H27 cabin light wire run

[Manny]

So I need to cut a 5" hole through my cabin top to run my chimney through to the outside. Does anyone know where/how the wiring for the interior lights run though the liner? Where i'm thinking of cutting is almost in line with the head and v-berth light locations, and the rear most portside cabin light.

Thanks,

M

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

With Great Timidity .................

................. you can start with a small (1/2" to 3/4") hole within your proposed 5" hole, stick your finger in and feel around for wires. If there are any there, they can be pushed aside. One or two other small holes and you should have any and all wires out of the way.

And BTW, don't drill your small exploratory holes near the centre of your proposed 5" hole. You'll need that material to hold the pilot drill bit of your 5" hole saw.

Good luck, but I don't think you'll really need it in this case.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Alternatly you can trace the wires for the appliances and AC outlets forward of the proposed hole and confirm they don't run through that space. Most wiring runs along the gunnell that goes forward. The exception is the mast wiring which normaly runs along the gunnel till athortships the mast then turns inboard and the cabin center light which would normally follow the mast lighting loom but not always.

 

[Ed Schenck]

On the Cherubini only 12 volt wire runs overhead. Still best to have everything turned off. Only the pilot bit should be a concern and with a 1/4" bit the odds are low that you will hit the wire. Just score the liner with the hole saw until you can pull down the thin glass liner. Then you will be looking at the coring. Any wire will be somewhere in that air space between the liner and the plywood core.

 

[Ed H]

Any wire will be somewhere in that air space between the liner and the plywood core.

From the outside, I thought it went: fiberglass-plywood core-fiberglass-space-liner.Is that not right?...This weekend I was trying to run wires for fans and the "air space" above the liner didn't seem to contain much "air" or much "space". Ed H

 

[Ed Schenck]

My own experience with the overhead is limited. I've read everything from there is no air space to there is an inch between the core and the liner. What I think is probably most accurate is that it varies all over the map. You get separation from wet core, you get separation from mast step problems, and probably from poor build quality.

I lost the 12 volts to starboard lighting from the port side panel more than ten years ago. I forget how I determined it was the wire from the nav station light to the quarterberth light that had failed. I ran a jumper along the toerail from the panel to the quarterberth light to fix. Never went over the liner to look for it.

 

[David in Sandusky]

Confirming fiberglass under the liner

Our '77 h27 definitely goes liner (which is not attached to the deck sandwich) then fiberglass, balsa, fiberglass forming the deck. Wiring for the overhead lights runs between the liner and the deck sandwich.

 

[Benny17441]

I would not cut inspection holes nor try to rewire under the headliner. To replace or add any fixtures I would do a surface mount or reposition to the bulkhead and just run new wires along the inside cabin. You can now get attractive wire covers if any are needed.

 

[kloudie1]

In my old 34, the wires are between the liner and deck but are stuck in there with gobs of butyl to hold 'em in place. Found this when I cut a hole for the Xantrex remote indicator.. and cut a lighting wire pair. I was able to pull enough slack to solder them back together .. the butyl is still gooey and holding the wires after 27 years.. makes it impossible to use the old wires to pull new ones in..

 

[Manny]

So it sounds like I have a 50/50 chance of hitting the wire
This may sound off the wall, but has anybody ever tried using a stud sensor to locate wiring behind fiberglass? I have one that is supposed to detect wires (at least in a house), maybe that will work through the glass?
I've attached a picture of the proposed hole location. If you are familiar with the 27 you'll notice it's close to being inline with the lighting.

Thanks,

M

 

[Ed H]

I would not cut inspection holes nor try to rewire under the headliner. To replace or add any fixtures I would do a surface mount or reposition to the bulkhead and just run new wires along the inside cabin. You can now get attractive wire covers if any are needed.

I hate to admit it to these pros, but that is what I ended up doing.

 

[Redbeard33]

Solid fuel....interesting choice for a small boat, I plan on adding the same model in diesel somewhere down the road. Please post pictures of the installation process and your thoughts on it after.

 

[Manny]

Solid fuel....interesting choice for a small boat, I plan on adding the same model in diesel somewhere down the road. Please post pictures of the installation process and your thoughts on it after.

Not to hijack my own thread but... I saw it on ebay and didn't think I had a chance but it turned out I had the highest bid. It came with almost everything needed except the barometric damper. I really wanted to mount it down below the folding table to get it close to the floor but the whole table would need to be reengineered to make it work. That location is the best compromise I could come up with. It's surprising how much room that little tiny heater takes up inside the boat.

M