Waterproofing electrics

[NeilT]

Not a new topic but i can't find any posts on this exactly.

I've got the carpet up and access to a lot of vulnerably placed connections. I also have a can of spray lithium grease (3 in 1 pro). It occurred to me that if i filled the connectors up with this grease it'll stop water damage if i should sink my surf again. It says it's good for battery terminals but i can't find anything definite on google about using it like this. I've experimented with a volt meter and it neither conducts or gives any resistance when the probes are coated so it seems possible. Has anyone any opinions if it's a good idea or not, or something else i should use.

Many thanks
Neil

[jaky cakes]

Not a new topic but i can't find any posts on this exactly.

I've got the carpet up and access to a lot of vulnerably placed connections. I also have a can of spray lithium grease (3 in 1 pro). It occurred to me that if i filled the connectors up with this grease it'll stop water damage if i should sink my surf again. It says it's good for battery terminals but i can't find anything definite on google about using it like this. I've experimented with a volt meter and it neither conducts or gives any resistance when the probes are coated so it seems possible. Has anyone any opinions if it's a good idea or not, or something else i should use.

Many thanks
Neil

I've always soaked my connections with wd40 prior to winter on all my cars (something my grandfather used to do.
wd40 drives out moisture and coats terminals to prevent further ingress.

[Big Jonah]

Not a new topic but i can't find any posts on this exactly.

I've got the carpet up and access to a lot of vulnerably placed connections. I also have a can of spray lithium grease (3 in 1 pro). It occurred to me that if i filled the connectors up with this grease it'll stop water damage if i should sink my surf again. It says it's good for battery terminals but i can't find anything definite on google about using it like this. I've experimented with a volt meter and it neither conducts or gives any resistance when the probes are coated so it seems possible. Has anyone any opinions if it's a good idea or not, or something else i should use.

Many thanks
Neil

It has to either conduct or insulate, can't be both an insulator and a conductor (unless it's a solid state semi-conductor..)






Plus, would be a tad on the messy side. Self amalgimating (not sure if that is the correct spelling!) tape would do the trick. Easy to apply and remove if you need to get to the connections in the future.

Try that, or, clean up your door seals!

[NeilT]

Cheers for that, I've soaked with WD but it doesn't last for long, thats why it's an every year thing to put it on, i don't want my carpets up again ever if possible

I know it'd be a bit messy but i wasn't going to cake it on, just a spray in the blocks. It'd still get gritty though i guess.... Tape idea is possible but thats stuffs expensive and there are a lot of connections..... Is there a cheap lazy way that's just as good.... Yes i know, I've got a bad attitude.......

The grease doesn't conduct, so it insulates. It'll keep water out but i was worried I'd spray it in, connect the blocks and find the coating of grease has got between the metals, at least enough to give some resistance. I coated the volt meter's probes, left them for a few hours and pressed them together measuring resistance, the grease doesn't dry so as long as there's some pressure there's no resistance. Is this then a heavy duty long lasting WD40 alternative???

[Chillitt]

shrink wrap ?

[NeilT]

shrink wrap ?

Definitely wouldn't work, water pours out between the layers if you shake it about a bit, must be some form of super capillary action going on. This is the technical section isn't it? Ever tried grease?

[NiftyNev]

I don't think silicon grease is suitable for electrical connections but I may be wrong. There is an electriconics compatable grease available but don't know what it's called. The diagnostic terminal in the Surf is usually packed with it. I'm sure your local electronics parts store will have someone who knows of this.

Nev

[Bogus]

Hairspray works as waterproofing on electrics. Not sure of how long term though as the film formed will crack with movement

Bogus

[NiftyNev]

This is what you need. Made by several companies including CRC.

Nev

[Morr]

Whilst it doesn't cover the electrics too well, this site does cover a general waterproofing of a Surf pretty well.

[Medieval Dave]

Look on motorbike sites.

For all weater biking people used to use KY jelly in the connectors, but you could get cleverer stuff which I think was called white lithium electrical spray, but I'm not sure it filed the connectos up with a white go which was almost but not quite solid. You used to be able to get it from all kinds of bike shops plus also mail order places like M&P Motorcycles. Remember that the ignition wiring is in the wet a lot on a bike. Sorry I cannot remember the name but KY jelly or spray elcectical grease was defintiely the stuff, so i would try bike acccessory websites.

Dave

[NeilT]

Many thanks for all the thoughts on it, from what i've read silicone grease isn't a good idea, lithium should be ok as the electrical sprays are based with it. I'll try the one i got and I'll let you know if it gives any problems.

I love this picture on the waterproofing site - Surf swims!