Chanquete
Member
Moisture loves electrical connections.
How often should we apply wd40 or similar products?
How often should we apply wd40 or similar products?
Humidity and electric connections
- Thread starter Chanquete
- Start date
RupertW
Well-known member
Ideally never if you concentrate on moisture resistant connections, tinned wire and make the boat as dry as possible.
Poey50
Well-known member
I use Contralube or Ox-guard on any connections vulnerable to damp and corrosion, and dielectric grease for routine connections.
Plum
Well-known member
I've been using WD-40 on electrical connections for 40 years, usually reapply once per year, and never have and connection problems. Make sure you shake the can before use as the contents will settle/separate.
Edit: i am refering to what is now called WD-40 Multi-use Lubricant. WD-40 is a brand name misleadingly used on a dozen different products so you can't just say "use WD-40". It's the same with saying "use Gorilla Glue" without saying which one of their mny different types you are refering to.
Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
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neil_s
Well-known member
I use ACF 50 - and it seems to keep working.
Chanquete
Member
Today I sprayed all the plugs and connectors with wd 40 and the problem disappeared.
Thanks to all!
Thanks to all!
DownWest
Well-known member
Water Dispersant 40 used to be called Rocket WD 40, as it was used by the space people to, err, displace water, or moisture on space launch vehicles.
Very good at lots of other things, as a lubricant. Not so great on releasing seized nuts or rusty stuff. Works, but there are better liquids.
Very good at lots of other things, as a lubricant. Not so great on releasing seized nuts or rusty stuff. Works, but there are better liquids.
DownWest
Well-known member
Tha
That sort of depends on the size and construction of your boat. Bigger GRP vessels are easier to keep dry, smaller wooden ones, much less so. Agree with the use of tinned wire and sealing connectors.
KompetentKrew
Well-known member
Never. It must be a very wet boat if this is a concern.
If you use the correct size crimps for the wire then it shouldn't be possible for much water to get in. Use heat-shrink crimps if you like. I sometimes put heatshrink over the crimps, but this is excessive.
If you have electrical connections below the sole / in the bilges then you're never going to keep them dry - try to run the wires somewhere drier.
Chanquete
Member
Perhaps it is convenient to take into account that my local climate, at 34 degree latitude is humid subtropical, and condensation phenomena are frequent.
thinwater
Well-known member
I would volunteer that any fixed (not plug) connections that require maintenance with WD-40 or similar are made improperly. This is true no matter how damp the environment, perhaps doubly so. Start over with the basics.
For plugs, either waterproof grease (or purpose-made products like No-Ox-Id) for most, and dielectric grease for high voltages (ignition).
For plugs, either waterproof grease (or purpose-made products like No-Ox-Id) for most, and dielectric grease for high voltages (ignition).
Stemar
Well-known member
WD40 will dry out and leave no protection behind. ACF50 is what you need. A quick squirt as part of your winter layup prep should keep things going. Of course anything that's actually going to get wet just needs to be done properly.
Plum
Well-known member
Not in my experience.
RupertW
Well-known member
I’d say it applies even more to wooden boats. I remember doing so much caulking and deck canvassing to change the boat from a damp bilge swilling boat to a lovely smelling dry boat.
