Something a little different. I leave my 30 amp yellow AC cable attached between dock-side and Liberty all season (Lake Ontario) except when sailing of course. The cable takes on a dirty, sticky appearance after a month or so in the UV. Cleaning it off is next to impossible. I guess I have had most success with stuf called "Goof Off", a petrolium based product purchased at the local hardware store. I am looking for an alternative product, and any suggestions on what to apply to the cable to help protect it once it is cleaned. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
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Bob Zolczer
There are 2 cable cleaners available
I know of two commercially available cable cleaners, one made by Starbrite and the other by SEMCO. I've used the Starbrite one with so-so results (probably due to not having cleaned the cable in 4 years). Both are available at BoatUS.
I know of two commercially available cable cleaners, one made by Starbrite and the other by SEMCO. I've used the Starbrite one with so-so results (probably due to not having cleaned the cable in 4 years). Both are available at BoatUS.
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Dennis
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David
AC Power Cable Cleaner
Ken, I recently cleaned my power cable after creosote from a shipyard bulkhead discolored the cable. I used acetone as recommended by a maintenance publication. It worked well. The same publication advised using acetone on rubber dock fenders also---I haven't tried it yet.
Ken, I recently cleaned my power cable after creosote from a shipyard bulkhead discolored the cable. I used acetone as recommended by a maintenance publication. It worked well. The same publication advised using acetone on rubber dock fenders also---I haven't tried it yet.
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Dan Arsenault
Try this
Try some Inflatable boat cleaner.It works great on the power cord and life lines. When your done use some 303 to protect them from the uv exposure. Star Brite works great. Does a good job on fenders also.
Try some Inflatable boat cleaner.It works great on the power cord and life lines. When your done use some 303 to protect them from the uv exposure. Star Brite works great. Does a good job on fenders also.
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Ken Palmer
Acetone wins
I bought a cleaner at West that is supposed to work on AC Cables. After cleaning a couple feet of cable, I tried acetone. What a difference! With the West cleaner I scrubbed and scrubbed, with mediocre results. With the acetone, the grime nearly melted away. I finished the job by washing with soap and water. Perhaps in the spring I'll coat with 303 for UV protection. Thanks for the suggestions. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
I bought a cleaner at West that is supposed to work on AC Cables. After cleaning a couple feet of cable, I tried acetone. What a difference! With the West cleaner I scrubbed and scrubbed, with mediocre results. With the acetone, the grime nearly melted away. I finished the job by washing with soap and water. Perhaps in the spring I'll coat with 303 for UV protection. Thanks for the suggestions. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
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Mark Johnson
Acetone makes..
the cords really sticky. It does a really good job of cleaning them, but they become real sticky and more difficult to clean in the future. MPJ
the cords really sticky. It does a really good job of cleaning them, but they become real sticky and more difficult to clean in the future. MPJ
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Allan Hadad
Cord Cover
A number of years ago I saw an ad from Hubbel for a power cord cover. It was a 50 foot long tube of braided yellow polypropylene that you slipped over the cord. I bought it for $19.00 at the time. It was easy to install, you just compress it like the old Chinese finger cuff (remember those things?) and it would slide over the molded ends of the cord. Actually the ad said you could put all of your cords inside it: power, tv, phone, etc. Once it is on, you smooth it out and it shrinks down nice and tight. Then you tape the ends so it can't ride up. The only drawback is that it makes the cord rather stiff and it coils up a little larger, but I haven't cleaned it since as there is no plasticizer in the polypropylene. No more deck mess. I don't know if this product is still available, but it is worth looking into Allan
A number of years ago I saw an ad from Hubbel for a power cord cover. It was a 50 foot long tube of braided yellow polypropylene that you slipped over the cord. I bought it for $19.00 at the time. It was easy to install, you just compress it like the old Chinese finger cuff (remember those things?) and it would slide over the molded ends of the cord. Actually the ad said you could put all of your cords inside it: power, tv, phone, etc. Once it is on, you smooth it out and it shrinks down nice and tight. Then you tape the ends so it can't ride up. The only drawback is that it makes the cord rather stiff and it coils up a little larger, but I haven't cleaned it since as there is no plasticizer in the polypropylene. No more deck mess. I don't know if this product is still available, but it is worth looking into Allan
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