Pulling Radar/Sat TV Cables

[ThirdHatt]

I finally rigged some scaffolding up to access the top of the radar arch today. I managed to remove the old 3.5' 48 mile Furuno open array this afternoon. Now I am planning my assault on removing the old radar cable and pulling the new radar cable, 3 cables (2 coax and one control) for the new Seatel Coastal 24 Sat TV dome and four other antenna wires. Boy, this is going to be FUN pulling all that through 1.9" Aluminum pipe!

I assume I will try to split the bundle in half and go down/up both sides. The port is the only side with any wires now: the radar that needs to be replaced and the power cable for the masthead/all around light which stays. I wonder about the details of this project such as: What is the best to use - string or rope or cable for the pulls? What is best to temporarily attatch the string, etc to the cable(s)? Electrical tape? Should I pull one at a time (thickest first I guess) or all at once for each tube with the ends staggered and taped up?

Hopefully there is some general preferred method for pulling wires that I don't know about. Maybe some of you more experienced do-it-yourselfers can offer some tips?

THANKS!

 

[yachtsmanbill]

I would try to pull them at the same time. Once you make a bend its impossible to get under or around it with the next one. Good UNION electricians will use compressed air and 1/4" polypropelene line and blow it through to the guy at the other end. Thats through conduit anyway. A fishtape mite be better for you if you have some help finding the holes at the far end. Stagger the wire ends into a nice taper and dont force it too much. Try your best not to skin that radar cable. Any sharp edges you can pad first? My arch has several screw in deck plates to facilitate this at strategic spots. I want to do the hinge thing like Doug Schuman did without pulling the cables out first. --Nice trick Houdini !!
Wait a second, isnt your arch pipe? That will be fun making the bend coming out. Cut a square dutchman, pull the cable and then cover with a slightly larger cover plate and fasten it down with machine screws. Make it out of the next larger size pipe with rubber grommets as necessary facing astern to help keep the weather out. Hmm. Do I need to come down there and help you pull the
stanch err wires through?? ws

 

[Starman]

Hello TH,

Bill Had the right idea for sure about tapering/satgering the leads than using the tape to form a point.

Nylon string/fish tape will work.

But here is my Helpful hint I was made aware of by an elctrician some time back.

If you ever come across any old steering cables, save them. Cut through ( need a hacksaw) and remove the 1/8 stainless steel cable. Makes an awesome wire pull. !!


One other thing..........

Do not be afraid to really lube up those leads/wires you are pulling through. Good ole KY, or a concentrated liquid soap works wonders.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Another brain fart-- on my gas boat, I had to take the 20 pin plug off the end to get it through the 1-1/2" aluminum pipe. With a dutchman, you may not need to do that. Just a thought. KY or pulling lube works well, but wear gloves and put down some old rugs to contain the mess. It will be COPIOUS!! ws

 

[captddis]

The cores out of old control cables make great fishes and they are stainless! If you get a core out of a supreme cable they are wound cable with a plastic covering. They are the best. Get some cable lubricant at HD or a elect supply. I makes a huge difference. I pull the cables seperately, starting with the biggest. A piece of string with a small piece of cork on the end will work well when putting a vacuum on the other end of the pipe. Covering the other openings with tape when applying vacuum helps. Be paitent and do not try to pull to hard on the wires, Jiggling the bundle helps to get the wires to slide.
As stated use tape to put a point on the wire.

 

[garyd]

All good advice. When you pull the old out attach a line onto it to pull back whatever you want to use for your final pull. Loop the pull rope back again and use black tape a fair distance.

Use the wire lube, then here is the trick I picked up, try not to pull the wire bundle through but push it through. If you run them all at once and tape them tightly together they become one and it works pretty well for large wire or large bundles.

Have the Admiral pull gently while you push. LOL Hope Randy doesn't read that.

Make sure you include another pull wire to use in the future. And when you use it attach a wire and another pull string, so you always have a pull in that pipe.

Good Luck
If you have anything that has to fit over the wires or a wire like a grommet etc don't forget to do that first (don't ask me why I said this ).

 

[ThirdHatt]

All excellent advice. Thank you gentlemen! I will heed all of it. Much I had not thoguht of before such as push instead of pull, use lube, etc. I feel a bit more confident now!