Pulling wires

If you have an existing cable to pull, I would use that cable to pull a pull string through, then pull the replacement cable using your string.

When pulling your replacement cable, I would suggest pulling another string along with your replacement cable. That way you have a pull string in place should you someday need to run a cable that isn't replacing another cable that can be used to pull.

I would recommend getting some wiring lube and putting some onto the cable, especially if the cable run is full or if the run has more than one turn. I have found that a quality 3m electrical tape and knots in the string works well for making the connections, but there are other ways, too.

Another idea which worked for me was using an electricians fish tape. It's rigid enough to pass the other cables and ie easily retrieved. I found my wire chase to the flybridge behind the TV in the galley/salon area.

I use 3/16" double braid rope as a fish rope and make it long enough to form a continuous loop when the ends are spliced together. That way it will pull the wire through the wire chase and all the way back to the starting point. When finished, I undo the splice and bundle and tie the fish rope at each end of the chase for the next time I need to pull a wire through.

Be kind to your mechanic and yourself and never pull a chase rope out without leaving another in its place. It's also a good idea to tie off each end to avoid inadvertently pulling one end and sucking the other into the chase with nothing attached.

Agree totally with the last post.

Leave a chase line for future use.