

Notice the silver color of the conductors, because the wire is “tinned.” Can I use “regular wire” for my boat?Īncor marine-grade wire products are the longest lasting and most rugged available, exceeding UL 1426, ABYC and US Coast Guard Charter boat (CFR Title 46) standards. We’ll start with one of the most frequently asked questions-which kind of wire to use. This West Advisor will help you understand some basic standards and practices of DC marine wiring. Beyn’s The 12-Volt Doctor's Practical Handbook, so you really can learn to complete some simple electrical projects on your boat. Payne’s Marine Electrical Bible and Edgar J.
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If you’re not familiar with basic electrical practices and theory, hire someone who is, and let them install that new fishfinder, LED cabin light, anchor windlass or subwoofer! With that said, there are a lot of great resources that you can purchase from your favorite book store, like Don Casey’s Sailboat Electrical Systems: Improvement, Wiring, and Repair, John C. The amazing thing is how many of these rat’s nests of wiring actually work, for the moment. Something about 12-volt DC power seduces and encourages hack electricians to try their hand using household-grade wire and terminals.

In my several decades of owning and working on boats, I have personally seen more examples of scary do-it-yourself DC electrical projects than any other type of boat equipment disaster. Don’t take shortcuts when wiring your boat, or you may compromise the safety of your boat and crew. This is critically important because, according to BoatUS Marine Insurance, problems with DC electrical systems are responsible for 32 percent of onboard fires, more than any other category of causes. Safety onboard begins with a reliable DC electrical system, properly installed with quality wiring, connections and components. Put it in a corrosive environment, where wiring and electrical components are subjected to more concentrated daily abuse than your family car will experience in five years, and it’s easy to see how small electrical problems can get out of hand very quickly. That same truism can be applied to your boat’s DC electrical system. Does your boat have a similar legacy of bad electrical work? The amazing thing is that all of the systems still worked.

Underground Silicone-Filled Wire Nuts - #18 to #8 AWGĬontact Us: 73 or these gold-colored switch panels lurked a 40-year-old tangle of do-it-yourself wiring projects. WeatherProof & UnderGround Wire Connector Brochure UnderGround Wire Connector Specification Sheet UnderGround Wire Connector Instruction Sheet Not for use in continual submersion applications. The tough, thermoplastic shell provides extra protection against accidental impacts and the deep skirt provides superior moisture resistance, making these connectors UL Listed to 486G for use in damp, wet or direct burial, below-grade applications.ĭue to the pre-filled silicone sealant, UnderGround Wire Connectors are designed as a one-use only connection. With an expanding, live-action spring and pre-filled with a silicone-based sealant, UnderGround Wire Connectors make fast, secure, and long lasting connections. Quick and easy application saves time and energy, eliminating the need for heat shrink, resin-packs, and multi-step corrosion kits. UnderGround Wire Connectors are designed to secure and protect wire connections in a wide variety of below-grade, wet location and direct burial applications. This connector made specifically for harsh underground environments. Tough, UL 94V-2 flame-retardant shell rated at 105☌ (221☏)įor use in damp/wet location or direct burial-grade applications UL Listed to 486G Sealed Twist-On Wire Connector for use in damp/wet locations or above-grade applicationsĮasy to apply, pre-filled twist-on wire connectorsĮxpanding, live-action square-wire spring for fast, secure and long-lasting connectionsĭeep skirt provides superior moisture resistance to protect connections 100% Silicone-based sealant protects against moisture and corrosion
