View Single Post
  #19   Report Post  
posted to rec.boats.cruising
Lew Hodgett Lew Hodgett is offline
external usenet poster
 
First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 348
Default Dropcord Pricing...


"Wayne.B" wrote:

No need for that in my experience, just tin the part that is

stripped
where the connection is going to be, and seal the gap with heat

shrink
tubing to keep moisture out.


You are kidding yourself.

Soldering or "tinning" wire before installing a mechanical crimp
connection, defeats the primary function of a mechanically crimped
connection.

Sealing with "goo" and shrink tape also fails to truly address the
problem which is quite similar to the solid aluminum conductor
problems of the 70s.

Under load, heat develops which not only reduces the affiance of the
mechanical connection, but further reduces the affiance further till
failure.

The failure with untinned wire develops about 3"-5" back from the
connection when the wire melts.

Was told by a guy who conducted the "boat autopsy" for a boat the
insurance company hired him to investigate.

It was a large gas powered boat that had been rewired with 4/0 welding
cable, with the cables routed over the top of the gas tanks.

Needless to say, the boat was a total loss and the insurance company
declined to cover the loss.

Lew