Water Tight Wiring Harness....

3136 Views 25 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Capnredfish, Mar 13, 2019

FSUDrew99

Discussion Starter · Mar 9, 2019

3

Ok I just got back from fishing and washing the boat. Little bit of water in the recessed area by the drain tube as well as some splashed to the port side pump area. “Common with the B2/ Ospreys)

Verdict:

I found that after water testing the hatch drain lines, everything through port while examining the dry area with light during, every water pick up, every drain line, splash well filled up with water, running bulge and even water testing where the cap meets the deck.

The culprit was the damn wiring harness opening through the splash well. During washing the boat or hard reverse the water sprays the motor wiring harness and runs inside the dry storage/ pump area every time. It just builds over time.

The only way I can think to fix this is spray the area with a closed cell/ water right foam?? Too many lines goin in it make one big tube connection to run to the motor and steering. Originally had some sticky tar stuff around the wires probably to help with this. Any thoughts??

Here are the pics:

Cable management Electrical wiring Wire Cable Electrical supply

Auto part Metal Engine Pipe

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1 - 20 of 26 Posts

Smackdaddy53

· #2 · Mar 9, 2019

The closest I’ve seen to a waterproof rigging tube and flange is made by TH Marine but you won’t get all that in it.

Reactions: 1

State fish rob

· #3 · Mar 9, 2019

I hate to say it. Flex tape.
Seriously ive used self sealing electrical tape on those things. A longer boot will help alot also, think car shifter boot. Good luck

Gervais

· #4 · Mar 9, 2019

You could try liquid electrical tape. It’s pretty flexible and tough. I would open the boot up and try to cover all the wires with it and then tighten down with a new zip tie before it dries.

mangoman

· #5 · Mar 10, 2019

Gervais said:
You could try liquid electrical tape. It’s pretty flexible and tough. I would open the boot up and try to cover all the wires with it and then tighten down with a new zip tie before it dries.

you can't beat gravity. Is there enough length in the lines to pull and create a drip loop or bend below the opening. Is it possible to raise the hole and fitting? 45 degree plastic pipe fitting angled down?

Reactions: 1

Capnredfish

· #6 · Mar 10, 2019

I have the same issue. The steering cable boot is filled with silicone. You could try the same on that boot. Other option which I have contemplated doing is glassing in a trough(spelling?) to catch water on the back side of splash well inside the hatch and under the wires and hoses coming through. Then drill a small weep hole or plumb back into the splash well. I haven’t done it because I shop vac all standing water from everywhere when done. Won’t dry in garage if I don’t.

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Capnredfish

· #7 · Mar 10, 2019

Just noticed, yours come from the front. Mine come from right side opposite your filter judging by pics

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FSUDrew99

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 10, 2019

Bought this to fill the harness boot.

Cleaned up all the wiring and got rid of some the wire sleeves and moved some away from the boot so when it comes in I’ll spray and fill the boot area up. Hopefully it will take care of most of the problem.

Product Spray Material property Tire Automotive tire

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Rookiemistake

· #9 · Mar 10, 2019 (Edited)

Yup its a pain it gets in there. It Also happens when loading on the trailer. That little surge of water. Just dry it and leave hatches open. Andrew also check the o-rings on your drain plugs. Sometimes they pinch and dont seal well. Also whats the purpose of that drain plug next to your harness? Mines open all the time

FSUDrew99

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 10, 2019

Rookiemistake said:
Yup its a pain it gets in there. It Also happens when loading on the trailer. That little surge of water. Just dry it and leave hatches open. Andrew also check the o-rings on your drain plugs. Sometimes they pinch and dont seal well. Also whats the purpose of that drain plug next to your harness? Mines open all the time

Plugged that since I first got the boat. It is a bulge pump line for the dry storage/ pump area. When backing down or reverse that would take in water and then fill up the dry storage area.

When I bought the boat I replaced all three o-rings as well so they are good.

Trust me when I tell you j have water tested EVERYTHING hahah. That wiring harness is my only culprit now thankfully. I cleaned up the harness yesterday and got ride of some of the mess wire sleeves so that it will be just wires coming into the boot and the foam will adhere better to them and I’ll re- zip tie the boot down tighter as well prior to foaming.

Capnredfish

· #11 · Mar 10, 2019 (Edited)

It won’t. I already tried foam. I have an idea. Some 1/2in starboard cut out nicely. Bore holes that fit each hose or cable. Fuel, power, ground and engine harness. All should be round. Then hot wire cut the starboard in half right through middle of holes bored. Saw blade would remove too much material. Then screw in bottom starboard. Align wire and hoses. Place top piece and mount it. Should be a nice tight fit around each. If you have a hydraulic jackplate. They make through deck fittings for those hoses.
Update. Guess you could push two pieces together, then bore holes if hot wire is not an option.

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FSUDrew99

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 10, 2019

Good idea on the starboard. Would not like to have to go that route ideally, but makes good sense.

I’ll probably give the foam a shot and just hope it works.

Went ahead and ran a bead of clear silicone around where the boot meets the splash well too.

DONAGHUE

· #13 · Mar 10, 2019

Clear silicone...

FSUDrew99

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 10, 2019

DONAGHUE said:
Clear silicone...

Did you do this to yours?? Work?

DONAGHUE

· #15 · Mar 10, 2019

I have and yes... I run tiller skiffs so less wires but it worked well for me...put the time in it will work... half ass it and u get what u get... I'm pretty OCD....

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FSUDrew99

Discussion Starter · #16 · Mar 10, 2019

DONAGHUE said:
I have and yes... I run tiller skiffs so less wires but it worked well for me...put the time in it will work... half ass it and u get what u get... I'm pretty OCD....

Sounds better than the foam so I think I’ll go this route. I’m the same very OCD hah

Brett

· #17 · Mar 10, 2019

I'm not absolutely positive, but you may have just created a new oxymoron.

Pretty sure water tight and wiring harness are words that don't go together.

Like jumbo shrimp, a little pregnant, authentic reproduction...

Between 100% humidity, condensation and submersion, it doesn't exist.
All you can do is run the wiring up as high as possible and try to keep it dry.
Sorry I can't be of actual help...running wiring through the bilge is not the best idea.
Yet it's the most used method I see.

Reactions: 1

FSUDrew99

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 10, 2019

Brett said:
I'm not absolutely positive, but you may have just created a new oxymoron.

Pretty sure water tight and wiring harness are words that don't go together.

Like jumbo shrimp, a little pregnant, authentic reproduction...

Between 100% humidity, condensation and submersion, it doesn't exist.
All you can do is run the wiring up as high as possible and try to keep it dry.
Sorry I can't be of actual help...running wiring through the bilge is not the best idea.
Yet it's the most used method I see.

Unfortunately where my hardness is located it comes in through the back of the splashwell, which honestly isn’t the biggest issue for water intrusion it’s more so when I spray down the boat/ splasheeel and motor the water runs in through the wiring harness boot as it runs down the wires. The silicone sounds like the best way to seal it all up. I’m going to try it out this week.

Pudldux

· #19 · Mar 11, 2019

Andrew
On my old Osprey I just removed the small piece of drain hose between the rear bulkhead and splash well. Water always seemed to be in that gutter area where the hose sat, and was a pain in the ass to wipe out. With the hose gone it's much easier to just wipe down after washing. I put a small piece of hose with a beveled cut on the piece leading to splash well to assist with draining.

DONAGHUE

· #20 · Mar 11, 2019

Tape up the backside with painter's tape making a barrier so silicone doesn't sag out ..use a caulk gun working in to out making a plug... good luck

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