docrocky
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2011
- Messages
- 207
- Location
- NW Ohio and SE Michigan
- Tractor
- Oliver 880, Ford 8N, Ford 9N, Farmall Super C, MF 205, Ford 4400 FEL, Ford 4500 FEL/BH, Cat D-6 Dozer(1957)
10 or so years ago I ran #6 alum black coated wire from the house to the pole barn about 120 feet. Wire was a gift really being outdoor pole wire not needed on a project. Ran 3 lines so I could have 220 to run welder and air compressor. Lines were buried about 18 to 24 inches using a trencher. Soil is pure yellow sand and drains extremely well. Suddenly, only 110 at the barn and no event such as a dig etc to proceed the loss of half the power. After checking the circuit breakers at either end, suspected one of the lines had a corrosion problem. Turned the power off at the house and started digging by hand and found one of the wires corroded completely. This was right next to water pcp pipe running over top which I had double walled...did this about 8 years ago..and I must have put a small nick in the insulation and the decay process began slowly.
Now I am about to repair the disruption by side to side clamping but the question now is how to re insulate this rejoined wire and how to waterproof it. I am sure electrical tape alone will not totally block the moisture invasion, but what will. Is heat shrink tubing helpful? Or should I wrap it in a covering of J B weld or Devco? The rest of the wires are in mint condition without cracks in the black insulation. Why I didn't conduit it the first time, I frankly don't remember and with the cost of copper wire today, I want to make due with what I have.
thank You
Now I am about to repair the disruption by side to side clamping but the question now is how to re insulate this rejoined wire and how to waterproof it. I am sure electrical tape alone will not totally block the moisture invasion, but what will. Is heat shrink tubing helpful? Or should I wrap it in a covering of J B weld or Devco? The rest of the wires are in mint condition without cracks in the black insulation. Why I didn't conduit it the first time, I frankly don't remember and with the cost of copper wire today, I want to make due with what I have.
thank You