Old Shorepower Cables

[StratPlan61]

OK Hatt owners and fans I need your advice. I have two (2) 50' 50amp shorepower cables from the PO. They are really dirty and quite stiff. I had planned to clean them up, add new weather boots, etc. I was going to lay them out in the hot sun (we should have 1 sometime in July with luck). Then I wondered if I can possible get them back to a more flexible condition. I know I can clean up the outer rubber covering - but what about the stiffness? Am I about to waste a lot of my time?

I have two newer cables which I use, but having a backup set is a comfort. Am I nuts (still)??

Bear'
1984 61' MY Strategic Plan

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

From one nut to another, you're perhaps on the right track.

Be careful about sticking them out in the sun if you think it's the continued exposure that got them stiff in the first place. On the other hand being up in Michigan(?) they should loosen up in warmer weather.

Cleaning old PCs can be a b--ch. Soft Scrub with bleach can do a lot. I've even resorted to sand paper to clean really engrained tough areas (told you I was nuts), but it worked (what the heck it's a very old cord - it's either gonna look like crap or be improved). A last resort is acetone (thats right acetone ). This will also remove the toughest marks on (old) fenders too.

Don't spend too much time cleaning that boat, you gotta use it too!

 

[Brian Degulis]

Mine where the same way stiff and dirty and also getting hot at the plugs. So I spent alot of time cleaning with solvents then silicone spray then new ends. They where just as stiff and still got hot and created voltage drop. I cleaned the conductors very well for the new plugs even soldered the strands together but the corosion throughout the cable made the whole project a waste of time.

Anybody want a great deal on some pretty looking cables that don't work worth a S*****

Brian

 

[Traveler 45C]

Stiffness? I don't know how to fix that. But as long as it still conducts electricity who cares how stiff it is? It could live at your home slip and never have to be packed up as long as you have one to go with you.

For cleaning- Spray Nine works like you would not believe. Follow with 303 Aerospace Protectant and the cord, or any vinyl will stay looking nice for a very long time. I think I got 2 yrs out of the last application to my SP cord before the black stuff came back. Spray Nine takes it right off.

303- http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=W2D1FLLDMOQVSCWQNWRSCNQK0BW0IIWE?id=0043654018929a&type=product&cmCat=perf&rid=0180101070502&xpid=k2776&cm_ven=Performics&cm_cat=Affiliate%2Dclick&cm_pla=Shopping.com&cm_ite=DDI%20Link&_requestid=14091

 

[Trojan]

West Marine makes a cleaner just for cables. I don't know how it works. I too have cables that are stiff and could use a cleaning. Mine are just hanging on the wall in the barn looking for help.


BILL

 

[doc g]

Star Brite inflatable boat cleaner works well...................................Pat

 

[boatn]

I've heard that hand cleaner like you get from the automotive store works very good on shore cables.

 

[StratPlan61]

Just to clarify, I believe I can clean up the outing covering OK with Softscrub and ArmorAll, BUT is the stiffness I have in these old cables due to the rubber outer covering or is it due to something changing within the electrical wires inside? Cleaning them is a pain I have accomplished many times - I just didn't want to spend those hours IF the real stiffness is being caused by something else.

Bear'
1984 61' MY Strategic Plan

 

[luckydave215]

The stiffness is from the plasticizer evaporating from the pvc cover, there's nothing you can do about it except heat them up by moving to Death Valley.....or make sure all the connections are corrroded
The good part about hard-as-iron shore power cables is that if you keep them stretched out they're harder to steal