mice + wires dont = success

[catfishcarl99]

well i have been having some trouble with the right side led tail light not working. and brake did. the leds get brighter so i knew they werent blown out. this started after i added some marker lights. thought they had something to do with i yet they had all new wire. i blew 6 fuses trying to get them working a couple weeks back. then i pulled the wire on the markers. then they worked. then sat the right tail went out again. i had my suspitions. i had pulled out some fuzz and straw and crap out of one on the trailer tubes this spring.

tonight i had enough and was telling a fishing buddie i was going to re wire the whole trailer tounge to tails. he said his dad also a friend of mine, had several spools of 14 guage wire he said i was welcome to use. he went across the road to fetch it. had yellow, green, brown white and black. couldnt get better than that. i rolled out 23' of yell/and brown and zipped togather every foot with elect ties. then 23' of green/brown and did the same. hooked it to the old at front and pulled the new through as old came out.

WOW. its a wonder i had any lights as all. the rear 4-5' was chewed up bad. some spots to bare copper for several inches. hooked up the new wires to lights and re connected markers. all popped right on and worked as they should.

they were green from the exposed copper. and bare in many locations. looks like im gonna be getting some metal lath or something to close off the tube ends to mice.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: mice + wires dont = success

Depending on the shape of the trailer frame........ use pieces of plexi-glass glued inside the frame with some 5200 and with drain holes to let water pass in/out.

Install them inside a few inches and no one will see them.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: mice + wires dont = success

Stuff the openings with Steel Wool.
We (Telephone Co.) found that they will not chew through it!
Cap it with spray foam for protection if needed.

 

[catfishcarl99]

Re: mice + wires dont = success

good ideas. the trailer is all galvinized. no rust yet 24 years old. the inner tubers are 3" rounded boxed tubes. either would work well. i like the plexiglass idea. afraid the steel wool will rust very quickly and i dont want rusted metal against the my rust free trailer. but like the ideas. keep em coming.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: mice + wires dont = success

Cap it off with duct seal putty, mice wont eat on it.

 

[Gpayne]

Re: mice + wires dont = success

Leave the trailer open and get a cat.

 

[catfishcarl99]

Re: mice + wires dont = success

had one and the coyotes got her. we have another but she is strictly indoor cat. funny we got her as a kitten a couple years ago. my 5 year old left the door open a couple months back. when i noticed it 20 minutes later there sat sissy at the threshold. never stepped outside.

i was first thinking metal lath. expanded sheet metal whatever different folks call it. tin snips and a few beds and slide it in. i have to cap off the front and rear of both sides and the front and rear of the tounge to stop the invasion.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: mice + wires dont = success

afraid the steel wool will rust very quickly and i dont want rusted metal against the my rust free trailer. but like the ideas.

How about stainless steel kitchen scouring pads, they are pretty coarse, but should fit the bill like steel wool.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: mice + wires dont = success

Most places that sell plexi glass have a box full of small scraps that are usually just given away at the request I have gotten many "throw away" pieces cheap and used them in multiple projects.

It's easy to dill and just a tiny bit of epoxy or sealant keeps it in place.......and in the event if it needs to be removed it is not hard.

I used to think about the steel wool (rusts) and stainless scrub wool pads but too much $........ The other cheap alternative is a block of wood shaped to fit and with a grove cut into it for the wires to pass along it. Just make sure whatever you use is removable in the future, water resistant and effective.

Oh yeah STOP coating the wires coated with peanut butter which makes them a food source!!

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: mice + wires dont = success

Yeah but the peanut butter probably helps the wires slide so well and prevents chaffing!


I am a little worried about my boat this winter being stored away from my house for a few months... these are good tips i'll definitely have to utilize this winter. Never thought about the trailer being a possible issue - was more worried about the boat itself... I think a couple dryer sheets put in a few places in the trailer frame should help - and probably steel wool in a spot or two.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: mice + wires dont = success

I surround my boat in the winter with traps (like a trapline), Decon and anything else to keep those creatures away. Speaking of mice I have seen quite a few of them this summer, more then in the past, by my house....wonder if they are hungry due to drought and no food or water.

 

[catfishcarl99]

Re: mice + wires dont = success

ya i thought about the wood blocks. or even scrap terex decking which i happen to have a piece of. be weatherproof too like the p-glass.

if you look at the chewed wires you can still see fuzz from the nest on one of them.

whats that scratching noise i keep hearing???:facepalm:

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: mice + wires don't = success

Re: mice + wires don't = success

ya i thought about the wood blocks. or even scrap terex decking which i happen to have a piece of. be weatherproof too like the p-glass.

Are you trying to keep out the weather or the mice?

Plexiglas, wood, and Terex are not rodent proof.
It will slow them down but not for more than an hour!