It may have changed but when I did my bilge pumps the off brand pumps had 
longer wires so I could make my connections behind a settee and not in the 
bilge.  Keep it dry.


C S


> On July 9, 2019 at 5:22 PM Josh Muckley via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> 
> wrote:
> 
>     The narrow and shallow bilges of these C&Cs makes wiring a challenge.  
> The relatively short wires provided with typical bilge pumps doesn't help 
> either.
> 
>     If you absolutely cannot get the wires to reach high enough (just below 
> the floor boards) then solder and adhesive heat shrink is the best option.  I 
> would use extra long pieces of heat shrink too.  I'm sure there is probably a 
> spec but I usually use enough heat shrink to extend 1/4 to 3/8ths inch over 
> each side of insulation.  In a case like this I would push for 1 inch or at 
> least the length of the splice.  The splice should be mechanically sound such 
> that it is difficult to pull apart even without solder.  Look up lineman 
> splice or wester union splice.  When done correctly the twist of the strand 
> in the 2 wires lay together such that it becomes difficult to differentiate 
> them.  Basically parallel instead of perpendicular.  If you are extending the 
> wires anyway then you would probably be advised to extend them well clear of 
> the bilge.  Consider future repairs by leaving extra loops of wire.  Even if 
> the solder connection survives the pump and switch are unlikely to last more 
> than 3 or 4 years.
> 
>     In the case of joining 3 wires the only BEST way to do it is with 
> adhesive heat shrink ring terminals and a terminal board.  They even make 
> jumpers for terminal boards.  Unlikr radio shack or auto terminal boards, a 
> proper marine terminal board will not be made of corrosive materials.  Proper 
> marine terminals will be tinned so as to not corrode.  Proper marine wire 
> will be tinned however the cut end exposes the raw copper.  Using adhesive 
> heat shrink seals the water out of the terminal preventing the raw copper 
> wire inside the terminal from corroding.  A little dielectric grease on the 
> rings, screws, and terminal board contacts can help ensure that any tinning 
> that is damaged by the screw will remain protected.
> 
>     My mast wiring terminates in the overhead.  The bilge is less than 
> optimal.  A terminal box with glands for each wire may help in your 
> situation.  Absolutely consider the above mentioned heat shrink ring 
> terminals and dielectric grease.
> 
>     Josh Muckley 
>     S/V Sea Hawk 
>     1989 C&C 37+
>     Solomons, MD 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>     On Tue, Jul 9, 2019, 4:52 PM Della Barba, Joe via CnC-List < 
> cnc-list@cnc-list.com mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com > wrote:
> 
>         > > 
> >         No and No.
> > 
> >         Both of these will potentially cause stray current leakage into 
> > bilge water, which can eat metal very fast.
> > 
> >         Usually I don’t solder DC power wires, but my bilge pump wires are 
> > soldered and heat-shrinked to be totally waterproof where they are exposed 
> > to water. I would also move that junction block up higher.
> > 
> >          
> > 
> >         Joe
> > 
> >         Coquina
> > 
> >          
> > 
> >         From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com 
> > mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com ] On Behalf Of David Knecht via 
> > CnC-List
> >         Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2019 4:47 PM
> >         To: CnC CnC discussion list <CnC-List@cnc-list.com 
> > mailto:CnC-List@cnc-list.com >
> >         Cc: David Knecht <davidakne...@gmail.com 
> > mailto:davidakne...@gmail.com >
> >         Subject: [EXTERNAL] Stus-List Wiring advice
> > 
> >          
> > 
> >         I have two questions related to the correct way of doing wiring in 
> > a wet area (bilge) of the boat.  
> > 
> >          
> > 
> >         1.  In the process of wiring in my new high water alarm, I found it 
> > convenient to split an existing always hot red wire in the bilge area to 
> > run both the bilge alarm and the emergency bilge pump switch.  I had some 3 
> > way fittings from Defender (below) that I have used before which have 
> > crimp/heat shrink attachment ports.  After connecting them I realized that 
> > the center part of the fitting is actually not insulated.  This seemed like 
> > a bad idea, especially for a potentially wet area like the bilge.  I am 
> > confused by the logic of a sealed connector that has an unsealed junction 
> > exposed.   In the past I used a larger crimp/shrink butt connector and 
> > stuck two wires into one end and now that seems like a better solution. 
> > 
> >         [BSP Clear Seal 3-Way Splice Connectors]
> > 
> >          
> > 
> >         2. There is also an open connector block for all the mast wiring in 
> > the same area of the bilge, so high water would get to that area at a 
> > similar time as the alarm or emergency switch.  So is that considered an OK 
> > way to set up mast wiring in a wet area?
> > 
> >          
> > 
> >         Thanks- Dave
> > 
> >          
> > 
> >         S/V Aries
> > 
> >         1990 C&C 34+
> > 
> >         New London, CT
> > 
> > 
> >          
> > 
> >         _______________________________________________
> > 
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