How Do You Pull Wire Through A Pulpit???

[Rick D]

OK, so in the first photo is an image of the underside running lights wire feed into the bow pulpit. I cannot get a hand in there. the good news is that it looks like a tube runs through the deck so the wire should not be stuck with 5200.

The second photo shows the small wire tube going from below deck to the pulpit. The third shot shows the layout of the pulpit and the fourth shows how the wire exits the pulpit for the running lights.

So it seems to me that to replace the (non-marine grade) wire in the pulpit, I first have to remove all the bolts from the pulpit and then gain access to that feeder tube. This is where I get lost.There MUST be a trick to pulling wire through a pulpit. I can use the old wire, but given its delicate condition, I don't trust it very much. So, I could use a wire puller, but the end is too large, so I would have to cut it off. But, even if I do that, how the heck do I get it out of the small exit hole?? Magnet?

Some folks must do this all the time. Looking for suggestions!

 

[kloudie1]

I have heard of folks using a big cotton wad and fishing string as a messenger.. put a vacuum cleaner on the big end (after you remove the pulpit) plug the other openings except the one at the exit. put the cotton ball with string tied into the hole and catch it at the big end. OR use an air compressor to blow it from the small hole to the exit, with the others plugged. The problem is that there can be some weld slag inside that will catch the cotton and not let it pass.. You can also use a lead shot fishing weight that will fit through the small hole with the messenger thread squeezed on (split shot weight) .. by tilting and manipulating the pulpit, you can work the weight out the desired hole.. then pull a heavier messenger then pull a well greased (silicone grease or Super Lube) wire carefully through. Good Luck.

 

[Roadking Larry]

Fish tape/fish wire. Flexible wire or fiberglass leader fed through the conduit/pipe then the wire is attached to the fish tape and pulled back through.

 

[Rick D]

Fish Tape A Non-Starter

I thought about fish tape and i have one with the end cut off, but it has a 90 degree turn from that tube and then has to wrap around back about 160 degrees. Then, how the heck do I get it through the small hole if I am lucky enough to get that far???

 

[foolproof]

Be sure to use plenty of wire lube. Should be available at home stores or electrical supply places.

 

[Ken Cross]

Several ways and sometimes none of them work.

Along with the ones listed above tie a small nylon braided string to the old wire and pull it through by pulling the old wire out. Secure the new wire with the nylon pull string. (The string is called "lockstitch" in the aviation world. You may be able to get some at your local small aircraft maintenance place (Fixed Base Operator.) You should only need a few yards. When I pull in a difficult wire I usually also pull in an additional new pull cord and leave it there in case I need to add a wire someday.

Second way: I use a welding rod intended for gas welding. They are small diameter, really stiff, and relatively cheap. You can get them at your local welding supply store. Just tape the new wire to the rod once the rod goes through the trouble spot. To route the rod in you can bend it as you go to make it go through the appropriate contortions.

Best of luck
Ken

 

[Ron20324]

SS being not magnetic... tie a small string to a steel nut or ball. Use a magnet to guide the nut through the pulpit. Use the small string to pull a stronger one, then use that to pull the wire.

I wonder if you use a floatable bead tied to a small string, if you inset it at the highest point (light?) then flush it downhill with a garden hose?

 

[onecoolair]

OK, so in the first photo is an image of the underside running lights wire feed into the bow pulpit. I cannot get a hand in there. the good news is that it looks like a tube runs through the deck so the wire should not be stuck with 5200.

The second photo shows the small wire tube going from below deck to the pulpit. The third shot shows the layout of the pulpit and the fourth shows how the wire exits the pulpit for the running lights.

So it seems to me that to replace the (non-marine grade) wire in the pulpit, I first have to remove all the bolts from the pulpit and then gain access to that feeder tube. This is where I get lost.There MUST be a trick to pulling wire through a pulpit. I can use the old wire, but given its delicate condition, I don't trust it very much. So, I could use a wire puller, but the end is too large, so I would have to cut it off. But, even if I do that, how the heck do I get it out of the small exit hole?? Magnet?

Some folks must do this all the time. Looking for suggestions!

OK I'll bite..... Small washer...Fishing line a strong Magnet a thin welding rod with a small hook on the end...Shop vac/high preasure air pump basically a combination of all.... Magnet can help direct washer in different directions and hook can help pull washer out of small hole.... . The washer is good because you can hear or feel it clank against the inside of rail tubing as you progress.... Good Luck!

