The wiring for my bow light came in two sections - one that went up through the bow pulpit and down thru the deck via a miniscule hole, then a connector, then a piece that ran the rest of the boat. This first section got pulled out (by an IDIOT) so I've been trying to run something thru there that I could tape the wires to and pull them thru. An electrician's snake is too big to fit thru the hole in the deck. A copper wire got all the way thru, but in the end was too flexible. The hole comes thru the deck in the space between the hull and the anchor well, so I can get my hand in there but can't really move it. SOmeone suggested taking the bow pulpit off. Can that be done? The screws have nuts on them (in that tiny space). I wouldn't be able to turn them. I really want to avoid drilling holes in my boat. What do you do when the damn bow light wires go? Take the boat apart? Argh! Thanks
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An Electrician trick
Not sure the size of the hole, but a light string with a yarn ball tied to the end, then you put the ball in the hole and use a shop vac to suck it thru. use the string to pull your wire, may i suggest a nylon string for strength and flexablity. The "ball" can be made like the rubber koozy balls if you know what im talking about, multiple pieces tied in the middle and trimmed in a ball shape.
Not sure the size of the hole, but a light string with a yarn ball tied to the end, then you put the ball in the hole and use a shop vac to suck it thru. use the string to pull your wire, may i suggest a nylon string for strength and flexablity. The "ball" can be made like the rubber koozy balls if you know what im talking about, multiple pieces tied in the middle and trimmed in a ball shape.
Michael, try
using the center wire from a manual choke cable. You can get them from an auto supply house. They are pretty stiff and thin if it is a relatively straight shot it should work.
using the center wire from a manual choke cable. You can get them from an auto supply house. They are pretty stiff and thin if it is a relatively straight shot it should work.
Michael, I surf here for ideas like yours but
I can't visualize what you are saying without a visual aid. Maybe just a verbal clarification?
I can't visualize what you are saying without a visual aid. Maybe just a verbal clarification?
Let me try this
Most of the time electricians use a ping pong ball with a string attached, what it is is imagine that the bow pulpit tube is an extension of the shop vac hose, you suck the ball thru the tube to come out where you want it to by putting the ball with string attached in one end, adn suck it thru to where you want it to come out. I use this to pull the string thru long runs of conduit 100' plus, works really well. you do need a good shop vac that has GOOD suction. So push the yarn ball in where you want to go in the tube and suck out where you want it to come out. Does that help?
Most of the time electricians use a ping pong ball with a string attached, what it is is imagine that the bow pulpit tube is an extension of the shop vac hose, you suck the ball thru the tube to come out where you want it to by putting the ball with string attached in one end, adn suck it thru to where you want it to come out. I use this to pull the string thru long runs of conduit 100' plus, works really well. you do need a good shop vac that has GOOD suction. So push the yarn ball in where you want to go in the tube and suck out where you want it to come out. Does that help?
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