Yes, I use split nuts on board. In fact, I have some of them on the 12 VDC buss lines connecting 00 wires together.
But to use them on the offstickers would require either removing the insulation all the way around the 00 wires, a job I would not want to do, or using very large split nuts, large enough to go around the insulation which, because of the softness of the insulation, would not tighten up hard. It just wasn't necessary, neither was a spiral clamp. My offstickers are well soldered, both the offsticker and the 00 wire well wetted out and the offsticker attached with sufficient heat and lots of solder for a generous fillet as previously described and carefully inspected afterwards. The offstickers are stiff, short (about six inches or less), and well supported at both ends. I have absolutely no qualms about their security and safety. In addition, I have had the experience of clamped joints using stranded wire loosening up in time, I suppose from movement due to temperature changes, the strands seem to "settle in". After a few weeks I go back and retighten clamped stranded wire joints. I have more faith in soldered stranded wire joints than in clamped stranded wires. I have had zero problems with any of my soldered offstickers. As for electrolytic problems between the copper, solder and stainless hose clamp, I would feel quite comfortable with such a well taped joint using self-fusing tape anywhere inside the boat above the splash zone. Norm S/V Bandersnatch Lying Julington Creek 30 07.695N 081 38.484W > [Original Message] > From: Arild Jensen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[email protected]> > Date: 7/24/2008 9:07:34 PM > Subject: Re: [Liveaboard] 12 VDC buss > > Norm of Bandersnatch wrote: > > > > If you have any qualms about the mechanical security of the > > soldered-on offstickers you could install a stainless spiral clamp > > over the soldered-on offsticker then wrap everything up with > > electrical tape. > > REPLY > I have reservations about mixing metals. Especailly those spiral > stainless steel clamps. > However the power utility industry and electrical contractors generally > have a very good solution in stead.. > Called "split nuts" or "Burndy nuts" by many trade electricians > there is a phosphor bronze fastener ideally suited for this > appllication. > It consist of a large diameter stud with a hex head one end and a nut > with a captive pressure block fitting over the end. > A slot is cut into the large stud or bolt stem to fit over the cables. > The captive pressuer shoe slides in this slot. > You place the main power cable into the slot and then the tap-off tail. > on top. Then tighten down the nut with the pressure shoe. > This was for a long time the preferred way to make a Tee tap for a > house drop from the street distribution lines. > After tightening up the nut and bolt you wrapped the whole in self > amalgamating rubber butyl tape for a weatherproof seal that had mor > einsulation than th eactual conductor does. > > In the utility company I work for we used them for street lighting > some above ground splices. > For larger ampacity circuits and underground splices we did use the AMP > tool with an impact gun. > > regards > Arild > > > _______________________________________________ > Liveaboard mailing list > [email protected] > To adjust your membership settings over the web http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard > To subscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ > > To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html _______________________________________________ Liveaboard mailing list [email protected] To adjust your membership settings over the web http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard To subscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html
