Holding Wires Down

journey on · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:29 am Post subject: Holding Wires Down

I am happy, happy, happy.

I found a new way to tie down wires, to keep them from flopping around.

I installed a new depth sounder, a $82 Humminbird to back up the main one (which doesn't like turbulent water.) Plus $25 for the extension cable.

As usual, running the transducer cable up from the rear was a bear, port side, past the AC inlet, under the hot water heater, etc. etc. But I found a nice place to mount the display, also port side (so Judy can easily read it,) on the dash, right under the center window. And this meant that I had to run the cable and power cord on the dash, one coming from the port side, the other from the starboard.

So that's settled, now how do I tie those cables down? Instead of drilling holes for screws and a clamp, I finally thought of VELCRO. I had some with sticky sides to bond to some object you wanted to hold AND a mounting surface. So I cut a 1” X 1/2” length of both hook and loop, pressed the hook on the dash, laid the wire on top of that, and then covered it with the loop stuff. Worked great, holds the wire like a champ AND is removable. Hole-less.

Not Earth shattering, don't think it's original but it simplifies a lot of wiring.

Boris

Sarge · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:37 pm Post subject:

Boris,

Sometimes the best solutions aren't always the most obvious. I'm a big fan of Velcro and double-sided sticky tape to do the work of drills and holes and patching. Good job!

-Sarge

p.s. - somehow reading Boris' comment made me think of the millions of dollars NASA spent on creating a pen that would work for astronauts in zero gravity, whereas the Russians just used a pencil.

journey on · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:44 pm Post subject:

I worked with NASA most of my career, and yes, some Russians are smarter than NASA. (Though I was made in the USA>)

Boris

BrentB · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:24 pm Post subject:

These are used in many applications
http://www.weldmountsystem.com/

Good one on using a pencil

Aurelia · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:38 pm Post subject:

I use adhesive backed cable tie mounts from the electrical section at home depot. They are cheap and stick really well to a variety of surfaces and I have never had one come off. They do come off nicely with a little persuasion when you need them to. No holes....

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/185306.aspx

thataway · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:59 pm Post subject:

The biggest problem with any of these is the adhesive. At least here in the South--when it gets hot, the adhesive is the first thing to let go... If that happens, then use some super sticky or epoxy etc to get that putty to adhere and stay there.

rogerbum · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:11 pm Post subject:

localboy · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:44 pm Post subject:

If you want a really clean install, get some of this sleeving:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#sleeving/=boyiqm

I got the "expandable mesh", "standard" in white in various sizes.

I bought a bunch and am running all my installs (wires) through them before attaching them via whatever means.

centerisland · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:04 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 3:55 pm Post subject:

Even with the mesh, ABYC calls for support every xx inches--depending on the size and weights of the cables.