How to Make a Ficht Cable

Ficht cables are part of diagnostics kits, measuring a boat's engine functions and computer data. These cables are fundamentally data cables, similar in many ways to a conventional 9-pin computer serial cable. Making your own custom Ficht cable in fact uses a DB-9 computer cable as the starting point.

Things You'll Need

  • DB-9 computer cable
  • Pin extraction tool
  • Wire snips
  • Digital multimeter
  • 18-gauge primary wire
  • 18-gauge connector pins
  • Wire crimp tool
  • Wire strippers
  • WeatherPack four-way connectors
  • DB-9 snap-on shell
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Instructions

    • 1

      Snip the male (pin) end from the DB-9 computer cable with the wire snips. Ensure the end is cut as straight as possible. Strip off 1 inch of insulation from this wire with the strippers.

    • 2

      Examine the end of the DB-9 cable. Make note of the pin orientations. Set your multimeter to "Ohms." Test the end of the wires and connector to find which wires correspond to which hole on the cable's connector.

    • 3

      Cut three 2-inch jumper cables. Strip 1/4 inch of insulation from both ends of each jumper.

    • 4

      Center the connector pins over the ends of the jumper wires. Crimp the upper crimp directly onto the bare wire. Crimp the lower crimp onto the insulation.

    • 5

      Push all the wires from the end of the remaining female DB-9 connector with the pin extractor tool. Leave only the braided/black, green and red wires. Snip the unused remaining wires at the base of the outer jacket.

    • 6

      Push one jumper wire into holes one and four on the DB-9 connector. Push the second into holes four and six. Place the last jumper spanning holes seven and eight.

    • 7

      Crimp a pin connector onto the remaining wires on the stripped end of the DB-9 cable. Push the red wire into slot "D" on theWeatherPack female connector. Follow by connecting the green wire into slot "B," and the braid/black ground wire into slot "C."

    • 8

      Make another 8-inch jumper. Connect this from slot "A" on the female WeatherPack connector to slot "A" on the male connector.

    • 9

      Snap a protective case over the DB-9 end of the new DIY Ficht cable for protection.