Wiring Woes - Never Assume

[boater 86]

I would use finished plastic elect, boxes (home depot) on a boat, no chance of shock, Also, better looking. -- sv raggedy ann

[exMaggieDrum]

Agree with Donald. I have used these types of boxes all the time:

Bell 1-Gang Weatherproof Box 3 1/2 in. or 3/4 in. Outlets (5-Pack)-PSB37550WH - The Home Depot

You can use the plastic conduit threaded ends for strain relief, like these:

Carlon 1/2 in. PVC Male Adapter (15-Piece per Bag, 12 Bag per Case)-E943D15-UPC - The Home Depot

They fit in the knockouts on the boxes.

Or you can use these for circuit breakers:

Carlon 4 in. x 4 in. Junction Box-E987NR - The Home Depot

They are watertight with gaskets but you have to make sure whatever you put on the front is watertight too.

[Rainh2o2]

I am an EET not an electrician so forgive my ignorance. This post brings up a question for me. The flange type spade terminals vs the flat spade terminals. If a connection is going to work lose, wouldn't the flange spade terminals be more likely to cause intermittent connections by hanging onto the screw terminals while the flat terminals would just slide off?

Sent from my SM-T320 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[exMaggieDrum]

Originally Posted by Rainh2o2

I am an EET not an electrician so forgive my ignorance. This post brings up a question for me. The flange type spade terminals vs the flat spade terminals. If a connection is going to work lose, wouldn't the flange spade terminals be more likely to cause intermittent connections by hanging onto the screw terminals while the flat terminals would just slide off?

Sent from my SM-T320 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

That is indeed possible. I prefer the "snap on" flat spades myself as the flanged ones are sometimes hard to get on and off. If something works itself loose then the screw will eventually fall off. Should always tighten carefully and recheck when doing work in every area. Wiggling is a pretty good check in most cases. A ring terminal would also be a problem in that scenario too.