corrosion problems

[pensacola]

I seem to be having some corrosion problems at the switch bank at my dashboard. Sometimes my bilge pump and blower work sometimes they don't. I have traced it all out and if I wiggle the connections at the switch or fuse block they will come on. Is there something I can put on the connections to stop this? Also my anchor light does the same thing. I have to stick it in then move it all around to get it to come on.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: corrosion problems

you need to clean all the connections, and use some dielectric grease. on the contact. you are boating in a salt enviroment, the air is going to corrode things. salt boats require twice the maintenance of the fresh water boat.

 

[alandchris]

Re: corrosion problems

? clean with some emery cloth or ?
what's the recommended way - i have a similar issue - where I'm thinking to replace the connections - but on the fuse panel - to clean them...

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: corrosion problems

TD is right - get it clean (emery cloth is OK) and apply a thin coating of diaelectric grease on all connections. It will maintain the electrical integrity of the connection and keep the corrosion from forming.

I have also used some stuff called "Corrosion X". This stuff isn't thick like grease, rather it's much thinner - like a heavy weight oil. It's claim to fame is that it "penetrates the neutralizes the existing oxidation and gets to the base metal". We use this stuff at work in offshore connector maintenance with good results.

 

[BillP]

Re: corrosion problems

Ditto...put dielectric grease on every electical connection (including fishfinders, radios, etc) on the boat, motor....everything. Don't worry about using too much. Your corrosion issues will go away for at least 5-10yrs with use around saltwater.

bp

 

[pensacola]

Re: corrosion problems

Thanks for the info. I am a electrician and I use a thing called no-lox to keep wire connections from oxidizing so I imagine that will work just the same. Is that whats happening is oxidization? You put the grease on spark plug wires and all?

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: corrosion problems

The dielectric grease is used on the outside - external ceramic and metal terminal - of the spark plug and the inside of the rubber spark plug boots. It keeps water and corrosion away and maintains electrical contact between the wire and the terminal. The outside of the spark plug wires, however, should probably be kept clean since these are high tension wires. An accummulaton of salt and dirt on the outside of these wires is probably not a good thing.

As far as the low voltage stuff (12/24 VDC) dielectric grease on all of the connections is good. The wires themselves, however, should probably be kept clean just as a matter of good housekeeping - but a little grease on the outside of the wires won't hurt a thing.

 

[BillP]

Re: corrosion problems

Thanks for the info. I am a electrician and I use a thing called no-lox to keep wire connections from oxidizing so I imagine that will work just the same. Is that whats happening is oxidization? You put the grease on spark plug wires and all?

I'm not an electrician but from what I know of noLOX its mainly for aluminum to aluminum connections. I don't know if it works on copper but yes, oxidizing is the issue with boat wire...which is tinned copper. Dielectric is NON conductive and used for all metal to metal connections to keep air/moisture out and to prevent spark jumping. In a pinch you could probably coat a bad wire cover to keep sparks from jumping but it's not meant for that.

Dielectric coating is what the elec mfg industry uses on electronics to "waterproof" the motherboard and internal components.

bp

 

[pensacola]

Re: corrosion problems

You are right. Its mainly used on aluminum connections but can be used on copper. I beleive its conductive though so I will go pick up some dielectric grease at the parts store.