Marine grade wiring

[kingfisher]

Blast !

The nav lights won't work, there's a short in the in-mast cable. The wire is your-standard-household copper wire, which of course has completely corroded.

So I need to replace the wire. And I'm not taking the mast down! So it'll require a trip to the top. If I'm going to replace the wire, might as well do it properly. There seems to be such a thing as marine grade wire. Is this corrosion-proof?

Unfortunately, it also seems to be as rare as polar bears in the Gobi desert. Let me guess: the price will be accordingly.

Does anybody know a place where I can get my hands on 14m of the stuff. I live in Belgium, so preferably an on-line retailer.

Obi-Wan
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[Paulka]

Have a look at :

http://www.indexmarine.co.uk/

I never used them, but have heard about good service.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[pvb]

Tinned copper cable

The best-known brand of tinned copper cable for marine use is Ancor, made in USA. PowerStore in the UK (www.power-store.com) sell Ancor cable. Or you could get it from West Marine, whose catalogue has stacks of info about Ancor cable. Remember to size it adequately to minimise the voltage drop over such a length.

 

[JerryHawkins]

Index are good!

I've used Index Marine on a number of occasions and have always found them helpful and prompt at dispatching goods.

Cheers,

Jerry

 

[dickh]

Yes, try Index Marine, they are OK. Marine grade is usually tinned copper stranded cable with a better quality plastic/PVC covering. You can get similar from an electrical wholesaler but it is not usually stocked and you might have to order it and have a reel - then you'll have plenty for all those other little jobs! As befor size it correctly to minimise voltage drop.

 

[pvb]

Think Index only do tinned cable in big sizes (nm)

 

[kingfisher]

Thanks to all.nm

nm

Obi-Wan
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[Guest]

Re: Think Index only do tinned cable in big sizes (nm)

They list it down to 1.5mm2

Roly, Voya Con Dios, Glasson, Lancaster http://www.voya.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk//MW1/Intropage.htm

 

[pvb]

That\'s correct...

... and that's what I meant. Henk's boat, at 31 ft LOA, probably has a 10watt bulb at the masthead. With a 14m cable run, something like 0.7 sq mm cable would be all that he'd need. The 1.5 sq mm cable you mention is nearly 10mm diameter, and I reckon he'd think that was overkill!

 

[halcyon]

Re: That\'s correct...

Farnell do tinned copper upto 2 sq mm, not classed as marine, but splitting hairs. allways check BS number, may be the same.


Brian

 

[Chris771]

With any kind of wire corrosion over a period of time is almost inevitable if it is left open to ingress of water vapour. Having worked in the Offshore Oil industry with electronic equipment that is regularly submerged to several hundred metres, for many years, keeping water out of the cable is the key to life.

When you install the wire, have it properly sealed passing through a waterproof gland, greased with a little silicon grease before clamping up. Either solder tinning or soaking the bared end of the wire in a solvent based sealant (e.g. 3M Skotchcoat, or possibly even Evostick!) right back to the insulation and then covering that with adhesive heatshrink should keep the moisture out. Provided the wire is screwed into the terminals before the sealant is dry, perfectly adequate electrical connection will be assured. Additional sealing will be provided by use of a high quality adhesive electrical tape (not the 30p a roll from the local market, something like 3M 33 Tape, and coating that with sealant. Cable ends sealed in this manner will operate quite satisfactorily underwater and not suffer corrosion.

If you keep moisture out the type of wire becomes irrelevant.

Regards


Chris