Keeping water off electrical connections

[Colin F]

Just got a new quad bike, which occassionaly splutters after high speed "puddles" and vigorous jet washing . water is being thrown up onto the electric connections which are all housed together.

What type of spray grease or similar should i use to "waterproof" the connections?

thanks

colin

[Jono Garton]

Hi

Vasaline or Petroleum Jelly every time, when we PDI engines we do all the connectors and also on the trail bikes it worked a treat. Grease apparently can reduce the current???? Don't know if its true but on all the PDI courses we've done its a big no no.

Jono

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Jono Garton

Hi

Vasaline or Petroleum Jelly every time, when we PDI engines we do all the connectors and also on the trail bikes it worked a treat. Grease apparently can reduce the current???? Don't know if its true but on all the PDI courses we've done its a big no no.

Jono

Yep Vaseline, we dip the tinned cables in it before crimping too, we also use a plastic sealing spray I think it came from RS but I would think damp start etc is very similar/ cheaper

James

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by bedajim

Yep Vaseline, we dip the tinned cables in it before crimping too, we also use a plastic sealing spray I think it came from RS but I would think damp start etc is very similar/ cheaper

James

I agree. Holts Damp start is great (as long as you remember to renew it after you unplug anything)

[Colin F]

vaseline it is then with an over spray of dampstart

thanks

[jyasaki]

Be aware that petroleum oils and such *may* attack some rubber and plastic stuff.

There's silicone dielectric grease that's designed specifically for this. Thins out less in heat than vaseline, too, I think.


jky

[Limey Linda]

I totally agree with jya. Dieletric grease is the only way to go. A small tube goes a long way. The basic problem is that electrical connectors are often made of different metals/ plating. This is THE major cause of corrosion NOT salt water. Dis-similar metals in a salt enviro. make a mini battery and hence the corrosion. I learnt this lesson the hard way with a small fire caused by an ally. to copper connection that overheated due to high resistance. It is impossible to determine what metal/ plating is used by the manufacturers so play safe and use the grease. Good reminder jya, thanks. By the way, the best combination is nickel to nickel, but nobody is going to pay for that. Spent 15 years working for Chloride/ Exide so I did learn a few things.

[Colin F]

which one?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?...source=15&SD=Y

with or without PTFE? or is white grease any good?

[Limey Linda]

What ever comes in a tube, don't buy spray stuff as it will not reach the contact surfaces. Dip and dab I am afraid.