Mast wire seals

Mark.Wilme · Post by **Mark.Wilme** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:36 pm

I have a row of 4 of those "cable clams" or whatever they are called in front of the mast step for the wires to pass through the deck to connectors below - well they leak, a) because some of the rubber grommets are worn and b) because some of the wires that go through are oval, or at least not round so they don't provide a good seal. Right now I have them duck-taped (yuk)

I saw what Tim did on Glissando but I am not sure I want to be going to that extent.

I was wondering if I could take something like this

and then use regular heat seal wire stuff to get a solid connection onto the wire and the top of the bellows (bottom of the picture) and then stretch the bottom of the bellows (top of the picture) thing over the cable clam.

any opinions ?

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 12:20 am

Your mast is deck-stepped?

Yeah, I think your idea should work pretty well, as long as you get the GOOD heat-shrink tubing with the adhesive inside (you see it bubbling out the ends if you overcook the connection). Every once in a while I stumble across some cheap stuff that doesn't have the adhesive sealant, and I just don't trust it.

In the same vein, a good glob of ordinary sealant at the neck of that fitting would probably suffice as well.

Summersdawn · Post by **Summersdawn** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 4:35 pm

A goose neck is a good way to pass wires through a deck.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 1:23 am

You can use a couple of rail fittings and a length of flexible hose to make a wire run from the deck to the mast. Mount one of the fittings on the deck, the other to the mast and run the hose between them. A few hose clamps, some tape and your all done.

Just so you'll know what I'm referring to, here's a picture of the fitting.

Ceasar Choppy · Post by **Ceasar Choppy** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:35 am

Summersdawn wrote:A goose neck is a good way to pass wires through a deck.

Hey... and if you use the gooseneck, you can install lights in the bottom of the boom for instant cockpit lighting at anchor!

Summersdawn · Post by **Summersdawn** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 12:48 pm

The goose neck I was referring to is a tube that comes up out of the deck with a 180 degree bend in it. Think of a plumbing p-trap mounted upside down.

Ceasar Choppy · Post by **Ceasar Choppy** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:15 pm

Summersdawn wrote:The goose neck I was referring to is a tube that comes up out of the deck with a 180 degree bend in it. Think of a plumbing p-trap mounted upside down.

Indeed. Monday morning is no time for me to be posting things. :)

Summersdawn · Post by **Summersdawn** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:19 pm

Ceasar Choppy wrote:
Summersdawn wrote:The goose neck I was referring to is a tube that comes up out of the deck with a 180 degree bend in it. Think of a plumbing p-trap mounted upside down.
Indeed. Monday morning is no time for me to be posting things. :)

I understand ;-)