Difficult to unplug mains lead

[Aeolus]

I find the mains lead very difficult to unplug from the socket on the boat. Is there anything I can apply to lubricate the plug and socket so they'll plug/unplug more easily? It's a standard boat/caravan type (BS 4343?) 16amp connection.

 

[pvb]

A smear of silicone grease on the pins would help.

 

[sarabande]

IIRC some silicone greases are electrically conductive, and some are not.

Edit
http://www.intek-uk.com/silicone_grease.htm


http://www.aosco.com/nonsilicone.html

In any case would it be worth sanding the plug pins first, and checking for corrosion in the socket ?

 

[sunquest]

Not an uncommon problem. I use Maplins contact switch cleaner- works for me.http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=4153

 

[PhilipF]

WD 40 is excellent for this job - I've found so anyway.

 

[johnalison]

[ QUOTE ]
IIRC some silicone greases are electrically conductive, and some are not.



[/ QUOTE ]
I've sometimes wondered about this. Does it matter if the grease is conductive or not (any more than air is) as long as the metal surfaces make enough contact? Will a small amount of grease prevent contact? (And is the grease sufficiently conductive for the current used anyway?)

 

[Thistle]

Silicone grease is certainly tempting but one frequent cause of stiffness in this kind of situation is just grit. If you use grease it will make this aspect of the problem worse. I think I'd start by giving the plug and socket a good clean and, if necessary, smoothing off any roughness caused by the grit with fine wet & dry. Remember to clean thoroughly again after any smoothing to remove any plastic swarf and abrasive particles.

 

[seasolutions]

When fitting this type of socket I always fill the (female) pins with waterproof grease from new - i just use whatever is in my tool box at the time, usually winch grease, but silicone would probably be the best bet, never had corrosion, or stiff plug problems following this treatment. would be a good idea to make sure everything is clean first

 

[VicS]

I'd use a smear of Vaseline on the pins and a smear of silicone grease on any waterproofing O rings on the plug & socket bodies.

 

[Heckler]

Doesnt matter if the "grease" is conductive, the idea is to keep the air from the contacts, the metallic contacts work thru the "grease" to touch and pass current. Petroleum jelly was what I as taught as an apprentice (vaseline) but I use whatever is to hand normally, have vaseline and silicone on board, so what ever is first to hand gets slapped on. WD40 I suppose is better in the context talked about, grit is a prob where thicker lubricant is used. Having said all this, the 16amp connectors on both my boats are dry and i havent/dont have a prob. Only prob I ever had was on the pontoon at St Georges in Dunlaory (sic) for some reason the earth pin socket was too small for the std 16 amp plug, had to file mine to make it fit!
Stu
Stu

 

[sarabande]

the only prob with a conductive grease is if you leave a smidgen between the + and - pins, or between either and the earth pin.

 

[Cariadco]

One simple answer to any stiff electrical plug.....Vaseline.

 

[savageseadog]

I think you'll find its the plastic connector casings that are binding rather than the connectors, have you got a bad moulding? Use silicon grease or vaseline

 

[Skyva_2]

In my case it was definitely the pins, we have a meter on a short lead that was permanently plugged into the long lead, result was it locked solid! Contact cleaner and vaseline every few months keeps it OK since.