Protecting electrical connections

[lakelivin]

I've learned that it's important to protect exposed electrical connections in a boat. Can anyone recommend what exactly to use for this?<br /><br />I know dielectrical grease is one option. Others have mentioned sprays. Do sprays work as well as the grease? A spray would seem to be a bit neater and easier to thoroughly apply. <br /><br />If true, exactly what spray would you recommend? I've looked at CRC 6-56 but read that it can tend to make plastic wire coating brittle over time. I've got some CRC 2-26 but that doesn't seem like it's very heavy duty and would wear off farily quickly.<br /><br />Also, does anyone know why some of these type things cost so much to ship by iboats? I ordered a bunch of things yesterday, came from two warehouses, shipping not too bad ($7-$8 each warehouse). But if I added a $3 tube of dielectric grease, shipping went up like $4 or $5 dolars, even though it was coming from one of the same warehouses the other stuff was shipping from. Same with a small can of T-9 Corrosion Protectant and a can of Silicone spray lube. Obviously any savings were offset by additional shipping charges, so I'll pick up those things locally.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Protecting electrical connections

I think this is good stuff:<br /><br />

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Protecting electrical connections

Mark, I have some similar stuff but have been told that you don't want to use it on the actual terminals because of difficulty getting it off if you need to disconnect something.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Protecting electrical connections

Lakelivin,<br /><br />That stuff is all over the connections on my motor and under my dash. It's not on very thick and the screws come loose and connectors pull out with no problems. I don't think this stuff is supposed to be gobbed on. A simple neat coat is all you need.<br /><br />I have not tried to scrape it off anything, but it doesn't look like it would be a problem.

 

[BillP]

Re: Protecting electrical connections

I use CRC 2-26 for most electrical terminal/panel connections (and under the cowl on the whole powerhead)because it doesn't build up and is easy to use. It's a light mineral oil. For electrical harness/plugs, etc I use diaelectric grease. My panels and exposed terminals get sprayed about every 6-8 months and corrosion stays away. The grease gets done every 2-3 yrs. If I had to pick one it would be grease.<br /><br />Before using 2-26 I used CRC Heavy Duty Corrosion spray, it works and lasts a long time...but felt it might leave too much residue over time. I just use it on non electical stuff now. People at the CRC tech line told me not to use 6-56 on wires for the reasons you mentioned...long term drying/cracking of the insulation. Disconnect the battery when using any of these and wait until they are completely dry before reconnection. I wait overnight.<br /><br />My one and only try with brush on electical tape ended up with it getting brittle and cracking quickly. That was a long time ago so maybe modern brush on works better.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Protecting electrical connections

I'm mostly concerned with things like the ring terminal ground connections and ring terminal connections to the starter/ solenoid/ assist solenoid. <br /><br />I suspect the liguid electrical tape would provide the best protection, but see it as a potential pain to get it off the bolt threads/ nuts/ ring terminals when anything needs to be disconnected. <br /><br />I've got a coating of CRC 2-26 on these right now, but given that these connections are fully exposed in the engine compartment, it seems like something a bit more heavy duty is in order. Think I'll use the dielectric grease on these connections.<br /><br />Bill, when you say you use the grease on electrical harnesses & plugs, do you mean just coating the outside of the connection after it's plugged in or actually coating the metal male connectors before plugging them in?

 

[BillP]

Re: Protecting electrical connections

I do it like the factory does...pull the connector apart and coat everything with heavy dabs of dielectric grease. Then snap back together. It makes connection but won't let the bad elements in. External connections can be coated with it too but I use the 2-26 because it penetrates easier and better. I spray the entire motor (powerhead, leg, all metal parts) with 2-26 every 6 months or so with a dripping wet application. It keeps corrosion away and seals the electricals. Takes about half a can to do it. <br /><br />The tech line at CRC told me to use 2-26 for these applications...and not to use 6-56 for long term applications on wiring. Unfortunately, many of the marine techs I see use the 6-56 and don't know CRC says it will eventually dry and crack wiring insulation. I just shows you have to do your own homework.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Protecting electrical connections

Also, does anyone know why some of these type things cost so much to ship by iboats?

Try contacting someone at iboats, only they would be able to answer that question.