Wires through the aluminum pipe

[gradyrod]

I need to run wires through the T-top piping to get 12v to my new deck light. I will be using 14-2 wire. I am trying to find out what size hole I should drill into the pipe so that the wire will fit and that the hole can be semi-plugged using a rubber grommet. What I am asking is what size grommet would I need to incase the 14-2 and fit into what size hole.

Thanks.

Gradyrod
Fisherman 204--1985

 

[seasick]

The size depends on the actual cable used. 14-2 could be round ro rectangular in cross section. It's outer dimension will vary with the type of insulation and cladding. You will need a sample of the cable and the thickness of the pipe to pick a grommet. Now the hole for the grommet is a different story. Find a grommet that fits your cable and your pipe and then get a piece of wood or thick cardboard that is about the thickness of the pipe you will be putting the grommet in. measure the outside diameter of the grove in the grommet, use the next size drill bit and drill a hole in the cardboard or wood. See if you can get the grommet into the hole. Note that the grommet will be much harder to insert with the wire run throgh it which is probably how it will be installed, so the hole may need to be a bit larger. It is also important that the test material be as thick as the pipe walls and that the grove in the grommet be sized right. A little soapy water helps when installing in the pipe.
Test the grommet install before running the wires. It is a lot easier to enlarge the hole if needed.

 

[jdsmith]

Gradyrod,

Please email me at jerrydsmithjr@aol.com. I have a 1984 204 fisherman and we communicated with each other before via this forum. It was several months ago but we were sharing the same projects with our boats, ie; fuel tank replacement, console repairs, outriggers, etc. I have been trying to reply to your posts with no success, so email me and we can discuss our very similiar boat projects.

 

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I would make the hole big enough to be able to run more wire if needed later. You can buy at auto stores a pack of assorted rubber grommits.

 

[catch22]

I would make the hole big enough to be able to run more wire if needed later. You can buy at auto stores a pack of assorted rubber grommits.

Agree.

After the install, you can simply cut the grommet, fit it around the cable and press it into place. Seal it up with silicone too.

You might want to pull a second, "pull line" for use later.

 

[Neckerindux]

oversize the grommot and silicone a grommet into a larger grommet. When measure use mic's/calipers.

 

[gradyrod]

Thanks everyone! good suggestions--as usual!

Rod

 

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

For a pull line, what i do is, i use outrigger line, measure the distance you going thru then cut the line 2 1/2 times bigger. After you insert the pull line in the tube, whenever you want to pass new wires, pull the line towards the line to be pulled leaving about 6 inches on the other side(i tie both ends any way), now you have in your hands more than 1/2 of the line, attach the wires with electric tape, pull and feed at the same time if you can, when you see the wires on the other side pull the wires and still have pull line on the other side.

 

[gradyrod]

Project complete!

Thanks for all the tips guys! As it turned out I was able to take my 14-2 encased in a white sheathe, and just feed it through a 1/2" hoe and saw it come right up to the hole in the center aft of T-top where I mounted the light. Hard part was getting the wire through the hole! I finally suceeded by using a grabber tool and getting enough of the wire out to get a pliers on it and pull. I did use the rubber grommets at all holes and these too were tough to install, but using a small flat blade screwdriver helped to get the grommets in place. I then ran the wire down another pipe and came into the console where the pipe ended(there were nav lite wires and VHF coax in there already) and went right to my new fuse block.

Thanks for all the suggestions and support!

Rod

 

[BobP]

I was going to suggest, build up the wire bundle with black electrical tape until it is just bigger than teh hole, then push it in half way, will make its own seal indent. Start with too much tape, you can always take off a turn or more if too tight.

For the first tape loop - make it very tight so the gap between wires is minimized. A drop of liquid tape between the individual wires before taping will also work.