Suggestion on how to properly wire up a new gauge

[CaptainYARRR]

Hey everyone,

One of my gauges broke and unfortunately, Livorsi can't fix the model of gauge I have. So I had to buy this new style that's a plug vs. the current ring terminal. If my connection had just three individual wires going to the gauge, I'd do a butt connection and I'd be done.

My issue is that one of the connections has four wires that would need spliced together. Originally I was thinking I'd just run a small bolt between all the ring connections and cover it in electrical tape. Livorsi said it was a terrible idea, so my question is, what's a clean and safe way to wire this up?

Essentially my issue is needing to splice a plug pigtale in to as many as four wires. Any suggestions? See attached photo. Each post's connections are cable tied together.

 

[poconojoe]

Yeah they are right, don't bolt those ring connectors together. Cut the ring connectors off and use insulated barrel crimps to join the wires. I would also heat shrink over each connection for better protection.

 

[poconojoe]

Like these from iboats:
http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Parts-Ac...ed.1--session_id.287797379&q=crimp connectors
Buy the size that matches your wire size.
Use a crimp tool for best bite. You can buy a cheap pair for like $10.

 

[CaptainYARRR]

I have a bunch of marine barrel crimps. So am I reading that it is legit to bundle a couple connections inside one and join them up that way?

What about these stackable terminals?

http://www.iboats.com/Multi-Stack-C...3965960--session_id.599897132--view_id.132019

 

[poconojoe]

If you need to join two wires together, it's best to use the barrel crimps. It's also called butt splice.
Those stackables are good if you need more than one connection on a male spade blade. They are not meant to splice wires.

 

[CaptainYARRR]

If you need to join two wires together, it's best to use the barrel crimps. It's also called butt splice.
Those stackables are good if you need more than one connection on a male spade blade. They are not meant to splice wires.

Yes that's the reason for the post, I need to join four wires that were previously attached to a single post. Butt connectors are super straightforward, I wish that's what it needed!

 

[mjf55]

If you crimp wire, use the correct tool to do so. Don't use a cheap 10 dollar crimper. See this article by Maine Sail on marine termination. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/wire_termination

 

[poconojoe]

If you crimp wire, use the correct tool to do so. Don't use a cheap 10 dollar crimper. See this article by Maine Sail on marine termination. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/wire_termination

Very informative article.

 

[poconojoe]

How about a terminal block?