Flex Conduit (Run Wires Under Your Car)

[Cap'n'Crunch]

looks tight
are the RCAs going through conduit also?

srry if it was already asked

[YOUNGBOOMER17]

nice

[ROE]

Originally Posted by Cap'n'Crunch

looks tight
are the RCAs going through conduit also?

srry if it was already asked

nope, they will be ran inside the mini.

[Gebrochen]

Great idea. I never thought of that. It would have saved me several hours trying to (unsuccessfully) run 1/0 through my Jeep's frame rails. I finally decided that I would have had to drill more holes in it and didn't want to do that.

[king_jebus]

Looks like a nice, clean job Shon!
I think I will be doing the same thing to run my wires now.

[ROE]

people seem to find this method of running Wire useful so it has been stickied.

[YOUNGBOOMER17]

thats what we did on my blazer jus not that nice...we used some black spray sh*t that is jus like bedliner, worked like a charm.

[mjf595]

was it possible to run the 1/0 without the lube?

[king_jebus]

Lubrication is always a good idea................

[Cap'n'Crunch]

Originally Posted by mjf595

was it possible to run the 1/0 without the lube?

it is possible but its alot harder

we had to run various Wire types through various conduit types in electrical tec. and with out the lube it likes to bunch up and get stuck

[ROE]

Originally Posted by mjf595

was it possible to run the 1/0 without the lube?

depends. i tried it, even with the conduit pulled straight, and the friction Build up is enough to prevent any possible pull for a long distance. if the conduit run is a short distance, i'd say <5', it probably possible.

[quakerroatmeal]

Off topic but, did you re-position/made custom brackets for the alternator on the B-Series motor? I don't remember the alternators being right there, most likely they are lower below the engine isn't it?

[ROE]

Originally Posted by quakerroatmeal

Off topic but, did you re-position/made custom brackets for the alternator on the B-Series motor? I don't remember the alternators being right there, most likely they are lower below the engine isn't it?

yes, it's a custom bracket from minitec. as you mentioned, the oem location is below. however it has been replaced with a compressor.

if you would like to see more, there should be additional pics here:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2530583

if you'd like to discuss more, send me a pm.

[COLOSSUS]

If you don't want to use lubrication for wire conduit, you could look into a "cable puller" sometimes called a pipe snake but not the kind the plumbers use.

Its a wire around 25' long wound inside a plastic or metal case. You pull it out, run it the length of what you are putting cable into, wrap the wire around the end and then use a locking pull on the case to wind it back up. Works really well but it is slow. On the end of the cable is a hook they you wrap the wire around..

Electricians like them so maybe you would too, though I don't know exactly where to get them offhand... I'll look into it, my dad was an electrician so he may know.

~edit

Well that was quick.. Turns out you can get them from just about any hardware store (i.e. Lowes, Home Depot, Marvins, possibly wal-mart but doubt it..).. They are really handy, I used one to run wiring through a boat trailer and they are fairly easy since there is no kinking in the wire. Also, they are pretty easy to move through tight places so that helps too.

[king_jebus]

^^^Fish tape is what it's called when it's used for electrical.

[COLOSSUS]

Originally Posted by king_jebus

^^^Fish tape is what it's called when it's used for electrical.

Never heard that term before, but I wouldn't doubt it with language type differences between north, south, east, and west US.

[Cap'n'Crunch]

Originally Posted by COLOSSUS

Never heard that term before, but I wouldn't doubt it with language type differences between north, south, east, and west US.

lol, it even says fish tape in my book

ive never heard it being called any thing else

[COLOSSUS]

Learn something new everyday I suppose, I have only heard it spoken of as what I listed. And that is between electricians and sign builders around here that use them on a nearly daily basis.

But yes, I stand by my claim that it would be easier then lubing up a cable and attempting to run it through a conduit, afterall.. you will need to clean it afterward and also hope that the lubricant used doesn't effect the conduit or rubber casing on the cable itself. Its possible.

[ROE]

Originally Posted by COLOSSUS

If you don't want to use lubrication for wire conduit, you could look into a "cable puller" sometimes called a pipe snake but not the kind the plumbers use.

Its a wire around 25' long wound inside a plastic or metal case. You pull it out, run it the length of what you are putting cable into, wrap the wire around the end and then use a locking pull on the case to wind it back up. Works really well but it is slow. On the end of the cable is a hook they you wrap the wire around..

this may or may not work. i would only consider this for short straight runs. the momment you encounter a curve, the friction is going to build up and you'll probably need to use lube. you have to consider that you are pulling a large gauge wire with a pvc insulation that will stick easily to the conduit wall. also, these type of pullers are not cheap. it you don't plan to pull wire often, it's not a cost effective method as lube is only $5.

[king_jebus]

I just happen to have a reel of fish tape. Woot!

[ROE]

Originally Posted by COLOSSUS

afterall.. you will need to clean it afterward and also hope that the lubricant used doesn't effect the conduit or rubber casing on the cable itself. Its possible.

this is why i recommend actual lube designed to pull wire. it's water based with wax and will have zero chemical harm to the wire insulation or conduit. also, you are suppose to leave the remaining lube in the conduit. it will eventually dry to a waxy film...again non-toxic to the wire insulation or conduit.

[mjf595]

i was thinking without, just using a string with a weight on it to drop to the other end before everything is even ran, that way its straight and you could just put it through.

but as long as it doesnt effect the wire and all that then whatever works.

[COLOSSUS]

Well said shon, I admit defeat.

[Gebrochen]

Here's the fish tape I've used.

http://www.mcminone.com/product.asp?...Fid=58%2D10495

This tool is good for long straight runs of conduit or getting a wire down into the wall from the attic. For runs with lots of bends, you can tie a tight ball of cloth to a string, blow it through with compressed air, pull a wire through with the string and use the wire to pull your cable.

This is what I used to do when pulling cables for security and fire systems in warehouses years ago.

[ROE]

Originally Posted by mjf595

i was thinking without, just using a string with a weight on it to drop to the other end before everything is even ran, that way its straight and you could just put it through.

but as long as it doesnt effect the wire and all that then whatever works.

that was going to be my original method. however, being that i had a few bends, i decided it was best to test fit the conduit to make sure it was cut to length and fits properly. by the time the test fit was installed, i really didn't want to unstall the conduit to install the wire. so, i went with the pull method with lube. in about 10 min, both wires were pulled.