Wiring Harness Wrapping?

[Roger Long]

I just cleaned my engine and part of that project turned into pulling out of yards of hardware store electrical tape on the wiring harness. Over the decades, it had turned into a slimy mess of plastic strips held together by that habit which keeps thing on old boats in place until someone touches them.

Because of the end fittings and plugs, heat shrink isn't practical on much of it. Is there an electrical tape that will stand up to the heat and oil of living next to an engine? Is there something better?

 

[kappykaplan]

Try a product called Rescue Tape.

http://www.rescuetape.com/?gclid=CJei0cCr_KgCFSBrgwodUTZVpQ

 

[kloudie1]

split wire loom stuff used in automotive applications under the hood.. http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/nylonwireloom.php
Should be available in local auto parts stores..

 

[kenn]

Seconding kloudie's recommendation for split loom. It's a cable harness AND it's protection, and it doesn't rely on an adhesive to stay in place. It's also easy to add/remove wires if the need ever arises.

 

[bria46]

I had the same problem with my electrical tape on the engine harness. I completely unrapped the electrical tape - very sticky, cleaned and inspected it, used paint thinner to clean off the sticky goo, re-taped the harness about every foot or so and then slid the entire engine harness thru a 3/4" non slit tube purchased at Cable ties & More.com

 

[RAD]

Here's another product I've been looking at from the same company Kloudie posted

http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/BraidedSleeving.phphttp://www.cabletiesandmore.com/BraidedSleeving.php

 

[Ross]

I have no idea the proper name but there is a product that starts out life in the form of a pvc strip and is formed into a helix tube. It is wrapped around the wire harness and branch wires are pulled aside at the appropriate points. Comes in several sizes and usually in nonpigmented or black. It is more convenient than using lacing tape and just as secure. It allows for relatively easy addition or subtraction of a wire.

Link: http://www.newark.com/jsp/content/printCatalog.jsp?display=single&cat=catalog128&page=1245

 

[woodster]

I have no idea the proper name but there is a product that starts out life in the form of a pvc strip and is formed into a helix tube. It is wrapped around the wire harness and branch wires are pulled aside at the appropriate points. Comes in several sizes and usually in nonpigmented or black. It is more convenient than using lacing tape and just as secure. It allows for relatively easy addition or subtraction of a wire.

Link: http://www.newark.com/jsp/content/printCatalog.jsp?display=single&cat=catalog128&page=1245

back in the day of motor cycles we use that stuff to wrap the break, gas, and clutch cables....i think we called it sprial wrap.......it does very well on wireing too.......

regards

woody

 

[kendall]

I've always been partial to lacing wire harnesses for several reasons, with a side benefit being that it's cheap.

It's reasonably fast, allows quick inspection, it's very easy to add wires to, or tap into, and extremely easy to relocate a 'drop' if you decide to move a fixture, there's no worry about getting the right size. I feel a major advantage is that being open, it will not hold water.

For hangers I use regular PVC water pipe, cut short lengths out then slit it and use a hair dryer, heat gun or propane torch to bend it into a 'J' shape with the bottom bent in a bit for spring. Longer lengths make troughs if I feel the need for them. (also use it as conduit when needed)

 

[Roger Long]

I picked up the Rescue Tape and am quite impressed with it. The plumbing guy, who hasn't steered me wrong yet, says that it's the real deal. It looks very similar to the amalgamating rigging tape, might even be the same stuff.

I tried it on a couple of the bare factory splices after first using liquid electrical tape, regular electrical tape, and another coat of liquid tape over. I think I could have just skipped the first three steps but they can't hurt.

This harness runs in a tight spot between the engine and bulkhead and I'm not likely to want to add anything to it so I think the tape is the best answer. For most other locations, the other suggestions above are what I would probably go with.