Dirty black rubber mains cable

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Hi David, I must openly admit that I HAVE NOT had the opportunity to use tung oil on old black cable... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

It IS a theory.. but it seems to seal and protect everything, remains flexible too.. I HAVE used it on deck shoes.. leather securing straps, the outboard inside the hood, engine cables for protection from corrosion, the petrol genny all over it - as an anti corrosion, tools.. it even works as a creeping crack cure lol..

May I be tied up ove rthe red ants.. and please dont put bricks in the Custard pies David.. aghhhhh..

Just had 10 days in the UK myself.. capped off the whole expensive bad experience by being happily flown into terminal 5 at heathrow by BA on day 2 of the opening.. missed my connection, expensive hotel.. no comeback..

I nearly kissed the Spanish ground when I got off the plane in LC (eventually !)

Joe.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I nearly kissed the Spanish ground when I got off the plane in LC (eventually !)

[/ QUOTE ] Is there a LC airport now, or was that Santiago de Compostella? Wonderful place, I only visited once, around 30 years ago.
 
Hi David, YES LC has its own airport now..Clickair (Iberia) flys from LC to heathrow everyday.. still got Ryanair from Santiago de Compostela (St James under the field of stars) to Liverpool etc.. but LC is nearer..Sometimes I fly Clickair to Barcelona (Their hub) the BMI to Manchester...

We are getting into the 20th century now lol. !!!

Joe
 
Oi bloody Swagman lol.. dont spoil me thunder...

teak oil (tung oil) is the last of the undiscovered knowledge base that went with alexandria...

The ants dont have TEETH do they David ?? pal... friend... errr... buddy.... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
That's a thought, John, I'll try it on a bit. I have various solvents anyway - IPA, acetone, etc. I suppose they are worth a try though I expected (hoped) to hear a definitive solution to what is a very old problem.
 
A little off subject but...........Joe, I love the new hair do in the avatar! did you get it done on your recent trip to London???? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
As all Jean Auel fans will agree, he looks just like Creb!
 
Y'know... thinking about this I seem to recall having had this problem before... but a long time ago. At the time I put it down to poor quality rubber. I seem to remember there was a problem with the supply of rubber at that time. IIRC I chucked it and got some quality TRS cable.
Cable isn't so expensive .... just how much and of what rating are you talking about here?
 
[ QUOTE ]
IIRC I chucked it and got some quality TRS cable.
Cable isn't so expensive .... just how much and of what rating are you talking about here?

[/ QUOTE ]Thanks for the thought. Around 30m of 2.5mm2 - a pre-made cable to that spec including terminations but excluding postage is £95 from http://www.vdctrading.com/products.asp?SubSectionID=102 and we have no idea of the quality. Buying in Spain is more difficult - generally, locally procured product is considerably inferior to anything you can buy in the UK with a "that'll do" mentality to quality control.

The term "TRS Cable" is new to me - I have googled to no avail. Obviously it has nothing to do with TRS - Tip Ring Sleeve - connectors, so what does it stand for, etc.?

If I can solve the problem for a fiver I will be much happier; we don't throw things out unless they are unserviceable.
 
TRS stands for 'Tough Rubber Sheath'
If you go to the vdc page you cited you'll find they show 16a Ceeform extensions (TRS) which is good stuff. I use to get all my cable from them. They're good...but I must admit, pricey. But that's the labour cost of making up the cable I guess. When I was buying from them my time was too expensive to be sitting down and making up cable. A bit different now!!!
In your situation I'd get the bits and make it up myself. You should easily get the connectors locally, and I'll have a search about for a cable only supplier.
 
Sorry David - I've run out of time to look around just now.
But you might like to have a gander at this thread

http://www.blue-room.org.uk/index.php?showtopic=526

It indicates that Artic cable might be better suited for your purposes and calls into question whether you really need 2.5mm2. If you're connecting with 16a Ceeform then 1.5mm looks like it'll be OK ...and it'll be a lot cheaper...especially in artic cable. And, of course, Artic cable won't suffer from the degradation in the future.
 
Many thanks for that Cliff. Firstly, low volts is the commonest problem in a marina and as year-round liveaboards, we draw 16A for long periods and up to 20A for surges when boiling a kettle (this is within the rating of the continental circuits) so 2.5mm is the most appropriate size. For people not using electricity for heating, and mainly in warmer weather, then 1.5mm would be OK, at least on stiffer supplies.

I've bookmarked that site for the cable you highlighted. Even so, it is £34 plus delivery (haven't checked that out, yet) but we can get cable here in Spain for sure. Mine is top quality rubber-sheathed cable and if I can treat the sheath then that would be great.

We think very carefully before spending a sum like £35 particularly for the replacement of something that isn't actually broken. I think that rola voya's idea of using self-amalgamating tape would be too expensive and tedious to apply - it would also make it unpleasant to handle.

I am in the process of finding a source of red ants in Spain, while finding a source of tung tree oil.
 
Lemain,

If the rubber has broken down, then its structural purpose (to maintain a separation between the volts and your hands) may not be what it should, and no amount of oil or other potion will solve that unless it reconstitutes the physical structural properties of the rubber. And the insulating properties also. I'd go for a new cable, if I were you.

In my workshop I have a 20m length of suitable cable, but that's here in rainy Bilbo and you are in sunny Almerimar. To source good cables locally, try Cartagena, where there is some shipbuilding and repair activity. Ask there who are the professional suppliers -- don't rely on any old shop supplying the domestic trade -- go for someone supplying the yard or industry. That also would apply to Almerimar and Almeria, but I think you would be less likely to find such suppliers in those towns.

Another approach would be to locate in Almerimar or the nearest large town some shop or outlet that is run by a real electrician -- one who earns his daily bread by doing the job properly. He'll be able to source the right cable and have it by next day. Adding a plug and socket to the cable should not be beyond your capabilities, I think !!!!
 
Personally these days I use Artic cable, the sheathing is pretty tough, designed for building site use and comes in 2 colours blue for 230V and yellow for 110V. It retains it's flexibility at very low temperatures.
 
Thanks, everyone, for a superb response to a question that clearly is of interest to many. The rubber has not perished - it is doing its job just fine and problem is probably only microns deep. I am going to buy some tung tree oil because the Cap'n often spouts good stuff, it's the least expensive option, and if it fails, I can use the oil for some wood treatment anyway and the other uses mentioned by Cap'n. If it fails, I will try one of the other suggestions - last of all replacing the cable as that is the most expensive option and least environmentally friendly. I will report back!!
 
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