Internal Wire Clanging

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C

Craig

I have a problem with a lot of noise from the internal wires in the mast (VHF and masthead light). Does anyone know of a way to stop or at least quiet them a little.
 
B

Ben Allen

Wascally Wire Wattle

Hi Craig, Now is the time to plan a winter project that's easy to do and dosen't cost that much. Replace your wiring bundle in the mast, add a steaming/deck light combination if you don't already have one, and check your anchor light. With your mast unstepped, lay out the wires, one for each application and a ground. Tape and mark each wire as you pull the approiate length along the mast. Go ahead and spring for new VHF cable while you are at it. With everything pulled and taped to the outside of the mast, wrap then all together with electrical tape every 3 feet or so. Now comes the anti-clang process. Use 3 wire ties every 18". Put them on tight, but do not cut off the tail. Turn them so that a tail is pointing every 120 degrees. When you are finished, it will look like 30' of porcupine tail. Attach this to the bottom of your old wiring bundle and pull it through the mast. The wire tie tails will keep it centered inside the mast. Good luck, spring isn't that far off. Ben Allen Montgomery, AL "Latte Dah" O'Day 26 Sailing season just getting started here
 
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Craig

Thank You

Ben, Makes perfect sence! Thanks for giving me a nice quite night on the hook. -Craig
 
J

Josh

Is it that much of a problem?

Is the wire clanging that much of a problem? I have a 22, and am in the process of rewiring it myself. I didn't think about any need for a cushion to keep the wiring from rattling in the mast. I can understand how that would be rather annoying though. I would have to elarge the hole to feed the zipties and new wires up through the mast. Would this cause structual stability problems? Thanks, Josh
 
B

Ben Allen

Josh

Instead of enlarging your feed hole, remove the bottom plate, feed the wires through the base of the mast, then pull just the wires back through the feed hole. After this is done, put the base plate back on. Ben Allen
 
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Josh

That would require new rivots

Which might be a possibility. I have all winter to decide! Josh
 
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Craig

You'd be surprised

Josh, You'd be surprised how much noise wires clanging around inside the mast can make especially when your trying to sleep and the wind picks up! I didn't think it would make much of a difference either until it happened a few times. Craig
 
K

Ken

Worth the effort

My VHF cable in the mast was making quite a racket also so I did exactly the same as Ben Allen suggests, including adding a steaming/deck light and replacing the VHF cable. Works like a charm. Not a sound out of my mast anymore, even when the wind blows. Now if I could just get my neighbors at the marina to do the same I might get some sleep... Ken
 
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