Poor/intermittent electrical connections

[Guest]

I have a Fairline Targa 33 and I am battling to deal with poor or intermittent electrical connections in the electrics - principally engine instruments and charging circuits. I woulld welcome practical tips and hints on cleaning connections within connector blocks etc. Is there a product that can help me to clean the male/female connectors and once clean what can I do to inhibit corrosion in an inherently humid climate.

 

[Guest]

If this is a general malaise throughout the system I would consider re-wiring. Use marine wire not auto although many do and don't get trouble. Marine wire is a different metal so it resists corrosion. Terminal blocks should be trashed if they are the least bit corroded and replaced with BRASS including BRASS screws. You can spray the system to preserve it from corrosion there is a special Silicon Electrical spray. This can be bought from a good industrial tool supplier or electronics outlet the likes of Tandy or Maplin - try their web sites. Don't use WD40 as this is slightly conductive and might give other problems. Unfortunately there are no short cuts - If the wire ends look a bit blackish or corroded rip the lot out and start again!! But be careful - use the right size wire for the job otherwise you'll risk voltage drop.

 

[Guest]

Maplins is the most likly, Tandies was turned into a mobil phone outfit.
Use heatshrink with glue on all joints and crimps. Again Maplins. Cut right it will seal the end of the wire.

 

[andyball]

Use tin plated brass terminals for better protection against corrosion....more expensive,but last much longer.Wire can be tinned copper,again...lasts longer in damp, but not as good(or expensive) as proper marine stuff...Maplin etc is good for tinned wire.

Usually, a local auto-electrical place can supply "AMP" block connectors and terminals(tin plated,if you ask), these are widely used on commercials,fairly cheap, but not splashproof,although the plating helps resist corrosion.

Contact cleaner/corrosion inhibitor ( maplin+ many others) will help short term,though often the corroded layer must be rubbed away by hand to get a good connection.

"japanese connectors" on
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.co.uk/VWPweb2000/terms-non/terms-non.html

are good for single connections...they're plated, and have a soft plastic cover making them resistant to the ingress of water. Same firm sell AMP type blocks etc, but not tin plated to my knowledge.also crimp tools etc etc

http://www.beal.org.uk/

sell h/shrink (very cheap,good quality)+ some connectors/tools.... good range of "small" ring terminals for battery connections which are hard to find elsewhere

I've no connection with these firms other than as a customer,they both have good printed catalogues.
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