Modern solution for electrical conduit

[ozdigennaro]

On my twenty-year-old boat, electrical wires are run through flexible black tubing. Looks like a good solution for protecting the wires from wear and for organization.
I cannot find that tubing for sale on the 'net.
Is it simply heat-shrin?k tubing? Sometimes not shrunk
Is the modern solution to use corrugated plastic tubing?

[tkeithlu]

Here's a run-down on types of flexible conduit in current use:

Four Types Of Flexible Conduit And Their Uses.

Here are the conduits and fittings:

https://www.mcmaster.com/flexible-conduit/

I'm not sure from your post just what you have or need. I suspect that a quick review ofwhat's available will let you head to your local building supply with a particular type in mind. Good luck with it.

[Matt Johnson]

Are you talking about a black smooth walled hose like PEX pipe, but with a much thinner wall thickness? I remember seeing this before in a few boats, but just assumed it was a foreign product that wasn't available locally.

[smac999]

Google non split loom.

[P3sailor]

If you're vessel is U.S. registered I would try to find what the U.S. Coast Guard specs are. I've known several who've done some mods to their vessels electrical system only to have the C.G. inform them that the work was incorrect. Also, we all know insurance company practices, if you have an electrical issue that damages or destroys your vessel the insurance company will do everything in its power to prove you've done something that caused the event. Better safe than sorry.

[zstine]

Originally Posted by P3sailor

If you're vessel is U.S. registered I would try to find what the U.S. Coast Guard specs are. I've known several who've done some mods to their vessels electrical system only to have the C.G. inform them that the work was incorrect. Also, we all know insurance company practices, if you have an electrical issue that damages or destroys your vessel the insurance company will do everything in its power to prove you've done something that caused the event. Better safe than sorry.

Insurance issues aside, the USCG has no authority on how you modify your boats electrical system. If you want to use solid core romex and wire nuts, you are free to do so.... it's not regulated/illegal.

[guyrj33]

It’s possible that the material you are referring to his black PVC tubing that was often times used to make cables.

[JBP]

You can get spilt loom from defender in what ever length you need. It is very tight, so there is no risk of the wires pulling out from the split.

[gbmacca]

I had wires hanging everywhere - as the boat had been rewired three times over a 60 year period. Tried all this stuff and finally, as it is heat treated to form angles etc - I now use computer cabling protectors or outer casings.
Inexpensive and easy to work with - has all different sizes, plus what I like is - you don't have to draw wiring through - just snap off the top and place your new cable in there. I tape them together to make this easier.
Cheers
Gbmacca

[CANDO597]

It is probably Split Loom:

[Lake-Effect]

Just about any plastic conduit or wire-run product should be ok to use on a boat. Behind electrical panels and anywhere there's a nexus of cables coming together then heading out, Panduit or equivalent does a nice job.

For wire runs that are mostly inaccessable, running a smooth seamless conduit is the best solution. They're easier to push a fish wire through, you can suck a thin string with a foam "mouse" through with a shop vac, and you can leave a string in there permanently, to use for pulling future wires through. You can't do this stuff with split loom.

[goboatingnow]

Personally other then mains which I conduit , I merely bundle dc wires and signal cables together and tie wrap as required.

[s/v Jedi]

The modern version of split loom is much, much better:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1