Rewiring question / tinned or plain copper wire?

[JSGOLD]

Over the winter I want to upgrade my old 76' Starcraft 16' boat's wiring. Currently it is funtional, but a mess, with too many splices, old wiring, etc. I read tinned wire is best for boats, but why is that? I work for an electrical distributor so I have access to small stranded wires from 18 gauge to 500MCM, but it is not tinned. My boat is used for freshwater if that makes any difference.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Rewiring question / tinned or plain copper wire?

Marine wire is tinned for corrosion resistance, has more strands per gauge than automotive, and the sheathing is formulated to withstand the water, oil and temperature conditions encountered by boats.

If you work for a distributor I'd think you could get a pretty good discount on marine wire and connectors.

It's your call, but an electrical breakdown on a car doesn't usually leave you bobbing around in the water...

 

[rwidman]

Re: Rewiring question / tinned or plain copper wire?

Marine wire is tinned for corrosion resistance, has more strands per gauge than automotive, and the sheathing is formulated to withstand the water, oil and temperature conditions encountered by boats.

If you work for a distributor I'd think you could get a pretty good discount on marine wire and connectors.

It's your call, but an electrical breakdown on a car doesn't usually leave you bobbing around in the water...

That pretty well sums it up. I agree, use tinned marine wire, nothing else.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Rewiring question / tinned or plain copper wire?

Thanks guys. I wish it were so, as far as getting a good deal on the wire....this type of wire is not used in everyday electrical use, if at all. The nearest thing I found is SIS switchboard wire, which is tinned but only for dry use, and I have to special order that... So I am just like everyone else as far as buying wire, on ebay or wherever else. However we do sell Panduit terminals, which are the industries BEST so that is a positive. Not like I need thousands of feet anyway, just hoping to use what was at hand. Even that would be better than I have now, but I want to do it right so tinned it is.

 

[jhebert]

Re: Rewiring question / tinned or plain copper wire?

Marine grade wire can be purchased at good prices from GENUINEDEALZ.COM.