DSC connection help
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 208

Recently installed a Raymarine E90W and need to connect the DSC function on my ICom 604 VHF. I know I need to solder two wires from the E90W cable bundle to my VHF NMEA connection but which ones to which? I believe it should be the 2 NMEA Outs and 2 NMEA Ins from the 4800/9600 Baud Device on the E90W to the obvious same connections on the VHF? That simple? Can someone help me out and confirm or tell me what to connect/solder? Is soldering the proper way to do this or is their a connector I should buy to do it?
Pictures below show my equipment connections, E90W is on top in the boxes. VHF connector is the small picture below it. Thanks for any advice!
Pictures below show my equipment connections, E90W is on top in the boxes. VHF connector is the small picture below it. Thanks for any advice!
Last edited by firstbase; 02-22-2012 at 06:25 PM.
#2
Senior Member

Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Palm Coast, Fl.
Posts: 1,424

On the output side of your E90, connect either the white and green or the orange/white and orange/green output wires to your Icom NMEA input wires. On the E90 input side use either the yellow and brown or the orange/yellow and orange/brown wire combination to the ICO NMEA output wires.
#4
Senior Member

Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Palm Coast, Fl.
Posts: 1,424

I solder my connections, but there are a lot of people wo will tell you that's not the best option. Another method I have used only only once are the terminal blocks. Check a really recent post by bluewaterpirate, he's got some great pictures on the job he just did on his boat with these terminal blocks.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 208

Let me dip down to a new level of ignorance.....the wires going from the E90W to the pins in the connector on the VHF, what should I use to connect the wires to the pins? Is there a particular type of connector or do I solder directly to the pin?
Last edited by firstbase; 02-22-2012 at 09:17 PM.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Melbourne, FL
Posts: 2,114

Check out 3M Scotchloks --
http://www.shop3m.com/idc-connectors-and-tools.html
Gel Filled/ Moisture Resistant - Connector Type Butt Splice - Solid Wire Range 26-19 AWG - Max Insulation Dia 0.082 In - Number of Ports 3 - Application Telecommunications - Max Temp -40 to 285 F - Material of Construction Polypropylene
http://www.shop3m.com/idc-connectors-and-tools.html
Gel Filled/ Moisture Resistant - Connector Type Butt Splice - Solid Wire Range 26-19 AWG - Max Insulation Dia 0.082 In - Number of Ports 3 - Application Telecommunications - Max Temp -40 to 285 F - Material of Construction Polypropylene
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 208

No, I don't have any connectors that came with the unit. All I have is the unit which has the 6 pin male connector/socket in the rear. I'm wondering if I should buy a 6 pin cable with a connector and open up the insulation and get the wires out. Use a butt connector to couple with the wire coming from the E90W....not sure I can buy a 6 pin cable but I would guess so? Checked out the 3M Scotchloks but don't see how they would fit inside the connection on the VHF...
#9
Senior Member

Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Palm Coast, Fl.
Posts: 1,424

Check out 3M Scotchloks --
http://www.shop3m.com/idc-connectors-and-tools.html
Gel Filled/ Moisture Resistant - Connector Type Butt Splice - Solid Wire Range 26-19 AWG - Max Insulation Dia 0.082 In - Number of Ports 3 - Application Telecommunications - Max Temp -40 to 285 F - Material of Construction Polypropylene
http://www.shop3m.com/idc-connectors-and-tools.html
Gel Filled/ Moisture Resistant - Connector Type Butt Splice - Solid Wire Range 26-19 AWG - Max Insulation Dia 0.082 In - Number of Ports 3 - Application Telecommunications - Max Temp -40 to 285 F - Material of Construction Polypropylene
#10
Senior Member

Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Palm Coast, Fl.
Posts: 1,424

No, I don't have any connectors that came with the unit. All I have is the unit which has the 6 pin male connector/socket in the rear. I'm wondering if I should buy a 6 pin cable with a connector and open up the insulation and get the wires out. Use a butt connector to couple with the wire coming from the E90W....not sure I can buy a 6 pin cable but I would guess so? Checked out the 3M Scotchloks but don't see how they would fit inside the connection on the VHF...
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 556

The radio should have come with two connectors, a 6-pin and a 3-pin. You must install the cable yourself. You will probably have to get the connector from Icom. Here are some pic's of one that I installed. In lew of a proper connector, you could just use female pins that crimp/solder directly to wires. Place heat shrink over each pin leaving just the open end of the pins uncovered. Manually insert pins over male pins in the receptacle. The spring tension of the female pins is solid enough as long as you secure the wires/cable near the radio so there is no direct tension on the wires. I would not advise trying to solder wires directly to the male pins in the receptacle.
Eric




Eric




