Ok wiring guru's....crosslinked marine grade wire?

[Czechsix]

I can easily find the marine grade wire, and I can easily find crosslinked wire, but I can't find marine grade with crosslinked insulation, preferably SXL grade.

Thoughts?

Between the two, if I can't find the combined article, I'm thinking I'll just go with the SXL wire, and use proper adhesive style heat shrink to seal the terminal connectors. At the least that'll give a better lifespan, maybe not as much corrosion resistance as fully tinned wire, but if it isn't out there, it isn't out there.

TIA

 

[spencyg]

I'm not sure I'm familier with crosslinked wire insulation. What is the benefit? I run all marine grade wire in my rig without any issues and use adhesive lined heat shring whenever making a connection.

Spence

 

[CharlieV]

Maybe try Kimball Midwest? I buy all my crosslinked wire from them.

 

[Czechsix]

I'm not sure I'm familier with crosslinked wire insulation. What is the benefit? I run all marine grade wire in my rig without any issues and use adhesive lined heat shring whenever making a connection.

Spence

Hi Spence - the benefit is crosslinked wire is much more abrasion and heat resistant than the standard PVC insulation. It's smoother and easier to pull, comes in various insulation thicknesses. It comes in SXL, GXL, and TXL grades (insulation thicknesses). Temp rating is -51 to +125c. It's rated to withstand continual temps of 125C (257F) without melting or fusing. I'm sure you've seen some wires that get hot, and the insulation drips off - that's PVC. I'm also sure you've seen wires get just as hot, insulation softens, but doesn't drip off. Returns to normal once heat is removed - that's crosslinked insulation.

Marine grade wire is temp rated to 105C (221F).

The standard wire found in stores is GPT, rated for -40 to +85C (185F).

So what I'd like is the corrosion resistance of the marine wire....and the heat resistance of the crosslinked insulation.

I might have to call some of the vendors and specifically ask, but I can't think of any reason this stuff shouldn't be available out there.

 

[Czechsix]

Maybe try Kimball Midwest? I buy all my crosslinked wire from them.

Thanks Charlie, I'll give them a shout. The other vendors I've tried don't carry it, DelCity, Allied, etc.

 

[THATSALEXUS?]

Are you actually wiring a boat, or just trying to be super overkill? My guess is if you can get it, you will need to buy it in pretty large quantities. I have used hundreds of thousands of feet of SXL and GXL over the years and have never had a problem with corrosion when properly terminated.

If you're looking for larger quantities, you might try Whitmor Wirenetics or Maney wire. Good luck in your quest.

 

[Czechsix]

Can I hedge the bet by saying I'm living in a coastal area

Yep, there's a element of overkill in this, but at the same time I've gone through one or two vehicle fires caused by electricals, and I'd rather not do that again. Since I'm going to be doing wiring, I'm just looking for the highest quality stuff out there, buy once cry once, etc. Quantities are ok, seems I usually get wire a minimum of a few hundred feet at a time, even if it's more than that I've got plenty of leeche...uh, friends that'll absorb the excess.

Thanks for the tip on Whitmore and Maney. I'm also checking Berkshire, still need to give them a call.

 

[Czechsix]

Maybe try Kimball Midwest? I buy all my crosslinked wire from them.

Have you got a direct link, or an item number? I'm coming up with exactly nothing listed for wire on their site.

Wire wheels, wire brushes, wire terminals, shrink tubing, etc.....but no wire or cable.