Spreading bulkhead grommets for cable / plug insertion.

[ajlelectronics]

I am still puzzling how to get my ECU harness through the bulkhead on the GTC project. Grommets of a sensible size do not seem to be available to buy, even from grommet specialists. The only type I have found are silly money like £15 each.

Eventually I found some at Farnell
PRO POWER 1458239 GROMMET M50 GREY

that I might be able to press into service, but I have some big plugs to put through it. I would rather not cut and reglue the grommet, so I thought about Hellerman type sleeve expanding tools. HOW MUCH??? Plus the fact that they don't seem to enlarge as much Ias I might need, which is up to about 50mm.

So, any suggestions for a solution please?

 

[Shox Dr]

You could carefully weed the connector pins out of the socket, pass the loom through of gromet, put the socket back on.

A faff, yes. But it would work

 

[ajlelectronics]

Lots of choice at high cost here, but nothing UK as far as I can see... http://stores.ebay.com/sealsitstore/_i.html?_dmd=1&_nkw=grommet+seals&rt=nc&_ipg=96

 

[rtbcomp]

Could you make a cone out of a baked-bean tin, use it to expand the grommet, cut the cone down so you can pass the connector through and then remove the cone.

 

[rtbcomp]

Vaseline or wd40.

You shouldn't use Vaseline on rubber.

 

[GW8IZR]

I made an expander for thuis type of job based on some plastic drain pipe with a slit along its length.

A jubilee clip closed it down to a small size which could be inserted and then removing the clip allowed the pipe to open up back to its normal size, now that was a one off and needed a bit of lube to make it work but it should be ok for a few tries before it gives up the ghost.

 

[123hotchef]

u can get the cut to size grommet strips

 

[zx9]

so I thought about Hellerman type sleeve expanding tools. HOW MUCH??? Plus the fact that they don't seem to enlarge as much Ias I might need, which is up to about 50mm

For a one off can you not make something similar using a metal hoop and three wires / cable ties to open up the gromet, I would use silicone spray as the lubricant.

 

[MattH]

You shouldn't use Vaseline on rubber.

A whole industry groans in unison!

 

[ajlelectronics]

It is a bulkhead grommet so yes it needs to seal. I did try some circlip pliers but they only expand in two planes. The cone idea is one I had thought of. I am surprised that there seems to be no commercial product though. A stainless cone with a slot cut in it and a handle must be useful for lots of things.

Actually, thinking about PDG's "out of the box" comment, I wonder if there is anything on the surplus medical or 'entertainment' market. ;-)

 

[MrFluffy]

why not a cheapy CV boot expander?
The hellerman tools go up to massive sizes but they are pricy as you say, you can buy copies but only in the smaller sizes. I love those sleeves for finishing though...

 

[123hotchef]

Those are good for cut/chafe protection, but don't 'seal' around the cables - whether that function is needed?

that is what silicon is for

 

[MCKDAVID]

hellerman pliers, is definitely the proper way to do it,


other wise you could make a rough bugger version - take a jubilee clip of the right size by winding in the minimum size, but still large enough to get over your wire bundle / plug. "attach" a couple, (or three or four depending on size) of short pipe sections to it, by gluing, soldering, riveting or whatever. Use pipe sections just long enough to get through the grommet, but not too long as to twist it out of shape. Then put the "device" through the grommet, and screw the jubilee clip outwards to open up, pass cable through and close out again..

pipe sections could be anything round, pvc pipe, conduit, bit of steel hand formed, whatever is to hand and suits the diameter of the grommet / wire, either way you get the idea....

 

[zx9]

Actually, thinking about PDG's "out of the box" comment, I wonder if there is anything on the surplus medical or 'entertainment' market.

A few of the stage / commercial audio guys I have worked with call the Hellerman tool by a colloquial name based on the above.

 

[MrFluffy]

apparently the f**** stretcher is industry std The dc ups engineers didnt even know its proper name when i first saw one and realized how usefull it would be for me...

 

[Jim Davey]

Search Seals-It split bulkhead grommets. Spendy, but a very effective solution.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Have you looked at marine grommets / glands ?

 

[ajlelectronics]

Search Seals-It split bulkhead grommets. Spendy, but a very effective solution.

I have done, but we are talking £20 a pop!

 

[ajlelectronics]

Have you looked at marine grommets / glands ?

I have looked at all sorts of things. I think I may be going to use Lucas 2.25" grommets in a stainless carrier plate. It still leaves the situation of needing to stretch it for the connectors to pass through though. Shame my own ***** ******* would be useless for that. ;-)

 

[xmetal]

I've used self-amalgamating tape on existing grommets in the past and it seals well.