Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

[dccordell]

Ok guys, what would be a good way for me to encase the under-deck wiring that goes from the center console (gauges, switches, etc) to the rear of the boat (engine, batteries, trim, etc)? The factory just had it laid down on the hull as far as I could tell.

I think I saw in at least one thread on here where someone used something like 2" PVC pipe, but I can't find that darn post for my life now! I wonder if I were to take this route, what would be the best way to seal off the PVC where it comes through the deck inside the console. Could I just lay fiberglass around the PVC while I'm 'glassing the deck?

Also, I'm trying to line up some wire boots (grommets?) for where the wires exit at the rear. I've found these two on iboats (Motorwell Boot and Cable Boot) and I'm wondering which is better or does it matter? I was thinking the one with the strap would be more adjustable if I ever added more wires.

Thanks for all the help guys.. really helping more than you know!

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

I saw that post, or one similar.
I think he did that because it going to get foam sprayed on the hull.

My CC has 2" or 3" PVC pipe as outlet under a compartment and another PVC pipe as an inlet under the console.
I don't know if that continues under the deck.
The previous owner ran extra wires from the battery so I think it has a PVC conduit.

The compartment is protected from water, but under the console it sticks up about 3" sealed the PVC/deck with seam sealer, so I don think much water can get in there.
I did accidentally drop a screw down the PVC under the console!

If I were to ever re-do this boat I would run the wires like we saw in the PVC conduit (if it isn't from the factory) and run the control/steering cables outside the PVC allowing more reasonable bends.

That boot would give it a clean look!

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

iboats (Motorwell Boot and Cable Boot)

I would buy the cheaper motorwell boot, cut the opening and punch holes, use a black cable tie like the cable boot!

 

[demon1]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

mine has pvc pipe from console to the back. the wires and steering cable go thru it . I had to replace the floor when I got it and I sealed it under the console with caulking

 

[dccordell]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

Yeah I was thinking I would have to just leave the cable controls (shift/throttle) outside any conduit I use because it would have to bend too sharply and it would be difficult to fit the steering bar (??) through the pipe.

I like the PVC idea, probably will go with it. Just looking for opinions and ideas of how to do it even better. I've been wondering how I would fasten the PVC to my center stringer. I think I might just tab it to the stringer so that I don't have to worry about using screws or conduit clamps that could cause water intrustion into the stringer.

I'm thinking I'll have to use two of the boots (whichever I choose) at the rear of the boat, one for the conduit cables and one for the motor controls. Is this logical?

1fishbone, good idea on the boot... that sure is something how the boot with the zip tie is so much more than the other one! I'll have to think about it..

 

[jonesg]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

I used 3 inch grey pvc, not the white stuff.
Didn't run it straight down the middle of the deck, it needed to exit close to the hull side so the steering cable can sweep gently to the steering arm.

 

[dccordell]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

Looks like the Lowes here doesn't have the gray stuff. Only PVC, CPVC, and ABS. Didn't check HD. And good idea on not running the control cables down the middle... looks like I'll have to do mine the same way. I think the white PVC will be ok I guess.

Hoping for some good weather for the next few days to get some glassing done! Darn mother nature... hehe

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

Looks like the Lowes here doesn't have the gray stuff. Only PVC, CPVC, and ABS. Didn't check HD. And good idea on not running the control cables down the middle... looks like I'll have to do mine the same way. I think the white PVC will be ok I guess.

Hoping for some good weather for the next few days to get some glassing done! Darn mother nature... hehe

grey pipe in electrical dept.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

Most boat builders use white PVC.

Use 3" minimum and bigger if possible, it is much easier to fish wires through the larger pipe. Plus the steering and control cables will fit inside it much better without being bent too much.

Using the grey (electrical conduit) you can use the sweep bends if there's room for them, they make a larger radius turn.

 

[dccordell]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

Ah of course it's in electrical... I knew that! Sometimes I wonder about myself...

Yeah I was thinking that it would make it easy to use the sweeping bends with the grey pipe, but I also see that they have a sweeping bend for use in that 2 or 3" PVC drain pipe. It might not be as much of a sweep but a good bit more than a regular elbow. Guess I'll decide between now and next Monday when I hope to be doing some glassing.