 

[Herrick18911]

Here's an idea: use a steel pull chain that is for a lamp that connects to twine. Use a magnet to guide it through the pulpit. Then attach the wire to the twine. The twine should be lighter and more flexible than the wire so it should be easier to pull with the magnet.

Tod

 

[Chris Patterson]

I'd push it through the small hole first, then feed it down and reconnect it.

 

[DougM]

The cotton ball and string trick with the vacuum cleaner works like a charm. feed the wad through the small hole in the rail and apply vacuum at the opposite end. works particularly well if going around corners. I used this method frequently when pulling electronics wiring into,the pedestal console. For straight runs, the use of a length of sash chain or pull chain works also as suggested.

I have used a length of sash chain on a chalk line to drop inside the mast from the masthead to pull antenna wiring as well.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Rick,

Since I think you have LED nav lights you can rewire with smaller gauge wiring- much more flexible and not as bulky as the original wires. I am conflicted whether it would be better to use duplex wire where you have just one cable to pull or to use individual wires.

 

[Ken Cross]

Before you try any of the others, see if the existing wire will move. If so tie the lockstitch to it and pull. All the others require the old wire to be out of the way. If that doesn't work, then you use the other methods.

Using the welding rod: Don't put a hook on the end. Just route it through then overlap it with the wire an inch or so and tape the wire to it and pull it through.

 

[Rick D]

Conflicted too..

Rick,

Since I think you have LED nav lights you can rewire with smaller gauge wiring- much more flexible and not as bulky as the original wires. I am conflicted whether it would be better to use duplex wire where you have just one cable to pull or to use individual wires.

I was thinking I'd like to have duplex for the additional chafe resistance. I can probably use a smaller gauge since I am running LED's and in any event, it must be better than corroded wire. I still can't believe the jobber supplied non tinned wire. Of course, it did last almost 20 years.

 

[tomgrigsby]

I recommend put new wire in from the bottom up so that you don't have to pull the entire length of your wire through the pulpit or have an extra connection down below. Use the existing wire as a pull string. Attach small line or single wire as a pull string to the existing wire. Try to overlap at least 6 inches and tape the overlap as smoothly as possible, trying to minimize outside diameter so it'll fit through the small hole. Don't want it too rigid lengthwise either so it can make the 90 degree turn. Have someone down below gently pull, while someone up above feeds the wire/pull wire into the pulpit. Basically only pull out the slack that has been fed in topside. Go easy as that 90 degree angle at the deck tube to stantion point will chafe and bind. You'll almost be "pushing" the wire through, vice "pulling." You may only get an inch or two at a time, but that's fine, just be patient and don't try to horse it. Once your messenger line is out below deck, attach new wire to it as above. Use a jacketed cable, and as others have mentioned, with LED you can go smaller on conductor size. Feed from the bottom, VERY gently pull at top - basically only pull the slack that your helper has fed in. Good luck! Oh, and I'd be wary of fishing line and the like due to probable sharp edges internally at that 90.

 

[onecoolair]

Here's an idea: use a steel pull chain that is for a lamp that connects to twine. Use a magnet to guide it through the pulpit. Then attach the wire to the twine. The twine should be lighter and more flexible than the wire so it should be easier to pull with the magnet.

Tod

Now that's a Cool idea! ....Steel "Bead Chain"....and a Magnet.

 

[capta]

If the wire is still there, use it to pull a messenger through. Going to LED running lights will decrease the load and you can use much lighter wire, also easing the work.

 

[kenn]

I either pull a new wire or a length of string with the old wire, or I use a fish-tape. I haven't found many boat situations where that wouldn't work.

I ran new wire into our pulpit for a bow nav light and it was fairly easy.

 

[Rick D]

Thanks Everyone For Some Very Creative Suggestions

I may wait until fall for this job. I will pull the pulpit off and the first try will be to use the wire as a lead, pushing and pulling. If that does work, I will try the steel fan cord and a magnet, and then a cotton ball with a vacuum. Terrific ideas all. Also, thanks to all of you that gave me some hints chasing the nav light issue. i certainly didn't think it would be the ground wire itself! Especially, that it was rotten after the stripped end. Just goes to show ya that you can teach an old dog new tricks.