I have an old 4mm shroud, from which I wish to make a short security strap with an eye at each end. I read that I should not use aluminium ferrules o

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Perplexed

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I have an old 4mm shroud, from which I wish to make a short security strap for my outboard engine with an eye at each end.
I read that I should not use aluminium ferrules on stainless steel wire, due to the risk of corrosion.
There wil be no strain on the cable unless someone tugs at it to nick my outboard engine.

My questions are:---
1. How great is the risk of corrosion?
2. If I used Duralec would this remove/reduce the risk?
3. If I cannot use aluminium ferrules, what could I use. Due to space it would be difficult to use clamp grips effectively.

Many thanks.

Perplexed.
 
Seeing as your mast isn’t going to fall down if it does corrode, I would just use the aluminium if you already have them.

Pete
 
In days gone by when we made our own Electron ladders for caving, we used aluminium ferrules on stainless by the hundreds. I cannot recall a single case of corrosion. In a saltwater environment it might be more significant but in your application salt will tend to be washed off by rain ;)
 
I've known aluminium ferrules on SS wire disappear in 48hrs when immersed in seawater, so I’d always use copper. However, if it’s a no load out of sea water application, although it may get splashed with salt water, aluminium will Ok, for a while, you'll just get the usual white powder corrosion products and over time the ferrules will disintegrate.
Duralec will help but would not eliminate the problem.
 
Hoolie said:
In days gone by when we made our own Electron ladders for caving, we used aluminium ferrules on stainless by the hundreds. I cannot recall a single case of corrosion. In a saltwater environment it might be more significant but in your application salt will tend to be washed off by rain ;)
Click to expand...

When did you last check those 50 year old caving ladders, I assume they're still in your garage? You might get a nasty surprise.

BTW, its Elektron with a "k".
 
Well, it will certainly corrode, and I'd imagine that the pressures involved in swaging will make the use of Durlac or whatever pretty irrelevant. If this is security for your outboard, are you happy that it could get insecure because of corrosion in hidden locations?
 
To add, if the wire is 1x19, 4mm is doable as is 5mm. just. But that is about it. Stuff doesn't like going round corners. OK if a big 'soft' eye, but if using thimbles, then 5mm is practicaly the limit.
 
Use what you have. You are just making your outboard a less desirable target than others' motors. Thieves will not be checking for corrosion and will probably not have sussed that the easy way to cut a swaged cable is to cut through the swage. Cutting the wire is a nightmare. I used exactly what you suggest for ages and still have the cable now which I use to secure a trailer.
 
As others have suggested copper talurit ferrules would be better, the wire corrodes instead but very slowly unless immersed constantly.
 
Thank you all for your thoughts and replies. While I take it that probablyit would not be a great immediate problem with aluminium ferrules it does seem that it would be best to go for the copper. I don't have any ferrules "in stock", so I have to buy which ever way I go....so I can go forthe best solution. And my prayer that Duralec would be the ultimate answer to my problem has been dashed.:LOL:

Once again PBO Forum comes to the rescue of the Perplexed!! Thank you all!! here would I be without you?

John the Perplexed (Or should it be "Join the Perplexed?" :D)
 
You have ben conned.
The perfect solution is not always needed and a security strop under no tension does not require the perfect solution.
 
We had the stainless bolts in our, aluminium, Fortress anchor corrode. I removed them all and replaced with new and used Duralac - no problem since.

So another vote for copper and stainless.

But as has been mentioned you are simply trying to deter theft and a dedicated thief will not be deterred by a wimpy bit of 4mm shroud - he will have bolt croppers down his trouser leg. I suspect simply covering the shroud where you swage with heavy duty plastic tubing will allow you to use whatever swage sleeve you like (or can easily access).

If its a big outboard invest in some of that HT chain used by motorcyclists to secure their bikes - no-one carries bolt croppers large enough to cut the chain and that will also fit down a trouser leg :)

Jonathan
 
penfold said:
O/B thieves carry chainsaws these days and take your transom as well.
Click to expand...

I need to get out more :(

Where do you buy trouser that allow you to carry a chain saw down your leg? :)


I did read, and maybe the marine equivalent of the urban myth, of the observation of large man walking through a marina with a chain saw, removing two expensive winches from the deck of an expensive yacht

Take care, stay safe

Jonathan
 
DownWest said:
To add, if the wire is 1x19, 4mm is doable as is 5mm. just. But that is about it. Stuff doesn't like going round corners. OK if a big 'soft' eye, but if using thimbles, then 5mm is practicaly the limit.
Click to expand...
Downwest...Y.ou are so right...had obtained a couple of thimbles.....Ha Ha!! No way will the wire go round! Back to using soft eyes! Couple of 4mm thimbles now lying, I suppose it isn't even worth thinking about Ebay :) Am larfing at myself.
 
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