Corroded Cable

R

robert mueller

New member
Jul 4, 2007
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G'day,

I seem to be having some problems with my laptop sending emails so I shut it off and restarted it so I'm sending this one for the
THIRD timer!

G'day,

I was working on the Kingsley today installing a Ragusa battery pan and ran into this:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/aa-miscellaneous-photos/p64916-corroded-cable.html

Comments please.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
 
 
Rob,
I'm guessing that is the part of the "Battery Boost" cable that is upfront in the engine compartment, ahead of the rad. Its likely the exposure to
the elements and additional heat which has caused the plastic insulation to break down faster... after all it is 40 years old.

The wire's copper strands actually act like a wick and allow moisture to travel along inside the wire causing the internal corrosion.

Mine had a few cracks in the engine area so it put split tubing over it to improve the insulation. But I'm also worried about events I've heard where
that cable has chaffed against the aluminum frame work and caused sparks and fires. Its buried in the coach walls in form insulation, so not an easy
thing to replace. I plan on running a new line to the back along the frame and in split tubing and abandoning the existing wire in the wall.

--
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
 
> G'day,
>
> I seem to be having some problems with my laptop sending emails so I shut it off and restarted it so I'm sending this one for the
> THIRD timer!
>
> G'day,
>
> I was working on the Kingsley today installing a Ragusa battery pan and ran into this:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/aa-miscellaneous-photos/p64916-corroded-cable.html
>
> Comments please.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> Sydney, Australia

Rob,

I have run into cables with this condition while doing boat work. As Bruce (aka RF Burns) said, the corrosion will wick into the cable. While the
cable's "ampacity" will not be affected, making effective terminations will be a real big issue. With the appropriate chemicals and some time, the
ends can be cleaned to allow good terminations, but that cable will still be problematic. If it still has good terminations, a couple of layers of
sleeving will make it good. I quickly ($$) learned that this was at best a poor bet where I had to warranty the repair.

My Bet:
Cut your losses (bad pun not intended), and replace the cable with one with good soldered or swaged terminals.

And yes, thanks for the line. We can talk about that over some Scotch in Amana.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
I've one that looks like that which disappears on the way to the rear of the coach. It's on the list to go away.

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
 
If it is a ground cable I would have no issues with it assuming the ends
were terminated in a soldered fitting. When I say soldered I mean a crimp
connector after the end of the copper has been tinned with solder or
soldered into the connector and shrink wrapped. If it is the + I would huck
it. Not worth the trouble with the lingering lack of piece of mind.

Sully
Bellevue

On Sun, Jul 1, 2018 at 8:21 AM Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <

> I've one that looks like that which disappears on the way to the rear of
> the coach. It's on the list to go away.
>
> --johnny
> --
> 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> "I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me
> in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Johnny,

Remember that where it disappears to is into the flammable foam between the
holes in the aluminum ribs, which it may or may not be rubbing against.
The insulation is probably not cracked & crazed like that exposed up front,
but it's just about as brittle. It needs to at least be re-insulated or
protected from those ribs -- which are HARD to get to behind the sidewalls
and furniture. A new, sheathed, wire along the frame rail will be lots
easier, even though more expensive.

Ken H.​ http://www.gmcwipersetc.com

On Sun, Jul 1, 2018 at 11:21 AM Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <

> I've one that looks like that which disappears on the way to the rear of
> the coach. It's on the list to go away.
>
> --johnny
> --
> 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> "I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me
> in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Sully, unfortunately that is not a ground cable but a live cable which can carry lots of 12 volt current from the rear battery to the front battery when the boost switch is on.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> Johnny,
>
> Remember that where it disappears to is into the flammable foam between the
> holes in the aluminum ribs, which it may or may not be rubbing against.
> The insulation is probably not cracked & crazed like that exposed up front,
> but it's just about as brittle. It needs to at least be re-insulated or
> protected from those ribs -- which are HARD to get to behind the sidewalls
> and furniture. A new, sheathed, wire along the frame rail will be lots
> easier, even though more expensive.
>
> Ken H.​ http://www.gmcwipersetc.com
>
> On Sun, Jul 1, 2018 at 11:21 AM Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <

