Wiring Volvo Penta diesel panel ... need help!

[piperca]

I am wiring the gauges from a pair of VP diesel panels into the existing dash on my boat. I need to extend the factory wiring approximately 3 feet from the ignition to the gauges. I have been on Volvo Penta's website looking for the appropriate connectors for the project; however, they have different sizes of spade connectors and I'm not sure which ones I need. I am using this web page: Electrical Materials AD31L-A, AD31P-A, AD41L-A, AD41P-A, D41L-A, TAMD31L-A, TAMD31M-A, TAMD31P-A, TAMD31S-A, TAMD41H-A, TAMD41H-B, TAMD41P-A, TAMD41L-A, TMD31L-A, TMD41L-A - 1964 - 7742700 - Volvo Penta

Does anyone know what the difference is between the connectors listed in item 1 and item 4?

Here is a photograph of the new ignition panel I constructed:



I'd like to run an extension from the original terminal blocks that were attached to the back of the gauges. I was going to use duplicate terminal blocks at the back of the gauge to keep things consistent. The problem I'm having is identifying the correct size connector to make the extension cables work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: Wiring Volvo Penta diesel panel ... need help!

Have you checked with your local Volvo Penta dealer? There are extension cables available for what you are doing.
Exactly what engine do you have, full model number or serial number would help.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Wiring Volvo Penta diesel panel ... need help!

They are insulated male / female connectors that crimp to the wire and are removable if you plan on disconnecting . Insulated butt splices to lengthen your run would have to be cut or unwire from your instraments for you to remove.

 

[piperca]

Re: Wiring Volvo Penta diesel panel ... need help!

The engines are Volvo Penta 31P-As and the drives are DP-Es. I did check with the dealer and he said the harnesses are no longer available.

I am aware that I can cut and splice, but I would have preferred to make extension harnesses to each of the gauges. I was hoping someone would be able to help me decipher the parts on Volvo's website. The dealer has no further information than is posted on the site.

 

[angus63]

Re: Wiring Volvo Penta diesel panel ... need help!

I have modified a Mako CC to a bow controls bay boat for dredging. One wire at a time with butt connectors with integrated shrink tubing for a 10' extension of the entire harness. Very time consuming and tedious.
I am only providing an educated guess, but Item 1 looks like a common female spade terminal end and Item 4 is the male spade terminal end. I have been disappointed alot from judging from sketches in parts books.
PS- my extension was so long I was tempted to up the wire gage size but decided it was too much trouble. Worked for 4 seasons before the transom gave out from straining while dredging. Sistered an aluminum plate and got two more seasons before the scrap heap.
Good luck!

 

[piperca]

Re: Wiring Volvo Penta diesel panel ... need help!

Angus, I have been tossing around the same idea. A bag of heat shrink male/female disconnects and some 18awg wire. It looks like the way to go, thanks!

 

[piperca]

Re: Wiring Volvo Penta diesel panel ... need help!

I did locate part number 873579, which appears to be the harness I may need, but without having it in hand it's impossible to say. If it wasn't that they are $250 each, I'd go out on a limb and order them. Does anyone have any experience with that particular part. I think it replaces the harness that is provided with the gauge panel, so that the instruments can be mounted separately. My question is, how far apart can the instruments be? It would be a bit of a pain to get the harness and find out that I had to splice longer wires to fit my needs.

 

[piperca]

Re: Wiring Volvo Penta diesel panel ... need help!

Well, after a day of pondering, I'm just going to splice in longer wires ... 8 each for each set of gauges. I am going to use a soldered joint covered with shrink tubing, but I have one question. The existing wiring looks to be around 22 awg ... pretty small stuff! I have a few rolls of 16 awg that is left over from my rewire project. Would there be any negative in splicing approximately 4 feet of 16 into the system? I couldn't think of any, but I'm no electrician.

 

[angus63]

Re: Wiring Volvo Penta diesel panel ... need help!

If none of the wires are resistance dependent (like speakers, transducers, etc..) and you are not near the max rating for 22 gage, then you should be ok. The only concern I have is accommodating the difference in size using butt connectors without the 22 gage potentially shaking loose.

 

[piperca]

Re: Wiring Volvo Penta diesel panel ... need help!

The job is done! I consulted with my son, who is an Aegis Fire Controlman in the Navy (electronics based). He was able to lead me in the right direction.

The gauge panel consisted of a pair of each: volt, oil pressure, water temperature and tachometer. Turns out the existing wiring is 18 awg not 22 awg. I used 16 awg to splice in a 5' extension to 9 wires within the system. The joints were fluxed, soldered, coated in liquid electrical tape and then sealed with shrink tubing. I checked each of the solder joints for resistance, which was almost nonexistent. According to my son, upping the wire gauge should negate any resistance at the solder joint.

The wiring is located in the flybridge and will never get wet and the solder joints will be well supported and should suffer no ill effects from vibration.

Thanks to those who provided input, I really appreciate it.