skodster
Well-Known Member
How do I get a wire from the top to the exit on my mast? 
My Inerga Puma 23
Awaiting a dry day for paint...
My Inerga Puma 23
Awaiting a dry day for paint...
Last edited:
Getting wire's down the inside of the mast...
- Thread starter skodster
- Start date
MrCramp
Well-Known Member
Either push a length of fence wire through and then pull all the wires through together or pull enough cords through so you do the wires seperately
Or tie some thin cord to a weight, inset at the top of the mast, raise the top so the weight falls through to the bottom.
Or tie some thin cord to a weight, inset at the top of the mast, raise the top so the weight falls through to the bottom.
Billjratt
Well-Known Member
Depends on what's there already, and what the top and exit look like...
A new wire or line obviously requires holes or sheaves - so what's happening? a new aerial maybe?
Assuming you've got a hole at the top and the bottom (and the mast is stepped) a light strong line like fishing twine could be tied to the pin of a shackle and dropped down from the top of the mast and fished out of the bottom using a bent piece of wire. The final wire or halyard can then be attached and pulled through (that could mean up or down depending on what's easiest). Unfortuntely, the more things you've already got, the more likely you are to get a jam somewhere inside the mast - this requires patience, but will work eventually.
If you already have rope/cable going through your intended route, use it as the mouse to pull the new item and a backhaul through, then use the backhaul to re-instate the original unit.
Edit--- Looks like the mast might be on the floor now I see a pic. Try a capshroud to push the mouse-line up inside the mast.
A new wire or line obviously requires holes or sheaves - so what's happening? a new aerial maybe?
Assuming you've got a hole at the top and the bottom (and the mast is stepped) a light strong line like fishing twine could be tied to the pin of a shackle and dropped down from the top of the mast and fished out of the bottom using a bent piece of wire. The final wire or halyard can then be attached and pulled through (that could mean up or down depending on what's easiest). Unfortuntely, the more things you've already got, the more likely you are to get a jam somewhere inside the mast - this requires patience, but will work eventually.
If you already have rope/cable going through your intended route, use it as the mouse to pull the new item and a backhaul through, then use the backhaul to re-instate the original unit.
Edit--- Looks like the mast might be on the floor now I see a pic. Try a capshroud to push the mouse-line up inside the mast.
Last edited:
skodster
Well-Known Member
I need to fit an aerial and mast head light. There is nothing there at the moment.
Snowman
New Member
tie a piece of fishing wire to the elec wire with weights insert from top and fish the wire at bottom with a piece of hooked wire - pretty easy if done before
doug748
Well-Known Member
The mast looks new?
However, no matter. If there is no internal conduit consider fitting a length of 1" round water pipe to the inside to contain your wires. This helps to stifle the death rattle when at anchor.
With care, and a lot of swearing, you can pop rivet about every couple of feet to secure it. You can then pull the lot through (as MrCramp said) with a length of rigging wire or similar.
If you are not drawn to this idea, then gripping the wires every foot with stout cable ties, the ends left long, will help do a similar job. If you just lead the things up the mast it will drive you nuts.
However, no matter. If there is no internal conduit consider fitting a length of 1" round water pipe to the inside to contain your wires. This helps to stifle the death rattle when at anchor.
With care, and a lot of swearing, you can pop rivet about every couple of feet to secure it. You can then pull the lot through (as MrCramp said) with a length of rigging wire or similar.
If you are not drawn to this idea, then gripping the wires every foot with stout cable ties, the ends left long, will help do a similar job. If you just lead the things up the mast it will drive you nuts.
MrCramp
Well-Known Member
As doug says, I put cable ties every foot around the cables pointing in different directions. The foot will normally come off the mast by drilling out the rivets. Make sure you use monel rivets (from any decent chandlery), not alooy ones from the car-spares shop.
skodster
Well-Known Member
Are S/S rivets OK?
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Any other metal can cause the aluminium to corrode. Use Monel as specified, and lots of Duralac paste
nigelmercier
RIP
- Joined
- 20 Jun 2007
- Messages
- 16,234
- Location
- Live in Kent, boat in Canary Islands
I have a trick for getting wires down a conduit, it may or may not work for you as it depends on the internal profile. Tie a small bundle of rag to the end of a thin line, such that the bundle is a loose fit in the conduit. Attach a vacuum cleaner to the other end, and suck the line through.
Like the sig BTW, but not the apostrophe in the title
Last edited:
lukecsmith
Well-Known Member
That is a stroke of genius. Surely the winning entry so far?
pyrojames
Well-Known Member
I use this (http://www.screwfix.com/p/cable-flex-draw-tape/75807) flexible nylon "rod" which you can push through, connect your wire/halyard and pull back.
agurney
Well-Known Member
I have a trick for getting wires down a conduit, it may or may not work for you as it depends on the internal profile. Tie a small bundle of rag to the end of a thin line, such that the bundle is a loose fit in the conduit. Attach a vacuum cleaner to the other end, and suck the line through.
Like the sig BTW, but not the apostrophe in the title
I tie a drill bit to a length of twine and drag it through with a strong magnet from the outside. Also works for a headsail foil.
Seadawg33
Well-Known Member
+1 on the vaccum. I have used this technique to pull a tracer wire thru a 3" conduit for 250' works well. If the mast is standing I use a piece of ferrous chain attached to a string and feed that down the mast. When the chain gets near the exit block you can hear it rattling then I put a magnet in the exit hole and draw out the chain. Chain works well because it is flexible. In a pinch I used a hacksaw blade and it worked well.
