There's Got to be Something Better Than PVC to Secure Wires in Mast?

[albergsailor]

i kno their are metal-like conduits but how about an aluminum conduit? do home depot ect sell aluminum conduits? I just cant see putting pcv in the mast. seems an alumin pipe would be much easier to secure as well since i could use hose clamps, even u clamps, ect

[sailorboy1]

in no part of my mind can I see an aluminum conduct being better than a PVC one, can you explain why you believe it to be so?

[ozskipper]

Why not use PVC? Its long lasting. It doesn't oxidize. It wont suffer electrical corrosion from stray currents and it wont cause a short if it comes into contact with a live wire. Plus, its lighter and cheaper than alloy. It can be secured with U clamps also. Gee, even large (good quality) cable ties will hold it in place for years-depending on exposure.

I think that using alloy is way over complicating and over capitalizing on a simple job. The only point I would make is if it isn't secured well enough, it may "slap" the inside of the mast occasionally due to its flexibility.

[jongleur]

I'll repeat from an earlier thread:

The best solution to internal mast wires is to take out any conduits and send a line affixed with cushion foam every 3 feet the length of the mast. Have the messenger line along the side of this. It's lighter and you can send any number of wires or lines up or down and they will be held quietly against the mast.

Worked like a charm on my K41.

[transmitterdan]

Conduit, Rigid, 3/4 In, 10 Ft. L - conduit - Conduit - 5ZM29 : Grainger Industrial Supply

[albergsailor]

i was actuallyt thinking of using the mega zip ties for this. Alright i was just worried that pcv gets brittle over time and cracks is this not the case?,, u make a good point that its not conductive, or corrosive. I guess i was just thinking that plastic conduit was just that, - plastic, i didnt realize it was pcv, which again i assume last for a very long time?,

[colemj]

Originally Posted by jongleur

I'll repeat from an earlier thread:

The best solution to internal mast wires is to take out any conduits and send a line affixed with cushion foam every 3 feet the length of the mast. Have the messenger line along the side of this. It's lighter and you can send any number of wires or lines up or down and they will be held quietly against the mast.

Worked like a charm on my K41.

Did your mast have internal halyards?

Mark

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by albergsailor

---- i didnt realize it was pcv, which again i assume last for a very long time?,

Well, since the plumbing in your house is most likely made out of pvc, let's hope so.

[albergsailor]

no i dont have internal haylards, but i just spend an hour or 2 today and at least an hour yesterday getting all the - old aerosal type foam out of my mast that was in thier. I dont want foam in my mast, although it may be a good system i just dont have the patience or time right now to figure that system out right now. I know your talking about a different type of foam. But last year after having to gorilla tape wires to my mast since it was filled with foam, well that put a bad taste in my mouth. Ive been googling for a cuple minutes and SEEMS pcv sure does crack and get brittle. It may last 30 years, i dunno

[colemj]

Originally Posted by albergsailor

no i dont have internal haylards, but i just spend an hour or 2 today and at least an hour yesterday getting all the - old aerosal type foam out of my mast that was in thier. I dont want foam in my mast, although it may be a good system i just dont have the patience or time right now to figure that system out right now. I know your talking about a different type of foam. But last year after having to gorilla tape wires to my mast since it was filled with foam, well that put a bad taste in my mouth. Ive been googling for a cuple minutes and SEEMS pcv sure does crack and get brittle. It may last 30 years, i dunno

Yes, spray on foam is an abomination and bad idea all around. It can actually harm the mast.

My question about internal halyards was directed at the poster who suggested tying cushion foam on a rope inside the mast.

I don't suggest any type of foam at all - pvc conduit is a good choice for your application. Ours is 14yrs old and no signs of damage. It does stay out of the sun its whole life.

Mark

[albergsailor]

yea i dunno what i was reading that talked about it getting brittle but my further googling suggest that it has quite a long life expectancy say around 50 years, so thats plenty good enough for me. Exactly-- its not exposed to sunlight. I guess pcv is the way to go then. thats my problem i second guess everything with my boats thats y it takes forever to get stuff done! thanks so much for all the advice especially since it was kinda a dum question i just wanted to b sure.

[jongleur]

Mark asked:

'Did your mast have internal halyards?'

No. That would be different, I agree.

But...

Considering all the sailors here that have had problems with internal conduits, the foam is a great solution.

If the pvc is too big, the lines will slap inside it, if it is too small, it will be hard to run new wires. If it is not secured well, it can slip down or around and not line up right or slap the mast itself. If one puts rivets in to keep it from slipping and slapping, they become potentials for tangling. Also, cutting holes in the conduit for such things as foredeck lights introduces weak areas in the conduit.

No such problems with open cell foam every three feet on a line inside the mast. Goes in easy, lines run easy and stay quiet. Give it a try.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by jongleur

Mark asked:

'Did your mast have internal halyards?'

No. That would be different, I agree.

But...

Considering all the sailors here that have had problems with internal conduits, the foam is a great solution.

If the pvc is too big, the lines will slap inside it, if it is too small, it will be hard to run new wires. If it is not secured well, it can slip down or around and not line up right or slap the mast itself. If one puts rivets in to keep it from slipping and slapping, they become potentials for tangling. Also, cutting holes in the conduit for such things as foredeck lights introduces weak areas in the conduit.

No such problems with open cell foam every three feet on a line inside the mast. Goes in easy, lines run easy and stay quiet. Give it a try.

But Bill, virtually every production boat built in the last 25 years HAS internal halyards, so your solution is of limited use to teh folks asking questions.

Cheers,

Jim

[chef2sail]

We had open cell foam and it deteriorated over a we years leaving particles like dust in the bilge. Also it can get water soaked and heavy from any rain coming down the mast and pull on wires. I would not suggest foam.

Dave

[GordMay]

A series of three tie-wraps (installed at 120 degrees to each other), every several feet, will keep a bundle of wires “softly” centred in the mast.
Snug them up, leaving the tails sticking out, opposing each other. The tension they provide against the inside of the mast prevents the harness from slapping, but allows halyards to pass by.