Clipper 343 Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 I have anchor winch cables and nav light wires i need to replace, but they are well glued into a conduit by expanding foam of some kind, presumably to stop leaks. Any ideas on how to remove them? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,233 Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 Depends on the foam. Some can be dissolved with acetone or mek, some must be mechanically removed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kick Ass 47 Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 Must be a 1050 thing, I did full re wire in Kick but abandoned replacing anchor winch wires as I had no clue of how to get them out! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CarpeDiem 430 Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 12 hours ago, Clipper said: I have anchor winch cables and nav light wires i need to replace, but they are well glued into a conduit by expanding foam of some kind, presumably to stop leaks. Any ideas on how to remove them? Depending on access (and how much mess you want to make) I have succeeded at breaking expanding foam away with a high powered water blaster. A bit like the way drains get unblocked. I can supply popcorn and beer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wheels 543 Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 Not a good idea sealing cables in such foam. As is obvious from the initial post, but also that often such foams do not stop water and only cause the Cables to become dangerously hot. Most of those foams will not dissolve in anything and anything worth trying will dissolve the conduit first anyway, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Clipper 343 Posted March 20, 2021 Author Share Posted March 20, 2021 So for an update. Acetone did indeed damage the conduit, which i had to rip out, and now need to replace. 3-4 hours all up (just removing the wires) should have gone full destruction mode at the beginning and saved time. Ended up damaging the switch wires and nav light wires with all the pulling, so even more to redo. Expanding foam will not be used again! Now to fix the blocked toilet while i get new cables made up... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,581 Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 Blocked toilets - if hoses are blocked throw them away and replace. Same for all other components. Not worth the effort trying restore. And thank you for teaching me a new phrase - full destruction mode. I like that. At the upcoming haulout I need to remove a through hull. I think a hole saw will be easier than spanners and hammers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vivaldi 53 Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 1 hour ago, Black Panther said: Blocked toilets - if hoses are blocked throw them away and replace. Same for all other components. Not worth the effort trying restore. And thank you for teaching me a new phrase - full destruction mode. I like that. At the upcoming haulout I need to remove a through hull. I think a hole saw will be easier than spanners and hammers. If you have a blank for the through hull - or put a wooden plug in and cut it off flush, then you can use a hole saw just slightly smaller than the through hull so you then easily pull out the remainder. Or if the new hole / fitting is going to be slightly larger you can just drill to that size. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,581 Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 Wooden plug. I was going to go one size bigger then it should fall out???if I go smaller won't it be difficult to position the the hole saw? Happy to hear advice before I start drilling. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dtwo 157 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Bronze through hull? I just ground mine from the outside. You can then use the hole again if you need. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,581 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Nylon definitely want to plug it up. Plywood boat so no problem drilling a new hole but I prefer as few as possible. This was from a 3rd toilet I deemed unnecessary. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vivaldi 53 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 7 hours ago, Black Panther said: Wooden plug. I was going to go one size bigger then it should fall out???if I go smaller won't it be difficult to position the the hole saw? Happy to hear advice before I start drilling. Yeah if you’re just getting rid ofit then the same size or slightly bigger to drill it out - the key is to have something blocking up the hole that the guide bit can drill into to stabilise the hole saw. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,581 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Good thinking. I have been stewing over that. Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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