Leaving old cables & wiring in inaccessible areas.

[Scott T-Bird]

I removed my old charger yesterday. I disconnected 2 Pos and 1 Neg 4 AWG DC cables and the AC wiring as well. Problem is that lengths of the cables and wires are inaccessible and I wasn't able to pull them completely out. I cut off the accessible lengths on both ends but left what I couldn't pull in the recesses of the boat. Could this ever lead to problems?

 

[JoeWhite]

It may not cause problems, but I would pull them out. If you have enough length left over to grab one end, heat the cabin with a space heater so that the plastic insulation had softened then try to pull out. I will imagine you need the space for new cables.

 

[dlochner]

That’s what I do. There could interfere with running future wires. Don’t think they’ll sink your boat. Cut them short enough so the next owner knows they were abandoned in place.

 

[jssailem]

Some times the build process has the wires attached to the boat using wire ties. This means they stay put - no chafe hazard. Yet they are not removable is done in a non access area.

 

[All U Get]

They are removable with the right tools.

 

[LloydB]

Doing that doesn't meet code so the next time you have it surveyed just tell the surveyor to ignore it because it's not connected.

 

[Ward H]

If I had to leave them in place I’d zip tie them together and tag them as abandoned. I’d like to think I’d seal the ends in case there is a future use for them.
Just be sure you cut the right wires at the other end!

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Just be sure you cut the right wires at the other end!

Ha, I still have work to do to make sure I don't disconnect the wrong wires at the AC panel. The white outer jacket of the triplex cable was removed and the wires separated below the cabinet and the whites and greens are all bunched for their respective terminal blocks so I can't tell which ones are which (the black goes obviously to the switch). I'll have to test resistance with the multi-meter to disconnect the correct white and green wires. Unless there is an easier way to do it ... It looks like removing material below the cabinet to get viewing access may be a much bigger job than I want.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

They are removable with the right tools.

A chainsaw?

 

[Scott T-Bird]

It may not cause problems, but I would pull them out. If you have enough length left over to grab one end, heat the cabin with a space heater so that the plastic insulation had softened then try to pull out. I will imagine you need the space for new cables.

New charger is going in a different location. My original problem was that the 4 awg cables are not sized correctly (due to length of run) for an upgraded charger. I knew that removing and replacing larger cables in the same run would not be feasible. Ironically, the new location for the charger is much closer to the batts and 4 awg cables will suffice. AC wires from panel to charger will also be a new route.

 

[dlochner]

Doing that doesn't meet code so the next time you have it surveyed just tell the surveyor to ignore it because it's not connected.

Which code? Can you provide a reference to the code?

 

[dlochner]

They are removable with the right tools.

Wiring and plumbing is often installed before the interior of the boat is installed, especially with production boats that use molded interiors. The builders will often secure the cables and hose without regard to accessibility when the boat is finished. Been down this road with wires and hoses.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Wiring and plumbing is often installed before the interior of the boat is installed, especially with production boats that use molded interiors. The builders will often secure the cables and hose without regard to accessibility when the boat is finished. Been down this road with wires and hoses.

I'm thinking Tom had something else in mind. He might suggest a come-along winch could be useful! We're thinking too delicately!

 

[jviss]

Doing that doesn't meet code so the next time you have it surveyed just tell the surveyor to ignore it because it's not connected.

Quote the code. You're saying abandoned wires violate ABYC, or NFPA, or something?

 

[jviss]

I know it's too late, but I would have left the full length, taped the ends, coiled them up, and left them. You never know, you might want a wire from here to there some day.

 

[dlochner]

I'm thinking Tom had something else in mind. He might suggest a come-along winch could be useful! We're thinking too delicately!

Well, brute force has its advantages and disadvantages. A come-a-long might pull the wires out, but what else would it damage?

On my Sabre, the builders secured the exhaust hose with a wire tie and then put the fuel tank over the wire tie. In order to remove the hose, the yard had 2 big guys twist the hose until it collapsed then it could be pulled out. The wire tie remains buried beneath the fuel tank. I don't think that will work with the cable. Leave it, it won't hurt anything.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I know it's too late, but I would have left the full length, taped the ends, coiled them up, and left them. You never know, you might want a wire from here to there some day.

Not a bad thought and not entirely too late. The AC wires are still useful. I managed to remove about half the length of the DC cables. I don't think there is any chance that the run I couldn't access will be useful. However, the run I did remove leaves a nice open conduit from underneath the panel on the port side, through the bilge to the area under the saloon seat on stbd. It will be useful when running new AC wires to the new charger location from the panel. You just stimulated that thought process, so .... thanks!

 

[jviss]

Not a bad thought and not entirely too late. The AC wires are still useful. I managed to remove about half the length of the DC cables. I don't think there is any chance that the run I couldn't access will be useful. However, the run I did remove leaves a nice open conduit from underneath the panel on the port side, through the bilge to the area under the saloon seat on stbd. It will be useful when running new AC wires to the new charger location from the panel. You just stimulated that thought process, so .... thanks!

My boat has lots of abandoned wire. I don't know where all of it goes yet, but i'm leaving it in place, just in case. It's all DC wiring, and has been capped off with crimp butt connectors, and properly "dressed" - coiled, and out of the way.

 

[RoyS]

Often installers will tie wrap a bundle of wire together to keep them nice and straight while they pull them in. This is a mistake because you will never be able to pull one out and pull another in. You may find that you can pull the entire bundle out with a rope on the other end. Then use the rope to pull a modified bundle back without, of course, tie wraps.

 

[senang]

“.......Unless there is an easier way to do it ... “ You can find “wire tracer tone generators” if you want to identify wires with certainty. EB is one possibility for this, but many others exist.