Sta-lok swageless terminals

[alanwilson]

I'm about to replace my standing rigging, with Sta-lok so I can do it myself and at sea if needed. I've got two authoritative statements about making the terminal up: one says you should 1/2 fill the terminal with sealant eg Life Caulk; the other says you should use no sealant, to allow rain to wash through the terminal occasionally.

Which would people recommend?

 

[pvb]

I'd recommend you follow Sta-Lok's instructions. However, there's no way rain will "wash through" a Sta-Lok terminal.

 

[merlin3688]

Fill the terminal with sealant.

 

[ghostlymoron]

The manufacturer's installation instructions here make no mention of any sealant and I don't see why it would be necessary with all-stainless components.

 

[sailorman]

The manufacturer's installation instructions here make no mention of any sealant and I don't see why it would be necessary with all-stainless components.

well they have changed the spec then

 

[merlin3688]

If you do the terminal up first by hand then undo and check all is good, then a little sealant so when the Sta lok is done up tight the sealant comes out the top and is wiped of with a rag, this seals the fitting, surprised not mentioned by Sta Lok.

 

[vyv_cox]

I'd recommend you follow Sta-Lok's instructions. However, there's no way rain will "wash through" a Sta-Lok terminal.

Agreed, in fact the opposite happens. Water accumulates in the fitting and cannot escape. Some corrosion takes place but in my experience this has never become critical. I have added sealant to mine, which seems to be beneficial.

 

[sailorman]

Agreed, in fact the opposite happens. Water accumulates in the fitting and cannot escape. Some corrosion takes place but in my experience this has never become critical. I have added sealant to mine, which seems to be beneficial.

it should also be of the air curing type

 

[pvb]

If you do the terminal up first by hand then undo and check all is good, then a little sealant so when the Sta lok is done up tight the sealant comes out the top and is wiped of with a rag, this seals the fitting, surprised not mentioned by Sta Lok.

Perhaps it's not mentioned by Sta-Lok because it isn't necessary?

 

[merlin3688]

http://www.sailingservices.com/stalok/SL_assembl_instr.htm

 

[pvb]

http://www.sailingservices.com/stalok/SL_assembl_instr.htm

But those aren't Sta-Lok's instructions! I posted the link earlier to Sta-Lok's own assembly instructions, which make no mention of sealant. I've never used sealant in Sta-Lok fittings, and nothing's collapsed yet.

 

[ean_p]

Has anyone ever heard of one of these terminals failing by 'letting go' of the wire?
is it only me that finds it uncomfortable that there are no torque values suggested when assembling these great bits of kit!

 

[ianabc]

ice

Ice

may expand and fracture terminal

as happened with a circumnavigator

Paul and JaJa Martin

off Iceland

 

[LadyInBed]

Ice may expand and fracture terminal

Another good reason to fill it with sealant.
Mine have sealant in, and when I replaced two cones after shortening the back stays I also put sealant in.

 

[merlin3688]

Funny only talking about this last night and I had an email this morning telling me of a new website for Sta Lok.


Sta-Lok Terminals Launch new website

Sta-Lok Terminals is pleased to announce the launch of their new website.
Experience the new and improved features

· Fully functional live on line shop
· Easy navigation
· Retail prices now visible without registration
· Can be used on mobile devices

See for yourself
www.stalok.com

It looks like you can now buy direct from them, I think in the past you had to be in the trade. I guess its a good starting point on costing a job up, most riggers will offer a little discount!
I have nothing to do with Sta Lok other then using them myself but thought this may be of interest to the members.

 

[pvb]

Funny only talking about this last night and I had an email this morning telling me of a new website for Sta Lok.

Yes, that's the website which has the Sta-Lok instructions I linked to earlier!

See http://www.stalok.com/t-stalokterminalinstructions.aspx

 

[wotayottie]

The manufacturer's installation instructions here make no mention of any sealant and I don't see why it would be necessary with all-stainless components.

Because if stainless steel sits in stangnant air free water for an longish time, it will corrode every bit as badly as mild steel. That said I have used staloks several times, never sealed them and never had a problem.

To the OP - make up a new terminal at sea? Easy

 

[alanwilson]

Opinion seems to be about evenly divided on whether to fill or not to fill (that is the question). I've asked Sta-lok themselves & will pass on their reply.

 

[savageseadog]

The instructions I read many years ago said to use a sealer. I was advised by people and/or seemed to be common knowledge that silicone rubber type sealer shouldn't be used. Ihe explanation I got was that there were acids in it and queried no further, I never thought to use anything other than a PU tpe sealer such as Sikaflex.

I've undone a number of Stalok terminals and I found that ones without sealer were corroded and those made with sealer were fine. I wouldn't say that strength was compromised.

 

[alanwilson]

From the horse's mouth: Sta-lok say, regarding filling the terminal with sealant:

"You are welcome to do either, Sta-lok has no defined answer. It really is down to the riggers preference.

But you are quite right about acid content. This will attack the stainless steel. Using a product with no acid will be fine."

Some (usually cheaper) silicone sealants release acetic acid as they cure ("acid curing"): they smell strongly of vinegar and should not be used. Other (usually more expensive) silicone sealants do not release any acid ("neutral curing") and are fine, as are polyurethane sealants such as Sikaflex.

I'm tempted to use sealant, especially given a previous post regarding failure due to water freezing in the terminal & expanding: sailing to Iceland & possibly Greenland next year so that might be an issue. Might even be an issue in the UK: winter's coming...