut the lines. If so where do you get the connectors?

[kmclemore]

Thanks for the advice, I will go ahead and solder the wires. Do you ever put connectors in the line so you can pull out the equipment without having to cut the lines. If so where do you get the connectors?

In general, I try to introduce as few connections as possible, to reduce resistance in the line as well as sources of corrosion & failure. But if I needed to make a piece of equipment removable, and the equipment itself had no way of being disconnected (screw terminals, plugs, etc.) then I'd put in a terminal strip and connect the leads to that with firmly soldered & screwed junctions.

[Oskar 26M]

"Liquid electrical tape" is great for insulating and corrosion-proofing soldered wire junctions. It can also be used to build a grommet to reduce chafing or to coat other junction points. I got a 100 ml can for a bit under AU$20.00. It goes a long way and keeps well. I got mine from a boating shop but some auto-electricians also use it.

[waltpm]

It's funny that I never thought of a terminal strip, as I have them in other places on the boat. It will work very well in this particular place.

[baldbaby2000]

I'd get some heat shrink to slide on the wires before you solder them. Then slide them back over the conection and shrink them up.

[James V]

You can also use small bolts, washers and nuts. Just put the liquit electrical tape on.

Go to a ham radio shop and see what they have and recommend. You can also check the site of the maker of the radio and ask a question to them.

The wires are small because they do not carry any amps.