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Is marine wire different ---

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/20/2006 : 07:10:32

Hi All, I dropped the mast yesterday and now I have a day and a half to rebuild it. This is plenty of time and I have everything I need to rebuild it except the wire for the lights. This is a stupid question, but is marine wire different from Home Depot (for example) wire? The bundled four strand at HD is a little less than a buck a foot and West Marine it is over 3 bucks a foot. Cheers and thanks in advance.

Dennis
No Boat
S.E. Michigan

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2006 : 07:21:38

Dennis,
YES marine wire is different from regular auto/household/low voltage wire, it is tinned throughout it's length which hinders corrosion.
Get the good stuff, it'll be there a while.

paul

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2006 : 07:24:52

Thanks Paul.

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2006 : 07:29:50

The good stuff goes into the mast. The constant exposure to the elements would quickly eat the auto type wiring. HD "may" also sell a tinned wire. If they do, go for it.

Tom.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2006 : 07:58:42

The marine grade wire also has finer strands and more of them to better resist fatigue resulting from flexing caused by engine and rig vibration, wave action, and other movement. I seem to recall the the Home Depot near here on Merritt Island stocks some marine grade electrical supplies. Considering what your time is worth, and the potential costs of an electrical system failure, installing inferior wiring to save money is in my opinion a false economy.

-- Leon Sisson

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dblitz
Navigator

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240 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2006 : 21:51:27

I'm no expert, but I wouldn't use ANY wire unless it is tinned. You go through the trouble of rewiring and then the job just doesn't last because regular wire is just not up to it. I rewired the lights on my Oday and it just lasted one year.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2006 : 22:27:38

There's also different grades of shrink tubing; For the boat, I use the adhesive type which creates a better seal to keep out moisture . . .
Good luck!

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