Moldy 30 A power cords.

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bobalong

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Moved my boat on to the hard last week. Took my power cords home for some needed attention.
I'm in a covered slip. My cords had turned just black as black can be. Scrubbed them with Wesleys Bleach White tire cleaner. They are yellow again, albeit not like new, but clean.
Two coats of mop and glow and they are shiny, and slick.
I hope this keeps them clean for a season or two. I'm thinking the porosity of the vinyl cover was providing a home for mold growth.
We'll see next season . . . .
 
That should work. I suggest that, in the future, you take your cords out of their storage locker every few weeks (perhaps taking them home) and leave them out in the sun for a day or so. That should minimize the mold growing on them. Keep in mind that Bleach White is not really meant for vinyl and will start to deteriorate your cords. Cleaning with a mild soap and water and exposure to natural sunlight is a better mold killer. Hy
 
I cap the ends, then working from one end to the other I use a water rinse followed by a Calgon and water scrub, followed by an acetone soaked diaper followed by Calgon and water scrub, followed by a fresh water rinse followed by PB2 (Armor All on steroids) soak and rub.

It sounds like a lot but once you get a rhythm, a 50' 30 amp cord will take about a leisurely 30 minutes and will last a year.
 
Yep, some UV would be helpful. I just don't get the black mold. Don't see it on other power cords on our dock. My cord is out in the open, I have a 50 to twin 30 adapter on my pedestal, then the cords run across the width of our slip then swoop to my inlet. None of it in a container of any kind. Has to be porosity issue.
Had lots of suggestions for cleaning the cords, mineral spirits comes to mind, some other pretty caustic chemicals. Hopefully next time a little soap and water . . . .and sunshine.
 
Any saltwater get to them. Copper wire strands will take a black 'patina'. If left long enuff, it will turn pink. It will be very porous and brittle. A single strand will not bend, it will crumble and break. It might be worth removing a plug and inspect the strands. I doubt a porous copper wire will stand up to it's rated power.
 
quote:
Originally posted by jtybt15

Any saltwater get to them. Copper wire strands will take a black 'patina'. If left long enuff, it will turn pink. It will be very porous and brittle. A single strand will not bend, it will crumble and break. It might be worth removing a plug and inspect the strands. I doubt a porous copper wire will stand up to it's rated power.

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No salt water. I've seen the condition you describe. Yep, brittle useless wire strands. Just the vinyl surface that's gotten ugly.
 
I used a product from Restoration Technology called Marine Strip on a cord like you describe. It cleaned it up easily and is not caustic. # is 1-800-752-3511.http://www.restorationtechnology.biz/marinestrip_home.html I found out about it on this forum from an earlier thread and am impressed with it.
 
On white dock hoses and my rarely used yellow shore power cords that get nasty, I generally just use Magic Erasers to nicely clean . Wetting the ME with 303 protectant instead of water saves an add'l step.
 
Forget acetone. I repeat, forget about acetone.

Try the acetone replacement. It is available at Worst Marine. It's a much better product than acetone because it does not evaporate as quickly thus it moves more grime because there is more solvent available longer. It also does not harm the cord exterior.
A captain on a mega yacht recommended it, I tried it, it's very good and has many benefits check the stuff out. You will not go back to acetone. The captain saw me using magic erasers, gave me a jug of the stuff, and I have been convinced!
It is what they call an ethyl lactate. I cannot talk to where it comes from ;) but it works!
 
My cords on the old Mainship did that I bought the WM cleaner and it worked great for about 6 weeks then I would do them over again. However this past weekend I received a call from my friend my old marina manager who told me the new guy already took care of the cords and the pedestal when he pulled away without unplugging them. Then when he moved the boat only one of the 30 amp legs worked that's what happens when you try and leave the dock without a clue. He also managed to hit something and then ran the boat for 2 days while ignoring massive vibrations until the port side Walter V drive went into pieces, he damaged the Aquamet shaft, also that sides PSS dripless and the prop had to be replaced.
Everyone misses my wife and I and he's begging me to get back to the marina so he has a reason to move the boat I'd get my old slip back.
I doubt that will happen I actually have the Gulfstar up for sale due to numerous reasons the least being the actual trawler itself.
I'm almost hoping it sells or I can get someone wishing to trade sideways. Then I could get a Bayliner 2859, 3 AXEL TRAILER with an electric winch which might be a good fit for my wife and I plus I can bring the boat home to work on it.
I'm pretty disgusted with life in general lately.
Bill
 
Bill it is what you make it. I don't know all of the reasons for your shift in attitude, but I will say if you settle down, and plod along, it might work out well. Give it all a chance.
Don't reflect on what others have done to your past possessions. It's their issue, and while it hurts, it really doesn't matter to you and your life.

Cheers.
 
Use acetone on my yellow cords from '93 to this past July when I sold boat. Found nothing easier that did as good a job. After cleaning, I applied a good coating of 303 Aerospace Protectant. Never had a sticky cord that were original when I bought boat new in '93.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ironworks

I used a product from Restoration Technology called Marine Strip on a cord like you describe. It cleaned it up easily and is not caustic. # is 1-800-752-3511.http://www.restorationtechnology.biz/marinestrip_home.html I found out about it on this forum from an earlier thread and am impressed with it.

Click to expand...


Yeah Restoration Technology's stripper is the best stuff I've ever used to clean cords. Follow up the cleaning with either 303 or Mop n Glow.

I'll have to try the faux acetone stuff though.
 
I'm back in my covered slip now and noticed something different about my power cords from my neighbors. Mine are really stiff. My guess is they might be original 93' cords. Spent their first 15 years in the Michigan sun and snow, and have lost whatever makes them pliable. No cracks, plug ends still look new, no electrical issues, just stiff. May replace them next summer, use these as carry aboard cables for travelling.
 
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