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SAWDOC
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Reged: 24/02/2008
Posts: 142
We know that electrical deck fittings give trouble...
      #1849713 - 07/05/2008 01:43

however i was apalled to see the state of the wiring which connected to deck fitting leading to my masthead light. Having noted a 10v reading on my meter, i suspected that corrosion of the electrical cable had affected the integrity of the wiring. On removing the two pin deck fitting the severely corroded blackened stiff wire ends were visible - the obvious cause of the voltage drop. Is there any marine grade electrical cable or is this an inevitable consequence of deck fitings on an ocean going yacht? Any other tips on renewal?

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Sixpence
regular


Reged: 24/08/2005
Posts: 18873
Loc: Gone Fishing or Out Sailing
Re: We know that electrical deck fittings give trouble... [Re: SAWDOC]
      #1849717 - 07/05/2008 01:48

http://apexwires.com/advantage-tin-coated-copper-wire.html

--------------------
Not happy with e bay or other sites ? click here
Want to learn about sailing ?, click here

BLESSED ARE THE CRACKED FOR THEY ARE THE ONES WHO LET IN THE LIGHT!


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sarabande
regular


Reged: 06/05/2005
Posts: 5363
Loc: Thames valley, or up on the mo...
Re: We know that electrical deck fittings give trouble... [Re: Sixpence]
      #1849725 - 07/05/2008 03:07

Their site seems to be frozen in an early stage of development, so much so that I can't find their address.....

The only other people I can think of are Merlin Equipment
http://www.power-store.com/?id=65

--------------------
Enlightenment is motor-sailing


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whipper_snapper
regular


Reged: 09/08/2006
Posts: 1418
Loc: Kenya
Re: We know that electrical deck fittings give trouble... [Re: SAWDOC]
      #1849742 - 07/05/2008 06:01

Quote:

Any other tips on renewal?




When you replace the wire, move the plug/connector to below decks. Pass the wire from the mast - plug and all - through a deck gland. If you do that, you can even get away with 'bullet' type push connectors below deck. Deck plugs always cause grief.


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RestlessL
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Reged: 06/04/2007
Posts: 349
Loc: Solent
Re: We know that electrical deck fittings give trouble... [Re: whipper_snapper]
      #1849759 - 07/05/2008 07:22

My preference is to use a mush-room feed-thru like this . Keeps the cable flat on the deck, and less likely to be kicked.

John

Edited by RestlessL (07/05/2008 07:23)


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AngusMcDoon
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Reged: 20/10/2004
Posts: 597
Loc: kerbie
Re: We know that electrical deck fittings give trouble... [Re: SAWDOC]
      #1849776 - 07/05/2008 08:03

The standard deck connectors found in chandlers are rubbish and only last a year or two. The only ones I have found at a reasonable size and price that work are made by a German company called Binder...

Binder Connectors

Series 692 are suitable. The problem is then finding a retailer that will sell you a small number. Compass Watersports have a measly small selection, for example...

Binder connector at Compass

Using these with a yearly vaseline application, and a folded-over full length rubber boot over the whole lot, I've got nearly 10 years out of them now with no problems. The deck of a Dragonfly might not see oceans, but it is a pretty wet place all the same.


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Gordonmc
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Reged: 19/09/2001
Posts: 1543
Loc: h Riddon
Re: We know that electrical deck fittings give trouble... [Re: SAWDOC]
      #1849928 - 07/05/2008 10:04

I had similar problems on my wooden boat, compounded by the fact water not only got into the cable joints, but also into the deckhead.
When I cut out the sponge and graved in new wood I was determined not to replace the glands but get something better:

The KISS rule applies. As well as an added bit of ventilation it means I can have an uninterrupted run of cable from masthead to the instrument panel and VHF. The next time the mast is stepped I just pull the cables through.


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Freestyle
regular


Reged: 13/06/2004
Posts: 1083
Loc: Anglesey
Re: We know that electrical deck fittings give trouble... [Re: SAWDOC]
      #1849940 - 07/05/2008 10:12

Quote:

Any other tips on renewal?


Firstly, and very obviously, don't remove the old wiring until you have its replacement ready, because you'll need it to pull the new wiring through.

Secondly, while you may get away with taping the new to the old, for a stronger and lower profile temporary join, clean the black off the ends of the old wire and solder it to the bared ends of the new. (Edit: Er, and don't do what I did and forget to disconnect the affected wiring from anything live - I managed to blow a relay - replacement cost £12,00)

Edit: note that the blackening may extend a long way along your old wire - I have had to replace entire runs of internal wiring on Freestyle wherever there has been a junction below floor level. Presumably at some stage the junctions have been immersed in water because it has clearly tracked along under the insulation, uphill (by capillary action). I am now such a devotee of soldered junctions protected by heat shrink tubing that Freestyle never goes anywhere without her 12v soldering iron.



Edited by Freestyle (07/05/2008 10:29)


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whipper_snapper
regular


Reged: 09/08/2006
Posts: 1418
Loc: Kenya
Re: We know that electrical deck fittings give trouble... [Re: Gordonmc]
      #1850053 - 07/05/2008 11:56

Quote:

I was determined not to replace the glands but get something better:





I think you are using 'gland' to mean plug-socket. A gland means that you can have an uninterrupted cable run. And the object in your picture is a gland, although not the more common tapered rubber plug variety.

(not trying to be pedantic - just hoping to avoid confusion)


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awol
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Reged: 04/01/2005
Posts: 857
Loc: Me Edinburgh, Boat Port Edgar
Re: We know that electrical deck fittings give trouble... [Re: SAWDOC]
      #1850082 - 07/05/2008 12:23

Get a keel-stepped mast?

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