View Full Version : Is 18 gauge wire OK for running NMEA signals?
From Lowrance PC-21X power cords (and equivalents) to similar cords, or NDC-4 cords, is 18 gauge wire adequate?
If 16 gauge is OK to run power, I would think that 18 is OK for just the NMEA signals?
Anyone know?
Thanks!
signal
05-16-2009, 11:03 AM
That would be adequate. They are low voltage communications that don't require heavy gauge wire. 18 is more than plenty, but easier to work on than some of the smaller gauge wires you could use.
skeeter 1880
05-16-2009, 03:02 PM
I have uses 24ga telephone wire for many years and just put it between my new 27 and 37 and it works fine.
Just picked up some 20 gauge to try.
Never thought of 24g telephone wire, though. Might give it a try if there's a next time.
I guess with rigging, there's always a next time.
1880: where did you wire the "tinsel-thin" ground for the NMEA cluster?
And forgot to ask; how did you connect the transmit and receive wires? Did you use butt connectors, or M-F spades, or twisted-wires with solder and shrink-tubing, or ??? If it's a very low strength signal, is there a connection method that doesn't degrade/attenuate the signal unduly?
Or is this even a concern?
Thanks for all the help, everyone!