Electrical connections and liquid electrical tape

[lakelivin]

I've got an '89 OMC 4.3L cobra. It has started to take several tries to start, in that the first couple of times I turn the key nothing happens, then it will start. I've searched the forums, found several relevent threads, and think I'm ok as to a plan to diagnose and hopefully fix the problem.<br /><br />I've checked the battery, now I'm cleaning connections starting from battery going back to starter, solenoid, etc. I noticed that one of my manifold petcocks drains right on top of the starter/ solenoid. In the past I just opened it up, let it drain, and then pumped all of the water out of the bilge when done. (Think I'll try to rig some type of funnel and hosing to drain directly out of the boat in the future).<br /><br />But my question is should I coat each of the connections to starter, solenoid, etc. with liquid electrical tape to waterproof? Any problem with getting the stuff off when you have to take something apart in the future?

 

[rwidman]

Re: Electrical connections and liquid electrical tape

There are heat shrink tubing pieces and crimp connectors with this type of sealant already in them. This is the best way. Plain heat shrink tubing covered with liquid electrical tape would be second best, liquid electrical tape alone would be third best but much better than nothing at all. I have used all three, you can't get heat shrink tubing on a connection that's already made up. You can put the liquid electrical tape where the wire/cable enters the terminal and on the hole in the other end of the terminal. Don't put it on the screws or terminals, you will not be able to remove it. You can use any number of products made for moisture proofing wire terminals, many come in spray cans. Another option is dielectric grease although this is more appropriate for plugs and sockets such as your trailer connections and lightbulb sockets.<br /><br />Draining water onto the starter and/or electrical connections is not a good idea as you have discovered.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Electrical connections and liquid electrical tape

What I do is clean ALL surfaces with sand paper and a stiff wire brush small enough to get where you need to and put plenty of marine grease or die-electric grease when snugging everything up again.Charlie

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Electrical connections and liquid electrical tape

I cleaned everything with a wire brush and an emery board (turned out to be easier to work with than sandpaper). Then I sprayed with CRC-26 (I think that was the number, not sure, can is down at the boathouse). The last step I was contemplating (and glad I asked before I did it) was to cover the entire connection (including nuts) after retightening with liquid electrical tape. Seemed like that would be hard to beat as far as waterproofing the connection, but as mentioned above, would have been a mess if I ever needed to disconnect.<br /><br />Thaks for the input, I'll have to pick up some grease for final coating. (that wouldn't cut down on the electrical transmission properties at all, would it?)

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Electrical connections and liquid electrical tape

The only problem that I see with coating with liquid elect tape is that the connection can deteriorate within the encased sealant.I have seen it happen.Grease lets you do a visual check when you want and it is easy to take apart and reclean if you ever need to.When you say you cleaned everything,does it all look bright and new looking?????Thats how all the cleaned surfaces should look.You actually remove a thin layer of the metal to get the surface perfectly ready.Charlie

 

[rwidman]

Re: Electrical connections and liquid electrical tape

The liquid electrical tape is for the splices and terminals where they attach to the cables, not for where the terminals screw to switches or terminal blocks. This is where you use the spray or dielectric grease. Dielectric grease is meant for electrical connections and will not harm anything.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Electrical connections and liquid electrical tape

Charlie, yep, used wire brus or emery board till the coonnections were shining. Think I'll put some emery boards in my tookbox, great for small surfaces.<br /><br />rwidman, I'll have to pick up some dielectric grease.<br /><br />Unfortunately, so far the connnections haven't been the problem. Will have to start testing components next.