Clever ways that pass wires/hoses/etc through water tight bulkhead.

[mrybas]

PO had an affinity for a heavy gob of 5200 where wires/plumbing passed through water tight bulkheads.
It makes adding/removing very difficult and it looks like ****.
For wires I was thinking about the deck fittings that squeeze a rubber grommet around the wire.
For plumbing, maybe epoxy a short piece of pvc through the bulkhead, then make the attachment to hose?
Any clever ideas?

[geoffr]

I tend to go commercial rather than home made.
I use blue sea cable clams. They work pretty well.

[Jim Cate]

If possible, have the penetrations up near the deck level, well above the WL. Then it doesn't matter if they are water tight.

Jim

[Matt Johnson]

For hoses, we Banjo brand bulkhead fittings with NPT on both sides. For wires, I used Ancor (Water tite) waterproof cable gland, but our bulkheads are only 5mm thick.

https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/it...5989&catid=477

Matt

[mrybas]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

If possible, have the penetrations up near the deck level, well above the WL. Then it doesn't matter if they are water tight.

Jim

most of the wiring and plumbing run underneath the floor boards/cabin sole, so it would be difficult to reroute above the waterline.

[Don C L]

OK. just for fun I'll throw something out... hmmm, how about run the wires through sealed-in PVC pipe inserts and then plug the space in the pipe with hot softened candle wax, or maybe just room temp toilet ring wax, jammed in at both ends? When you want to remove them, pour hot water on them?
Hey I'm just winging it here! It could work!
This is one of those things to video and post for a new DIY thread, "Clever, odd things I have tried. Some worked. Sort of."
I'll have plenty for that thread.

[Matt Johnson]

Spray foam works to fill the pvc around the wires too.

Matt

[john61ct]

They go by many names

Cable Glands / Cable Bushings / Cord Grip Connectors / Strain Relief

In marine usage as with Blue Sea, "clams"

[Scott Berg]

Our bulkheads are up to 55mm; we use glassed in fiberglass tubes (as conduit) similar to exhaust fittings seal with electricians putty; works like a charm.

[jhulmer]

Originally Posted by john61ct

They go by many names

Cable Glands / Cable Bushings / Cord Grip Connectors / Strain Relief

In marine usage as with Blue Sea, "clams"

+ one here! easy cheap fix.

https://www.grainger.com/product/HUB...onnector-2DPE5

[john61ct]

Not one size fits all.

All depends on diameter of the wiring (bundle) width range of the bulkhead, need for strain relief, etc.

Also when both ends already terminated, too big to pass through the conduit sometimes you need the split design.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by funjohnson

Spray foam works to fill the pvc around the wires too.

Matt

Yep. Go to the home center and you will find foam made for just this purpose in cans with spouts designed to put the foam where it is needed.

Most modern building codes require that holes drilled for wires or pipes be sealed to prevent the passage of fire or fumes.

Sometimes it's best to use a product designed and manufactured for the purpose at hand rather than using something else.

BTW: I said "drilled". Whenever wires pass through a hole, they need bushings in the hole to protect the wires from chafe. This wouldn't hurt for water pipes or hoses either. Drill the hole. insert the bushing, insert the wires or pipes, then spray the foam.

[buzzstar]

Water tight? Other than the hull? Which itself has holes. On boats that most of us have? Really?

[Dave22q]

Many ways to skin this particular cat but they all boil down the same thing: to make a hole, run your wire, pipe or whatever, apply sealant. I agree 5200 a poor sealant choice, no flex and hard to remove. There are many water proof sealants available depending on the specifics of the environment (UV exposure, etc).
I also agree that if the bulkhead is thick or has a core, it would be best to seal a permanent conduit to the wall then run your wires through it and seal as above. That will protect your wall core from moisture.

[john61ct]

If you aren't worried about water from one side entering from the other, no seal needed.

It's the strain relief and preventing movement, chafing damaging the wire that are the real concerns.

Using the purpose-built device is best, the waterproofing is just a side effect.