>
>> I've one that looks like that which disappears on the way to the rear of
>> the coach. It's on the list to go away.
>>
>> --johnny
>> --
>> 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
>> Braselton, Ga.
>> "I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me
>> in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
I'm watching the local pawn shop fro about 30 feet of welder's cable. Meantimes, the Boost Switch Lamp is OUT.

--johnny

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
 
that looks pretty rough, seems like it would have to increase resistance and possibly lower voltage but if its just a booster/emergency back-up that
is rarely used, that might not be a problem. thats a long battery cable!
 
Weldinc cable is ok for use as battery cable as long as you understand that the rubber insulation is subject to deterioration from ozone and other air borne polutants, and it will get brittle if it gets hot, like in the engine compartment. Just replaced a section of 4/0 welding cable a PO used, that had NO insulation left at all. The only thing keeping things operational was his use of rubber lined cable clamps.

>
>
> I'm watching the local pawn shop fro about 30 feet of welder's cable. Meantimes, the Boost Switch Lamp is OUT.
>
> --johnny
>
> --johnny
> --
> 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> "I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Welding cable is much more expensive than battery cable due to the super
fine stranded wire.

Sully
Bellevue.

On Sun, Jul 1, 2018 at 8:19 PM RICHARD/MARLI SHOOP
wrote:

> Weldinc cable is ok for use as battery cable as long as you understand
> that the rubber insulation is subject to deterioration from ozone and other
> air borne polutants, and it will get brittle if it gets hot, like in the
> engine compartment. Just replaced a section of 4/0 welding cable a PO used,
> that had NO insulation left at all. The only thing keeping things
> operational was his use of rubber lined cable clamps.
> > On July 1, 2018 at 12:00 PM Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <

> >
> >
> > I'm watching the local pawn shop fro about 30 feet of welder's cable.
> Meantimes, the Boost Switch Lamp is OUT.
> >
> > --johnny
> >
> > --johnny
> > --
> > 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> > Braselton, Ga.
> > "I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to
> me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Last year I found that the rear battery cable in my Royale had been rubbing where it was run through the Onan slide (for 41 years?!? dunno?) when I was investigating a fuel line leak to the Onan. It was a disaster averted (fuel leak + large 12V cable being rubbing bare by a large metal ground).

I ran a new battery cable - I was able to get some nice 2 gauge welding cable at Princess Auto for under $2 a foot. I avoided running it THROUGH the Onan slide...

Rob
Victoria, BC
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath

>
> G'day,
>
> I seem to be having some problems with my laptop sending emails so I shut it off and restarted it so I'm sending this one for the
> THIRD timer!
>
> G'day,
>
> I was working on the Kingsley today installing a Ragusa battery pan and ran into this:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/aa-miscellaneous-photos/p64916-corroded-cable.html
>
> Comments please.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
> USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
 
G'day,

As the song goes; "I get by with a little help from my friends" as I got an extremely detailed email OFF NET who wishes to remain
anonymous and from what I've read here and his info I've decided to replace the cable with new 0/2 as installed by GMC.

The off net info shows that the cable is in two sections a front section that goes from the boost switch to a junction in the
cockpit behind the driver side panel and a second section that goes down to the back to the batteries. I'm going to replace the
front section. I'll bet dollars to donuts the rear section will be fine as its inside the coach and foamed in place.

I will check to see that the service bulletin that adds a insulator around the cable where it enters the cockpit has been installed.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808


-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Rob
Sent: Tuesday, July 3, 2018 7:21 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Corroded Cable

Last year I found that the rear battery cable in my Royale had been rubbing where it was run through the Onan slide (for 41 years?!?
dunno?) when I was investigating a fuel line leak to the Onan. It was a disaster averted (fuel leak + large 12V cable being rubbing
bare by a large metal ground).