I'll show you guys the results either way... thanks!

 

[dccordell]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

One quick question:
When I run the pipe through the deck into the console, the pipe that sticks up into the console where the wires will come out, is there any kind of grommet or cap that I should get for the top of the pipe so the wires won't rub the edge of the pipe? Or maybe just a coupling because the edges are slightly rounded on those. Any input?

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

Just an idea . They make wires suitable to carry your needs already encased in rubber, like telephone wire only larger.(HD has rolls of it) Worked well on wiring the dash on my boat. Also why does it have to be so rigid? Would running the wires through a section of garden hose not also work. I would keep the electrical wires and the moving parts of a control cable separated.

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

you most likely will be using a elbow on that end, let it stick up about 2-3 inches above deck. this fitting will have a nice rounded edge so no need to worry about chaffing. however depending on how dry it stays under your console you may want some kind of rubber boot to keep out the possibility of water intrusion. what do you think ?

 

[dccordell]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

... depending on how dry it stays under your console you may want some kind of rubber boot to keep out the possibility of water intrusion. what do you think ?

The inside of the console should stay 100% dry because it's a closed in type. The front side of the console actually folds out to make a table for the bow seating. I was thinking I might could get a PVC plug (with the flat top) to put on the top of the pipe under the console and drill an appropriately sized hole in it for a rubber grommet. But I couldn't find a grommet that would accept the thickness of the PVC plug, so I think I'll just go with the elbow.

I guess the main reason for the rigid piping would be to keep the wires from bouncing around under the deck. And it would make it lots easier to run a new wire to the console if I ever need to.

I think I'll use the PVC (white or gray, idk) for the wires, and then just run the control cables under the deck without any conduit. The cables are heavy and thick so I don't think they will bounce around so much. This seems to be what other people do as well, right?

Weather is nice in Louisiana this week (65+)... time to finally open the resin buckets and give it a shot.

 

[twkjr 1250]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

if that cap is the way you want to go , then look at the fittings for that grey pipe they have water proof fiitings with rubber like you said, that may work for your application.if you cant find anything like i said, how about a funnel cut to fit over it. just a thought in case you need to get in there

 

[jonesg]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

WHen I lifted my deck the original white pvc was broken in several places, tha allowed water into the foam. You can whack the grey pipe with a hammer and it won't shatter like the white stuff.

 

[beckspop]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

you most likely will be using a elbow on that end, let it stick up about 2-3 inches above deck. this fitting will have a nice rounded edge so no need to worry about chaffing. however depending on how dry it stays under your console you may want some kind of rubber boot to keep out the possibility of water intrusion. what do you think ?

3" rubber jim cap, slice a cross in the middle..

 

[dccordell]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

I wonder how the white PVC broke like that? Maybe vibration and being brittle from old age. I looked at the pipes again today.. The grey stuff sure is cheaper. The only concern I have with it is that the sweeping bends sweep soooo much that it would put the pipe under the deck nearly on the hull of th boat. I really only need it to to below the deck about 3-4inches so it will line up with where it comes out by the motor box. Still going over my options... Lots of good ideas here.

Also thinking of running a smaller diameter pipe from the console tithe bow of the boat so it will be easier to run the nav/courtesy/speaker wires to the front and sides without going all the way to the back and then back up to the front. That make any sense? I saw a white PVC "sweeping tee-wye" in loses that would be perfect. I'll have to draw up a little sketch later to show what I mean.

Letting resin harden right now.. Back to work! Thanks for the good ideas so far everybody!

 

[jonesg]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

On mine the nav wiring goes through the tube and exits at the rear, then goes fwd under the gunnel.
To me wiring is black magic so I left it alone.
For to try and improve the wiring would be another can of worms to deal with.
You should use tinned marine wire, that gets expensive to replace.

 

[dccordell]

Re: Under-deck wire "conduit" for Center Cons.

Yeah that's what I was trying to avoid by running some conduit to the front of the boat from the console so I won't have to run wires from the console to the back then to the front. Should save some wire at least, and maybe look cleaner.

Looks like the tinned wire is the way to go... the wire from genuinedealz isn't too expensive. I'll be going that way probably.

Just gotta know how to fight back at the black magic! hehe