Strain relief for anchor light wire?

[Cool Beans]

This is question. . .6? of 462 I think :dance:

Thanks for your patience

See picture below. I found a "new" opened Perko anchor light at the local chandler ($30 )that is more up to date than the original plastic dome that was up there. . .didn't notice any strain relief in the aluminum tube the light bolted too. . .wire was taught when I pulled it out a bit, so I assume it had just been hanging from the fixture There is a conduit that runs in the mast, but no way to get inside and tie anything down. . .hence this post. . .

Any suggestions or ideas on how to clench the wire down so it isn't hanging from the fixture?

 

[Snotter]

I had that exact problem for the past 3 years; I forgot to add strain relief. With the mast down, I was finally able to fix it. What I did was use a heat shrink tube down the wires from the fixture. I then drilled ant tapped a 1/4-20 hole near the bottom of the aluminum pole and screwed a nylon 1/4-20 screw in so that it bottomed out on the far side of the pole. I worked the wires from the light down the pole so that the two wires straddle the nylon screw. The heat shrink, reinforced with a nylon tie, rests on the nylon screw and will support the weight of the wire. I used a good ratchet crimper to connect 55' of duplex wire to the wires from the light. The crimp connectors must support the weight of the wires.

The above approach is just one way of doing it. Another way wood be to cram cork up the end of the pole to impinge the wires; or, wedge a wood sliver up the pole and tighten the nylon screw against it..

Hope this gives you some ideas.

 

[dscribner]

I'm not sure of the question but it seems to me if you simply split the wire and tied a reef knot, you'd be fine. For mine, I shrink rapped the wires, then milked a yatch braid cover over it to protect from UV and to give it strength. The hole in the mast was on the side, so a snap in plastic strain relief worked great!

 

[FourPoints]

what about something like this?
http://www.markertek.com/Cable-Mana...le-Straps-Slings-Hangers/Whirlwind/HG-1.xhtml

 

[kenn]

The best approach is to secure the wire running up the mast somewhere INSIDE the mast top or masthead, with generous tails (6" or more) left for splicing. That way, you are not relying on a lightweight anchor light fixture for strain relief.

If you can't get inside, either drill a large enough hole that you can get that access, or clamp the wire to the exterior at the masthead. I would still try to drill a hole (1/2" or 5/8") that would allow me to stuff excess wire back into the mast.

I used a good ratchet crimper to connect 55' of duplex wire to the wires from the light. The crimp connectors must support the weight of the wires.

Ouch. It's never a good idea to rely on electrical connections for strain relief. Also against ABYC and most other electrical codes.