Use the gray electrical conduit instead of schedule 40

Neil
1982 C&C 32

Neil Andersen
20691 Jamieson Rd
Rock Hall, MD 21661
484-354-8800
________________________________
From: CnC-List <cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com> on behalf of Nathan Post via 
CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 7, 2020 7:12:32 PM
To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
Cc: Nathan Post <nathan8...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Stus-List securing cables in mast

Thanks Josh,  Yes a windex light, masthead tricolor/anchor light and NEMA2000 
wind instruments are all part of the plan. Deck and steaming lights at the 
spreader along with the radar too. Hadn’t considered a wifi antenna but I have 
plenty of plenum cat6 around so I’ll include that - good suggestion.

I take it that you would attach the conduit to the front of the mast?  I was 
visualizing of tucking it toward the back. I’ll need to check how much space 
there is around the spreader support bar. There are also through bolts where 
the stays attach too.
The schedule 40 pvc conduit That is readily available is probably overkill for 
this application and the joints add thickness.  Need to see what else I can 
find...

For bonding, currently the mast sits in an aluminum step that has a keel bold 
going through It with a washer and nut under the center of the mast.  Is that 
sufficient?  Would you recommend a ground strap in there too?  My DC system is 
bonded to the engine but not to the keel as far as I know.  I don’t use up 
zincs too quickly so I haven’t been tempted to change anything.

Thanks, Nathan

On Apr 7, 2020, at 6:50 PM, Josh Muckley via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> 
wrote:


Conduit is the only professional way to go.

You will be limited by the space in front of the spreader bars that support the 
spreaders.  I would use standard thin wall pvc no needs for anything thick and 
maximize the diameter.  If you're going to do it then make it the best you can 
for the next guy... Who knows it might be you!

Yes a second conduit makes sense especially if you are ever going to have a 
mast mounted radar.

This is exactly how the yard did my mast when they rebuilt it.

While you are in there consider spreader lights, long range wifi (cat-6), 
windex light, and NMEA2000

You may also want to evaluate the current bonding situation for the mast.

I can give additional pointers or advice if desired.

Josh Muckley
S/V Sea Hawk
1989 C&C 37+
Solomons, MD




On Tue, Apr 7, 2020, 18:30 Nathan Post via CnC-List 
<cnc-list@cnc-list.com<mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote:
All,

As one of my boat projects this spring I am replacing the electrical wiring in 
my mast.   The mast is currently down (horizontal) so now is the time to do it. 
 I want to secure the wires in the mast, in particular to reduce noise (when 
rocking at anchor).  Wisper is a 1981 C&C 34 with a keel stepped mast and 5 
internal halyards in addition to the wires.  The cables are for wind 
instruments, masthead and steaming lights, VHF coax, and radar (power and 
communication) so it will be a substantial bundle with a separate drop at the 
spreader.  The two approaches I am considering are:

1) Creating a bundle (wiring harness) of the cables and placing 3 large cable 
ties on the bundle at perhaps 2 or 3 foot intervals with the tails sticking out 
at 120 deg angles that will bend over and press against the mast and keep the 
cables in the middle.  I would use Panduit metal barb outdoor zip ties which 
are robust, smooth edged, and long lasting.

2) Installing a PVC conduit (using rivets?) with a feeder line for the cables 
and then running the cables through it.

There is support of both methods in various forums online.  Cable ties are 
definitely the simpler method.  The main advantages to the conduit that I see 
is being able to run an additional wire through it at a later time potentially 
with the mast up.  Also I might be able to run cables from top to bottom so 
that a large connector can remain preinstalled on the top (for example for the 
radar unit) rather than needing to feed everything in to the bottom at once and 
then fishing the ends out the various small holes in the mast and reattaching 
connectors.  The disadvantage is the effort required to install it and the 
additional holes I would need to create in the mast.  I am also unsure how 
quiet either solution would be and the relative chance of tangling or extra 
friction or wear on a halyard although most info on-line seems to indicate that 
the conduit is the better choice for that.

With the conduit approach, I am also debating if two smaller conduits - one to 
the spreader and one to the mast head - would make more sense than having a 
hole in large conduit at the spreader location.

Has anyone done either of these securing approaches?  What are your thoughts on 
the success?  How much does it silence the cables?  Is the effort for the 
conduit worth it?

Thanks,
Nathan Post
S/V Wisper
1981 C&C 34 CB
Lynn MA, USA
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