I ran a new battery cable - I was able to get some nice 2 gauge welding cable at Princess Auto for under $2 a foot. I avoided
running it THROUGH the Onan slide...

Rob
Victoria, BC
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath

>
> G'day,
>
> I seem to be having some problems with my laptop sending emails so I shut it off and restarted it so I'm sending this one for the
> THIRD timer!
>
> G'day,
>
> I was working on the Kingsley today installing a Ragusa battery pan and ran into this:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/aa-miscellaneous-photos/p64916-corroded-cable.html
>
> Comments please.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
> USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Rob,

Although it was rather difficult to thread through , I used a garden hose
as a rub insulator on the positive lead from my boost switch to the house
battery next to the Onan in my Royale. It worked peachy.

Sully
Bellevue wa

> G'day,
>
> As the song goes; "I get by with a little help from my friends" as I got
> an extremely detailed email OFF NET who wishes to remain
> anonymous and from what I've read here and his info I've decided to
> replace the cable with new 0/2 as installed by GMC.
>
> The off net info shows that the cable is in two sections a front section
> that goes from the boost switch to a junction in the
> cockpit behind the driver side panel and a second section that goes down
> to the back to the batteries. I'm going to replace the
> front section. I'll bet dollars to donuts the rear section will be fine as
> its inside the coach and foamed in place.
>
> I will check to see that the service bulletin that adds a insulator around
> the cable where it enters the cockpit has been installed.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
> USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Rob
> Sent: Tuesday, July 3, 2018 7:21 AM
> To: gmclist
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Corroded Cable
>
> Last year I found that the rear battery cable in my Royale had been
> rubbing where it was run through the Onan slide (for 41 years?!?
> dunno?) when I was investigating a fuel line leak to the Onan. It was a
> disaster averted (fuel leak + large 12V cable being rubbing
> bare by a large metal ground).
>
> I ran a new battery cable - I was able to get some nice 2 gauge welding
> cable at Princess Auto for under $2 a foot. I avoided
> running it THROUGH the Onan slide...
>
> Rob
> Victoria, BC
> 76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath
>

> >
> > G'day,
> >
> > I seem to be having some problems with my laptop sending emails so I
> shut it off and restarted it so I'm sending this one for the
> > THIRD timer!
> >
> > G'day,
> >
> > I was working on the Kingsley today installing a Ragusa battery pan and
> ran into this:
> >
> >
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/aa-miscellaneous-photos/p64916-corroded-cable.html
> >
> > Comments please.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Rob M.
> > The Pedantic Mechanic
> > Sydney, Australia
> > AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> > USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
> > USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
After I thought about my cable a bit more - I realized that my corroded cable was a short piece that ran between the Onan and the rear battery (making it parallel with the front house/coach battery - a la Coachmen practice?).

I never liked that method and had installed individual cutoff knife-blade switches at the batteries. When I found my corroded cable, I removed it and pulled a long welding cable from near the boost switch to the rear battery (avoiding the Onan slide!). So my rear cable from the boost switch to the Onan is still the original.

I then installed a marine style dual battery switch (1, 2, 1+2) on the firewall, so I can run the batteries individually.

Rob
Victoria, BC
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath

>
> G'day,
>
> As the song goes; "I get by with a little help from my friends" as I got an extremely detailed email OFF NET who wishes to remain
> anonymous and from what I've read here and his info I've decided to replace the cable with new 0/2 as installed by GMC.
>
> The off net info shows that the cable is in two sections a front section that goes from the boost switch to a junction in the
> cockpit behind the driver side panel and a second section that goes down to the back to the batteries. I'm going to replace the
> front section. I'll bet dollars to donuts the rear section will be fine as its inside the coach and foamed in place.
>
> I will check to see that the service bulletin that adds a insulator around the cable where it enters the cockpit has been installed.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
> USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
 
Hi, Rob.

