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Old 15-01-2021, 13:02   #1
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What is this heavy copper cable?

My Bayfield 29c has these heavy copper cables connected to the thing...not sure what it's called when it's inside the hull...that the shroud attaches to. They are on both the port and starboard sides. Would it be grounding? Maybe lightening protection? I can't get to the boat now due to Covid travel restrictions, but I'd like to get opinions so I can know if I need to do further investigation when I get back there.
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Old 15-01-2021, 13:15   #2
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Re: What is this heavy copper cable?

Yes, it looks like a lightning mitigation downconductor bonding/grounding wire, from the chainplates (pictured), probably to an immersed ground plate(s), because (I believe) the keel is encapsulated , on the Bayfield 29.
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Old 15-01-2021, 13:18   #3
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Re: What is this heavy copper cable?

Hi Gord, thanks for the response. Yes, the keel is encapsulated. So would the grounding plate be in the keel, on the outside of the keel, on the hull somewhere and painted over (so I haven't seen it)?
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Old 15-01-2021, 13:24   #4
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Re: What is this heavy copper cable?

Those round things look like speakers to play music for the barnacles.
https://www.pyiinc.com/sonihull/
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Old 15-01-2021, 13:31   #5
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Re: What is this heavy copper cable?

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Originally Posted by and4ew View Post
Hi Gord, thanks for the response. Yes, the keel is encapsulated. So would the grounding plate be in the keel, on the outside of the keel, on the hull somewhere and painted over (so I haven't seen it)?
I have a bronze plate bolted onto the hull from the bilge just above the keel. The cable connects to one of the bolts on the inside.
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Old 16-01-2021, 10:16   #6
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Re: What is this heavy copper cable?

For questions about Bayfields you might also want to contact Mike Gozzard at Mike@Gozzard.com. His dad, Ted, built the Bayfields and then took the design upmarket to the Gozzard line. Mike now runs the company and is extremely knowledgeable about both lines. The cable is most likely the rigging lightning ground. JMHO
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Old 16-01-2021, 10:16   #7
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Re: What is this heavy copper cable?

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Originally Posted by GordMay View Post
Yes, it looks like a lightning mitigation downconductor bonding/grounding wire, from the chainplates (pictured), probably to an immersed ground plate(s), because (I believe) the keel is encapsulated , on the Bayfield 29.
A second on this. You will find an immersed ground plate.
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Old 16-01-2021, 10:21   #8
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Re: What is this heavy copper cable?

I recommend to investigate and follow the cables to inspect their attachment points. Also, take the terminals off the chainplates and ground plates and clean it all for good contact before connecting tight.
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Old 16-01-2021, 10:41   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GordMay View Post
Yes, it looks like a lightning mitigation downconductor bonding/grounding wire, from the chainplates (pictured), probably to an immersed ground plate(s), because (I believe) the keel is encapsulated , on the Bayfield 29.
Hurray for Gord and the term "lightning mitigation". Closer to the truth than " lightning protection". We should have shifted to that term years back.


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Old 16-01-2021, 13:35   #10
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Re: What is this heavy copper cable?

Looks like part of a lightning protection system to me. Do not remove it.
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Old 16-01-2021, 15:24   #11
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Re: What is this heavy copper cable?

I would like to from anybody who has had lightning protection such as this that has been struck by lightning. Did it do any good when after all there is so energy in lightning that it makes me wonder if those tiny little cables would be enough to defuse that energy?
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Old 16-01-2021, 18:04   #12
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Re: What is this heavy copper cable?

Just as an FYI for lightning I think of “heavy cable” as a conductor at least as big around as your thumb. And as straight as possible.

It could be bonding and lightning mitigation though.

Lightning is a reminder we are puny.
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Old 16-01-2021, 18:29   #13
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Re: What is this heavy copper cable?

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I would like to from anybody who has had lightning protection such as this that has been struck by lightning. Did it do any good when after all there is so energy in lightning that it makes me wonder if those tiny little cables would be enough to defuse that energy?
They don’t defuse energy. They channel it to ground instead of the strike choosing it’s own path, which often pokes holes in fiberglass hulls.

6 AWG is considered good iirc
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Old 16-01-2021, 19:24   #14
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Re: What is this heavy copper cable?

I just re-read my previous post, terrible. I was asking if anyone that had experienced a lightning strike who had this type of grounding could report on the effectiveness of a small wire to mitigate damage.
I have spoken with people who worked in the lightning protection industry and they told me it was useless and may have even caused damage by it attracting lightning.
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Old 16-01-2021, 19:35   #15
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Re: What is this heavy copper cable?

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I just re-read my previous post, terrible. I was asking if anyone that had experienced a lightning strike who had this type of grounding could report on the effectiveness of a small wire to mitigate damage.
I have spoken with people who worked in the lightning protection industry and they told me it was useless and may have even caused damage by it attracting lightning.
No, it does not attract lightning. I've done a number of lightning strike investigations and yes they are pretty much useless as 3,000,000volts at 30,000amps and moving at 270,000mph will vaporize that conductor in an instant.
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