new electrical set-up

[Mike Whalen]

I've posted that all the wiring on my boat goes straight tot he battery terminals. I am now in possession of two bus bars, two 32 inch cables to run from battery to bars and the round connectors to attach wires to bars. I plan to mount the bars just inside the starbord side cockpit lokcer against the bulkhead. Rather than drill and screw these in to the glass I'm thinking of gluing a piece of 3/4 inch plywood to the bulkhead and then screwing the bars into the plywood. Any problems or do I need to get over my fear of THE DRILL. Hoping to do it this weekend. Any suggestions on glue? I'm checking out the suggetions on the mast/main responses.Thanks,Mike

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Nope.

Mike -There is no reason that what you propose wouldn't work - just make sure you get good adhesion. On my boat, however, I would want to through-bolt just to be sure.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[RichJ]

1 more step

Mike,If I may suggest 1 or 2 more steps,1st, when I use "Butt connectors" I always use heat-shrink tubing over the connector and wire, it helps keep out moisture.2nd, I also coat the terminal strip screws with "Liquid electrical tape" also to keep out moisture.(you could use the liquid tape in lieu of heat shrink)may sound a bit anal, buy I havent had a corrosion problem with my connections in years, something to think about. anyway, Good luckRichJ

 

[Rich]

How bout a suggestion or so more...

As far as the plywood is concerned, I would strongly recommend that you consider wetting out/encapsulating the plywood in unthickened epoxy before attaching it. This may be excessively anal but plywood and moisture-laden environments like a boat don't complement each other. The plywood may hold up for a while but, in time, bare plywood or even painted plywood will absorb moisture and begin to delaminate. It only takes a little while and a little patience to coat the wood--then it'll probably last as long as your boat and be one less thing to worry about down the line.As far as glue, 3M 5200 will give you an equally "lifelong" bond between the wood and the bulkhead. However, as you seem to be somewhat "experimental" regarding position, mounting location, etc., I would suggest not using 5200--yet. Use a couple of stainless steel wood screws to hold the plywood to the bulkhead for while (I am assuming the bulkhead you are referring to is NOT the hull's side). If you try it for a while (i.e., a month or so), it works for you and you don't come up with an even better place/idea, then whip out the 5200, glue it on and you've already got the ss screws to help hold it in place while the 5200 sets and cures.Good LuckRichs/v TIME BANDIT, OD'22

 

[Jim]

Electrical Setup

Mike: I mounted two buses in the same location directly to the glass by through-bolting (also a battery charger). You really don't need the wood, but if you do it I would not recommend gluing it. Jim