Onboard Tool Box?

[redneck joe]

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

It is a great way to seal an electrical connection in a marine environment. I have used it for years.

yep

 

[JoLin]

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

My tool box is very simple. I figure the amounts of things you can deal with while on the water are pretty minimal. My basic tool the number for sea tow.

What he said. I used to carry a lot more than I do now. I finally sat down and figured out what I could actually deal with if I'm stuffed in the engine bay, with the boat rolling and pitching. Most of my tools stay in my car at the dock- I can fix a lot more there. If I'm going to stay at another dockage for a few days or longer I toss them into the boat.

I normally carry fuel filters, filter wrench, one full set of engine belts and the tools to change them out. 2 quarts of oil. Duct tape, electrical tape and rescue tape. DVOM, fuses, bulbs, some wire and crimp connectors. My leatherman tool, some screwdrivers, adjustable wrenches, channel lock and other pliers.

 

[gmarktho]

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

Agree with the items listed in the above comments and TOTALLY agree with a set of jumper cables not only in case I need them but to assist others in need......

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

Great idea for a post! I'm still in the planning stages of what "needs" to be carried. We don't venture to far from where we launch (due to size of lakes in Colorado). In my Baja I carried a Leatherman, prop wrench, spare prop (with nut, cotter pin) and jumper cables, small socket set, channel locks and multi-screwdriver. Only needed channel locks and screwdriver over the years in an urgent (non-emergency) way. In my camper, I have a fully stocked toolbox with duct tape and needle nose Vise-Grips (both, life savers). I plan on adding duct tape or rescue tape along with my needle nose Vise-Grips to my boat dry bag along with a few basics!!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

outside of spark plug wires, where would one use a non-conductive, electrically isolating grease?

wow. I always assumed dialectric was made to enhance conduction as well as seal/protect. May explain some funkiness on one of my motors where I carefully "fixed" the connections from coils to plugs and even plug threads. And the motor acted stupid. Time to retrofit!

 

[OllieC]

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

A spare drain plug for the boat and a small tube of QUICK dry marine epoxy just incase you get a hole in a hull and a small wire brush about toothbrush size.

Since you are in Minnesota...... a selection of pints of alcohol (for cleaning things) such as rum, brandy and maybe a nice single malt

I have a dedicated toolbox that is water resistant to keep things dry.

I like your list the best!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

Dielectric grease does not affect the electrical connection in any way......
the REASON you use dielectric grease is simply to seal out water and contaminants... The REASON for "dielectric" (non conducting) is so that is does not short out the connection.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

so a layer of dialectic on the connectors of a plug before connecting, or on the tip of a sparkplug/coil and inside the cap before connecting, won't affect the connection? Seems either it conducts or it doesn't.

 

[Grandad]

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

so a layer of dialectic on the connectors of a plug before connecting, or on the tip of a sparkplug/coil and inside the cap before connecting, won't affect the connection? Seems either it conducts or it doesn't.

It does sound contradictory, but the term dielectric is a bit of a misnomer. Grease tends to spread, particularly when warm. Using a grease on closely spaced terminals could cause current leakage between the terminals, except that it is "dielectric" to the extent that it won't carry any significant current. As far as interfering with the conductivity between connected parts, don't worry about it. It doesn't insulate, it just won't provide a current path. I've used it for years smeared on all surfaces of a battery terminal for example before connecting to the post. I've never had a problem. - Grandad

 

[Backwaters2]

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

Be careful what you ask for, this is the on board tool box I found on a recent boat I purchased. Way past its useful life!

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

Socket wrench with plug socket, 1 small adjustable 1 large adjustable wrench, channel locks, vice grips, multi tip screwdriver, Needle nose pliers, zip ties, electrical tape and JUMPER CABLES! Cables have saved twice alone last year. Once when the starter solenoid went bad and once when the battery died and I had to use the trolling motor battery.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

Be careful what you ask for, this is the on board tool box I found on a recent boat I purchased. Way past its useful life!

I always used a plastic box. One good thing, it looks like they never needed it.......... Which is a good thing on multiple levels......

 

[dingbat]

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

It doesn't insulate, it just won't provide a current path.

:facepalm:

For the life of me, I don't understand why you would use a substance with insulative proprieties (specification for such on the tube) when they make an electrically conductive grease designed for the application. :noidea:

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

I have a complete Craftsman tool kit including wrenches and sockets inits balck carry case and another small box with screwdrivers and pliers. When i work on my boat in my driveway I rarely have to leave the boat to get more tools. Not only does this prevent me from having to get in and out of the boat constantly, it also tells me I can do almost any repair if I was away from home.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

Dielectric grease does not affect the electrical connection in any way......
the REASON you use dielectric grease is simply to seal out water and contaminants... The REASON for "dielectric" (non conducting) is so that is does not short out the connection.

Ayuh,..... See below,.... I use axle grease most of the time,....

Silicone grease for the inside of the rubber of a spark plug boot, just so's it'll come Off later,...

 

[Grandad]

Re: Onboard Tool Box?

:facepalm:

For the life of me, I don't understand why you would use a substance with insulative proprieties (specification for such on the tube) when they make an electrically conductive grease designed for the application. :noidea:

Hi dingbat. The conductive greases (such as Noalox by Ideal) will prevent corrosion and are the product of choice at terminations of large aluminum cables in power distribution systems. The problem with using it on a terminal strip of smaller conductors is that it can spread as grease tends to and you can get leakage and tracking between terminals. Noalox's MSD sheet lists it as containing 20% zinc.
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j...-SI2QBNgcZ7erwV3Q&sig2=O4wakz7ySBbtqLd4aOZwTw Dielectric grease is engineered not as an insulator, but as a product without conductive properties. Like I said before, it does sound contradictory, but the thin film that might get between a terminal and it's mating surface squeezes out enough that you still get good contact. - Grandad