I suggest that you bite a rather large financial bullet and buy MARINE rated wire/cable of the same gauge as is already being used. The marine rated cable/wire has individually tinned conductors and that contamination is greatly reduced. Also, the marine wire/cable is usually far more flexible for a given size/gauge. The jacket of modern material is also considerably more durable. It will NOT be cheap, but there should be many sources in the Houston, TX area.

Fasten the new cable securely to one end of the old cable and use the original to pull the new cable into place. If you really want to go into "overkill" you can install the new cable inside of garden hose!

Terminals should be crimped and covered with the heat-shrink that is lined with a "waxy" type of substance for waterproofing.

Good luck!

D C "Mac" Macdonald​
Amateur Radio K2GKK​
Since 30 November '53​
USAF and FAA, Retired​
Member GMCMI & Classics​
Oklahoma City, OK​
"The Money Pit"​
TZE166V101966​
'76 ex-Palm Beach​
k2gkk + hotmail dot com
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Rob Mueller
Sent: Sunday, July 1, 2018 07:31
To: gmclist
Subject: [GMCnet] Corroded Cable

G'day,

I seem to be having some problems with my laptop sending emails so I shut it off and restarted it so I'm sending this one for the
THIRD timer!

G'day,

I was working on the Kingsley today installing a Ragusa battery pan and ran into this:

https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gmcmhphotos.com%2Fphotos%2Faa-miscellaneous-photos%2Fp64916-corroded-cable.html&data=02%7C01%7C%7C43f947cfe5084c59350508d5df4ea6c3%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636660451253493113&sdata=lz8LxUm%2F1vP5MCP0senUXCfCSoa%2BcYzP%2BZITDWXPN3M%3D&reserved=0

Comments please.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
 
that 'waxy' stuff is hot melt glue. The only way that heat shrink tubing is waterproof. Using marine grade wire is definitely a better kind of wire.

>
>
> Hi, Rob.
>
> I suggest that you bite a rather large financial bullet and buy MARINE rated wire/cable of the same gauge as is already being used. The marine rated cable/wire has individually tinned conductors and that contamination is greatly reduced. Also, the marine wire/cable is usually far more flexible for a given size/gauge. The jacket of modern material is also considerably more durable. It will NOT be cheap, but there should be many sources in the Houston, TX area.
>
> Fasten the new cable securely to one end of the old cable and use the original to pull the new cable into place. If you really want to go into "overkill" you can install the new cable inside of garden hose!
>
> Terminals should be crimped and covered with the heat-shrink that is lined with a "waxy" type of substance for waterproofing.
>
> Good luck!
>
> D C "Mac" Macdonald​
> Amateur Radio K2GKK​
> Since 30 November '53​
> USAF and FAA, Retired​
> Member GMCMI & Classics​
> Oklahoma City, OK​
> "The Money Pit"​
> TZE166V101966​
> '76 ex-Palm Beach​
> k2gkk + hotmail dot com
> ________________________________
> From: Gmclist on behalf of Rob Mueller
> Sent: Sunday, July 1, 2018 07:31
> To: gmclist
> Subject: [GMCnet] Corroded Cable
>
> G'day,
>
> I seem to be having some problems with my laptop sending emails so I shut it off and restarted it so I'm sending this one for the
> THIRD timer!
>
> G'day,
>
> I was working on the Kingsley today installing a Ragusa battery pan and ran into this:
>
> https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gmcmhphotos.com%2Fphotos%2Faa-miscellaneous-photos%2Fp64916-corroded-cable.html&data=02%7C01%7C%7C43f947cfe5084c59350508d5df4ea6c3%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636660451253493113&sdata=lz8LxUm%2F1vP5MCP0senUXCfCSoa%2BcYzP%2BZITDWXPN3M%3D&reserved=0
>
> Comments please.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
> USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
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