Craked wire casing in control lever box? Liquid tape?

[tgp***]

I have a 1967 merc control boX, I was disconnecting the contrOl cables for routing when I noticed a wire in the control box where the casing is cracked and the wire is showing. Anyone ever use lliquid tape to do repairs like this?? or heat shrink tape??

Thanks

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Craked wire casing in control lever box? Liquid tape?

Best to replace the wire if you can. If not heat shrink will work but its not tape. Its a tube and you will have to disconnect one end of the wire to side it over.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Craked wire casing in control lever box? Liquid tape?

I LOVE Liquid elec tape !! I had wire showing thru the insulation at the trim limit switch Liq elec tape has held for OVER 10 YRS !. Done trailer wires with long term sucess. I Believe in it totally ! I rough up the area to be repaired w steel wool /sandpaper and wipe w rubbing alcohol for prep

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: Craked wire casing in control lever box? Liquid tape?

Liquid tape will seal the wire and stop the corrosion. It's a whole lot better than shrink tubing for your use because you don't have to remove the wire. However, if the wire is corroded you'll probably want to cut it back anyway.

BTW, liquid tape is also great for preventing fraying on the ends of nylon ropes. Dip & done.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Craked wire casing in control lever box? Liquid tape?

I have a 1967 merc control boX, I was disconnecting the contrOl cables for routing when I noticed a wire in the control box where the casing is cracked and the wire is showing. Anyone ever use lliquid tape to do repairs like this?? or heat shrink tape??

Thanks

I'm interpreting "the casing is cracked and the wire is showing" to mean that the insulation is cracked and the bare conductor inside is showing.

There's no doubt in my mind that someone, somewhere, has used "liquid electrical tape", heat shrink tape, bubble gum, etc. to repair cracked insulation on a wire.

This would be fine to get you back to the dock, or even for a day on the water until you can replace the wire with a new one. If it's cracked in one place, it's likely that it has dried out and will soon crack somewhere else.

Use only "marine" grade stranded wire and connectors from a marine retailer when making the repair. If that wire is damaged, check the others, they may be due for replacement also.

 

[tgp***]

Re: Craked wire casing in control lever box? Liquid tape?

Thanks for the responses. The wire is a short one that leads into the neutral safety switch. I'm not sure there enough to work with, to cut and replace. d I need to investigate this control box some more. I'll look at at again today. I really don't want replace the entire harnness. I doubt I ever find a harnesss and control box that would be in any better shape than the one I have for 1967 Merc 650.

 

[Al-53]

Re: Craked wire casing in control lever box? Liquid tape?

If you can..use the liquid tape..and then run a piece of heat shrink over it once the tape dries.....I used liquid tape on a wire 3 years ago as a quick fix....this year I noticed it was peeling..I fixed the wire by cutting and replacing it....I used used a heat shrink butt end connector..then used liquid tape to make sure it was sealed....and then used heat shrink tubing to cover it...I know over did it...but I feel secure now...

Al

 

[tgp***]

Re: Craked wire casing in control lever box? Liquid tape?

After futher investigation..... I need to replace the wire if I can. Its pretty bad. The insulation on the yellow wire just falls apart 9the colors are fine its just the yellow it seems). I'm going to try my hand at soldering a new wire between the safety switch and ignition switch. Its off to Sears for a solder gun.

Thanks

 

[Al-53]

Re: Craked wire casing in control lever box? Liquid tape?

yes..that wire needs to be replaced.....a nick or small crack is fine ..you are beyond that.......cut back till you find clean wire....no corrisoin......solder and heat shrink...good to go..check the others also..may as well get any future problems fixed while your doing it

Al

 

[rwidman]

Re: Craked wire casing in control lever box? Liquid tape?

After futher investigation..... I need to replace the wire if I can. Its pretty bad. The insulation on the yellow wire just falls apart 9the colors are fine its just the yellow it seems). I'm going to try my hand at soldering a new wire between the safety switch and ignition switch. Its off to Sears for a solder gun.

Thanks

If you have to go to Sears for a soldering gun, I suggest you find a friend who has soldered wires before and have him do it for you. This isn't a good time or place to learn. Soldering is not the best practice for boat wiring and it's no longer recommended, but in this case, I suppose it's all you can do.

I don't think that insulation is cracked and burnt because it is yellow, I suspect it was severely overloaded and heated up, destroying the insulation. The condition may still exist so check for excessive current flow or heat after you replace the wire.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: Craked wire casing in control lever box? Liquid tape?

Soldering guns are best used for hobbies, not electronics and electrical. They can quickly apply too much heat and melt the housings around the terminals.

Radio Shack sells inexpensive soldering irons in the 35 to 45 watt range. Use rosin core solder for electrical, not acid core.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Craked wire casing in control lever box? Liquid tape?

Soldering guns are best used for hobbies, not electronics and electrical. They can quickly apply too much heat and melt the housings around the terminals.

Radio Shack sells inexpensive soldering irons in the 35 to 45 watt range. Use rosin core solder for electrical, not acid core.

Not so. I am a retired electronic technician, one who made installations and repairs in the field for many years. A soldering gun is typically 140 watts or so, some have two wattage ranges.

I used a 140 watt gun most of the time, but for smaller work, a 35 watt iron. I would have used the gun on a repair he's showing with #14 or #12 gauge wire.

With the higher wattage, it's possible to heat the connection quickly, make the soldered joint, and remove the heat before damaging anything.

But, it's an art, that's why I suggested getting someone who already knows how to solder to make the repair.

 

[tgp***]

Re: Craked wire casing in control lever box? Liquid tape?

Done Deal. I decided to try and do this thing myself, so, I bought a 35 watt solder iron pencil at Sears ($8). The first attempt, my solder was not melting very well. Then, I realized I had pipe solder. Back to the store. Back with electric solder. Soldered in a new wire (12 guage) from the ignition to the safety switch (i think its the safety switch), I put a dab of liquid tape on the outside of the solder, and there you have it. It was not that bad. A third hand to hold the switches would have been nice, but I managed. We'll see what happens when I finish the restoration of this old tin can, and fire it up for the first time.

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[EricJRW]

Re: Craked wire casing in control lever box? Liquid tape?

Looks good! Glad you got the electrical solder, as stated above, that's rosin core. Pipe solder is typically acid core, which is not recommended for electrical work.