Any tips on how to rivet the conduit to the mast?
Any tips on how to rivet the conduit to the mast?
pyrojames
Well-Known Member
I drilled two holes about an inch apart round the circumference of the mast, but close to the sail track at the aft edge. I had a pair of holes roughly every foot. I formed a hook out of 4mm stainless rod, to hook the conduit in hard against the hole close to the track. You can then pop rivet the conduit into place. I put a seond rivet in the adjacent hole to finish it off.
BAtoo
Well-Known Member
Tilt mast (? access through bedroom window); weighted line
or
Use length of rigging wire to push line down.
Re internal conduit - some masts (both my Benes have anyway) have a moulded T-section on the inside which will accept a section of conduit with a longitudinal slit along it that can be pushed up. (never tried it myself though).
or
Use length of rigging wire to push line down.
Re internal conduit - some masts (both my Benes have anyway) have a moulded T-section on the inside which will accept a section of conduit with a longitudinal slit along it that can be pushed up. (never tried it myself though).
doug748
Well-Known Member
Cut the pipe to a foot or so short at each end and choose in which area of the mast you intend to lodge it. Alongside the internal section of the luff groove is a good choice, as it helps fix the position of the tube and makes it easy to judge just where the holes should be drilled in order to meet the tube at the point where it touches the mast.
Drill a series of holes for your rivets. Take care to make sure you place holes at those points where you have access, for example sheeve boxes, rigging points, perhaps at the spreaders or the steaming light. This allows you to poke a stout wire or stick against the tube so you can support it for drilling.
There is sure to be at least one long length where there is no access at all. A long stout piece of square timber has to be inserted and can be joggled into postion to allow you to do your drilling. Work from the middle outwards; drill then rivet, then move on. Extra long rivets are a help. I have found it works to use a suitable length of wire heated red hot to pierce the holes instead of drilling - I also like to imagine that this makes the joint stronger.
davidwf
Well-Known Member
If that is a Zspars mast they have a split conduit pushed over a T section. They normally come with a mouse already fitted for the mast head electrics, however if not.
To get wires into the conduit it take foot and possibly Head off mast, head is normally easier although you may need to take both off as the conduit is often in two pieces. Ignore conduit and push wire down mast, then draw conduit out of the mast altogether then push it back on the T section gathering up the wires as you go. To do this tie some string on the end of the wire and feed into the split conduit so you can hold it as you push the conduit back over the T secion.
Difficult to describe but easy to do, a bit of silicon helps lubricate the conduit as it goes back in.
Selden easier as on the masts I've seen they have a cover in the slide grove that covers the conduit.
To get wires into the conduit it take foot and possibly Head off mast, head is normally easier although you may need to take both off as the conduit is often in two pieces. Ignore conduit and push wire down mast, then draw conduit out of the mast altogether then push it back on the T section gathering up the wires as you go. To do this tie some string on the end of the wire and feed into the split conduit so you can hold it as you push the conduit back over the T secion.
Difficult to describe but easy to do, a bit of silicon helps lubricate the conduit as it goes back in.
Selden easier as on the masts I've seen they have a cover in the slide grove that covers the conduit.
doug748
Well-Known Member
That is the best answer of all. Easy to put new stuff in and take old stuff out, plus nice and quiet.
MaranaF
Member
Mouse
All great answers but may I add...
Ats all down to the mouse. Get one in and the rest is easy. A mouse is a length of string that runs the route you want the wires to take. You can use the mouse to pull through th cable but don't forget to pull another mouse through with it as you will need that to get the next wire through.
In the end you should have all your wires in and a spare mouse ( for the wire you forgot).
As for getting the first mouse through it does depend what way up the mast is and any of the above ideas will work. My preferred way is to use my elecrocians mousing poles but most people won't have them so a stiff piece of wire assuming here are no blockages in the conduit.
If there isn't a conduit I will make up the bundle of cables to go in the mast and sew up a sleeve or tube of sail cloth, put the cables in the sleeve and pull the lot through. This will protect the cables form chafing and stop them making to much noise if they slap the inside of the mast section. It also keeps the weight down!
Never remove the shoe if I can help it and always make sure that the cables are clipped down where they emerge at the top or spreader to take the strain and weight of the cable off the thing it is plugged in to.
Lastly bung up the holes you make in the mast with silicone to stop water getting inside the mast and stop the cable chafing at the exit. Use silicone as you can get it out if you need to later.
All great answers but may I add...
Ats all down to the mouse. Get one in and the rest is easy. A mouse is a length of string that runs the route you want the wires to take. You can use the mouse to pull through th cable but don't forget to pull another mouse through with it as you will need that to get the next wire through.
In the end you should have all your wires in and a spare mouse ( for the wire you forgot).
As for getting the first mouse through it does depend what way up the mast is and any of the above ideas will work. My preferred way is to use my elecrocians mousing poles but most people won't have them so a stiff piece of wire assuming here are no blockages in the conduit.
If there isn't a conduit I will make up the bundle of cables to go in the mast and sew up a sleeve or tube of sail cloth, put the cables in the sleeve and pull the lot through. This will protect the cables form chafing and stop them making to much noise if they slap the inside of the mast section. It also keeps the weight down!
Never remove the shoe if I can help it and always make sure that the cables are clipped down where they emerge at the top or spreader to take the strain and weight of the cable off the thing it is plugged in to.
Lastly bung up the holes you make in the mast with silicone to stop water getting inside the mast and stop the cable chafing at the exit. Use silicone as you can get it out if you need to later.
