Gel Coat for Electrical Connections

[jjhpmag]

Is there a product I can put on battery cables and other electrical leads to avoid corrosion and scaling? With my previous posting to this site about a starter solenoid problem, I found out that a lot if not all of my problems have been with my negative battery lead on the starter housing scaling over the course of a couple days. When I clean the leads, the bolt, the threads, and the housing everything works great. I do not mind doing this every once in a while, but every other day is becoming a bit too much to handle. <br /><br />I heard that there is a product that you can put on an electrical connection that can help prevent some of the scaling/corrosion. Does anyone know of this product or another way to help prevent the rapid scaling I am experiencing?

 

[Don S]

Re: Gel Coat for Electrical Connections

It sounds like you need to start with new cables with crimped and soldered ends, coverd with shrink tubing. Then a good grease will prevent the corrosion. <br />Any grease will work, but there are some on the market that are made for battery connections. Mercruiser puts out a couple of produces that would work. One is the Anti-Corrosion grease, the other a dielectric grease. Check with your local Mercruy/Mercruiser dealer for either.<br />But, to repeat, any grease will work. The main thing is start off with good cables and having them clean and tight. If they are already corroded nothing will help.

 

[kponhlo]

Re: Gel Coat for Electrical Connections

The dielectric grease Don mentioned is pure silicone grease, and you can get a big tube of it at the auto parts store for about $5. The point about proper tightness is well-made also; tight can sometimes make up for not so-clean and not-so-well-greased but grease won't ever make up for not-quite-tight.