Any thoughts about junction boxes/covers/mounting surfaces?

[djwindrifter]

Hi Folks,

Hoping to pick your brains about some mechanical issues of putting wiring together.

Newmar makes some waterproof junction boxes with European-style terminal strips that look really nice for connecting smaller wires. But what junction box would you use if the Newmar box doesn't fit your need, if you need to roll your own, starting from scratch? Would you trust your local Home Depot waterproof box to work ok? Or is there some place (where?) on the web you go to to get your box? What features do you look for in the box you choose?

What are your thoughts about clear plastic to cut to size as a cover for protecting a wiring installation? Are there particular materials to avoid or to favor? What source do you use?

And how about mounting surfaces? A painted or epoxied piece of plywood will certainly do, but is there a material that you generally prefer?

Many thanks, John

[Maine Sail]

I use Velleman Enclosures. They come in MANY sizes. The ones I use are ABS and I just drill my own holes and install my own grommets.

[pdqaltair]

Exactly. Any electrical supply house should have these or something equivalent.

Another easy place can be McMaster/Carr.

I've not studied the HD boxes; you do want something with some beef in the cover and a real gasket.

If you want water proof, you will need to pay real attention to the wire seals; not just the grommets Mainsail showed in a dry location; liquid-tight cord grip fittings. These, of course, must be matched to the cable.

Also, BOTH ends of the cables must be dry. If one end gets wet, cooling will suck the water into the box (between the outer skin and the individual wires); if not liquid water, condensation.

[djwindrifter]

Thanks MS and PDQ. I hadn't even considered moisture wicking; thanks for the great pointers.

[sailingdog]

Any cables coming into the boat need to have a drip loop in them, so that the water drips into a known location and doesn't follow the cable into the terminal box.