Electrical wiring

[wchevron]

i need to run some new wiring in the boat to some nav. lights, bilge pump, vhf. should i run individual primary tinned wires or should i buy duplex wire which has the white jacketing. for the wiring in the bilge should i encase the wire in some pex or pvc tubing through the bilge area. also, butt connectors, vinyl or nylon. either one i will be covering with adhesive lined heat shrink.

[sailingdog]

IMHO, IF you're not running the wire through a conduit, it would probably be wise to get the duplex wiring with jacket. Wiring shouldn't be run through the bilge if at all avoidable, and should be run as high in the bilge as possible.

Also, I prefer not to encase any wiring that is running through the bilge as that increases the chance that the wiring will be sitting in water...since any type of conduit or jacketing will usually trap water.

Use the nylon butt connectors.

[negrini]

Yes, nylon on butt connectos is the best, but you rarely find duplex wire with real marine spec. (honorable exception to ANCOR), and makes harder when you need to replace one leg only. Look for the correct gauge, fireproof, oil and wet resistant (most marine grades are) and most important have it tin covered for corrosion resistance By the way, tin should cover butts as well .... and I'm with Dog too, not conduit to the bilge, that also makes easier to search for problems, but make sure its properly attached/bonded to a solid surface out of the way. Good luck.

[sailingdog]

Several other companies make good marine-grade wiring, besides Ancor. IIRC, Berkshire Wire out of Massachusetts is quite good too. I just ordered some from one of their distributors for a project on a friend's boat.

[sailboy21]

Triplex bilge wire seems to be pretty decent stuff, especially made for wet oily environment. but pricey. I've converted to using only duplex whenever possible since it seems to make jobs much easier, and of course for the added protection. Whenever I run the stuff I have acquired the habit of labeling the jacket with a sharpie every two feet.