Control Cables

Hooty

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
4,496
I've seen pictures of some o/b performance boats that have their control cables in a "hose". It looks like they come from the engine, make a 90 deg. bend and go down under the splash well. How do these short cables accommodate engine tilt and turn. I've got a 20" dia. coil of control cables in my splash well to handle tilt and turn.<br />I think it looks good but can't figger out how-to-do.<br />Thanks & c/6<br /><br />hooty
 

Ranger354

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 1, 2001
Messages
207
Re: Control Cables

Hooty,<br /><br />A buddy of mine covers his cables up with a piece of black jacuzzi(sp) hose. Looks great! I think his cables are coiled up under the deck before they come out to the backwash basin.
 

BOATRIGHT

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Nov 25, 2001
Messages
36
Re: Control Cables

Hooty,my local marine dealer rigs all thier new boats with the cables in a black mesh sleeve.The material is like fabric and very flexable.Like you I wanted to dress my outboard up as well,the dealer sells the mesh sleeving by the foot.I bought about 4feet and it was a breeze to install and looks like a pro did it.I am sure a hose will work to,but wont be as flexable.Best of luck.
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Control Cables

Hooty,<br /><br />Either way will work. You can also buy the black plastic wire conduit in diameters up to 2". One nice thing about this stuff is that is that it is split and does not require you to unhook everything.<br /><br />Depends on how your rig is laid out. Ranger's buddy has the coils under the deck. That's OK as long as they can move with the engine.
 

Hooty

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
4,496
Re: Control Cables

Allright,<br />Thanks for getting back to me. I appreciate it. Think I'll stuff all my control cables up under the splash well, deck,what ever and see if tha engine will still twist 'n tilt, then see what's available to put 'um in.<br /><br />Thanks for tha tips & c/6,<br /><br />hooty
 

mbb

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 20, 2001
Messages
176
Re: Control Cables

on several boats Ive used washing machine drain hose to clean up engine appearance. It is about 1.25" diameter soft black rubber tube around 6 ft long. Ive crammed starter cables and wiring harness thru it by wetting with soapy water first. Local rubber supply houses couldnt find me anything as good to use.
 

Pursuit2150

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 3, 2001
Messages
553
Re: Control Cables

Use caution when stuffing the cables anywhere,try to give them as much radius as possible.
 

ajp

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 6, 2002
Messages
280
Re: Control Cables

For me, I'll do without the hose conduit for my cables and wires. The mesh hose sounds OK. <br />I bought a used boat that had all the wires and cables running through a rubber type hose. The problem I found was that it was brittle and full of water. Caused alot of corrosion of the shielding for the wires and positive battery cable. That corroded battery cable caused low voltage and burned up a starter and powerpack and caused a boat owner to sell the boat to me cheap because he couldn't find the problem. An easy fix -battery cable and a $250 powerpack.<br /><br />Out of sight/out of mind was expensive.<br /><br />FYI<br /><br />Arlan
 

Hooty

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
4,496
Re: Control Cables

ajp, good for you, bad for him. Rust, corrosios, etc would be something to be aware of. Thanks for the heads-up.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />hooty
 

suzukidave

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 1, 2000
Messages
387
Re: Control Cables

Ditto on the problem of these "decorative" hoses filling up with water. I used some flexible bilgepump hose to tidy up my wiring harness and it filled up with salt water in a sag and ended up causing a short. To make matters worse, the water combined with grease from the motor to make a disgusting mess that coated the wires and spilled into the battery compartment when I finally discovered it. <br /><br />To fix the problem punch some holes in the hose.
 

Ranger354

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 1, 2001
Messages
207
Re: Control Cables

Hooty,<br /><br />I looked at my ranger and I have the flexable mesh hose around my cables. I think that is what I would use. I will talk to my buddy with the jacuzzi hose and see if he has water in them.
 

Pursuit2150

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 3, 2001
Messages
553
Re: Control Cables

If you have exposed wires and cables you want to cover for "LOOKS" use the split covers or the mesh. The split can be removed from time to time and cleaned, Or the mesk will always be exposed to air , otherwise the cables/wires will be subjected to water.etc,and give you future problems.Also when you are making loops in the runs, make the radius as large as possible to prevent kinks and any binding, for a smooth movement!!
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Control Cables

Howdy Hooty,<br /><br />The split conduits are OK. I forgot to mention-just make sure you install them with the OPEN SIDE DOWN. Last time I checked-water flows down hill. They won't retain it this way. :D
 
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