Boating How-To’s - Safe wiring after partial sinking
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sqrtof2
06-20-2012, 01:06 PM
My boat partially sank 6 months ago. After a long and drawn out repair job, covered by insurance, and after a sea trial, I am still not convinced my electrical wiring is not a fire hazard. The orginal surveyor seemed to indicate that if any exposed wire went under, brackish, that it needed to be replaced before even putting it back in the water. I was just in my forward bilge and the wiring to the shower sump has not been changed and is still connected together by exposed crimp " nuts?" The sump pump is now not working. Also an AC wire bass electrical tape around it where it must have an inline connection.
She is an 81 prairie, with several past owners. Gerry rigged to the hilt.
Should I be concerned? My marina has not been too eager to revisit and repair.
fathom
06-20-2012, 02:14 PM
Brackish and for sure salt water will corrode any wire it touches. The corrosion will wick (walk) right up the wire under the insulation. If a wire got wet, replace it! All sorts of bad things will happen over time, and none of them good.
sqrtof2
06-20-2012, 02:39 PM
I know at little something about AC electrical systems and I am insisting they return and repair these wires or i will not finish paying. They are acting like I am an over cautious silly old woman. To me, bad electrical wiring = fire.
DoubleO7
06-20-2012, 02:53 PM
at the very least you will be replacing wires as they give out to corrosion for now on.
Properly fused, they should not cause a fire hazard.
Your stuff will just quit working due to corrosion.
If the wiring was proper "tinned" copper wiring versus automotive type wire, those effects might be delayed for some time.
sqrtof2
06-20-2012, 06:07 PM
Besides electrical problems, what other things should I look out for.
FishnDive
06-20-2012, 06:38 PM
Gauges work on resistance and voltage, when the wires corrode, resistance will go up.
Solenoids start sticking.
Battery wires start to corrode
AC systems, anything can happen
Exposed crimp nuts, do you mean wire nuts like they use in household wiring, these don't belong in a boats wiring
Ring terminals can just disappear through electrolysis.
They are acting like I am an over cautious silly old woman.
Not a bad role model when it comes to a boats electrical system
fijon
06-23-2012, 09:33 AM
Can you post some pictures?
Also check out this thread: http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/330241-show-off-your-elec-wiring.html