An electrical 'ounce of prevention'?

[Dale I]

For those new boat owners and those who have newer rewiring, what product would best suit an overall spray-down of connections and panel boards to postpone the inevitable corrosion of connections? Is there a problem with initial conductivity of the propellant while spraying an energized panel? Is there a conductivity problem re-connecting wires after they have treated with an anti-corrosion product? I have read the CRC Product labels...and some appear better suited for retro-fit or after having made the connection...but not during.. ...and it seems that Practical Sailor did something with petroleum jelly while making up connections that didn't do much with the longevity of the connection. Thanks for your thoughts here...

 

[Gord May]

Sealants & Anti-Oxidants

There are several compound that I've used (successfuly) on wire joints & terminations:Starbrite Liquid Electrical Tape3M Scotchkote Elect. Coating,and #1602/1603 SealerCorrosion XAnti-Oxidants such as:Ideal "No-Alox", Burndy "Penetrox", GB "Ox-Gaurd"I like to seal all (new)terminations with silicone, inside a clear heat shrink tube.Check out "Ohm's Law & Boats" under Yacht maintenance, boat building ... @ the link.Regards,Gord

 

[Tim Donley]

Tinned wire

In addition to the info in Gord Mays' reply, always use tinned wire.The wire on some of the components we buy are not always tinned in which case try to find a simmilar product that is. If you are left no choice you may tin a short distance with solder yourself . This will only slow down the inevitable "green creep" but may also make the wire to stiff to absorb vibration. Sealing the connection as Gord May advised will help more than anything else.Ancor Products manufactures tinned wire and also crimp connectors with shrinkwrap isulation on the crimp terminal. These are avialable at most marine stores.I would think the manufactures of any part used in a marine environment would use tinned wire, Come on how much more would it cost for the foot of wire they provide on the component? I'll pay more without hesitation if the quality is there.I understand that some items , the marine sales are but a small amount of the target market,however why not improve across the board? I guess the margin won't allow fractions of a cent to be tolerated. -------TINNED WIRE---------See Ya out there, Tim