Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors
Sooo..... What DID you use as a sealant, now that you've submitted your
credentials, and convinced us all that you know what you're talking about? "Rick" wrote in message link.net... Greg wrote: As a guess, you have no direct experience using it? If so, tell about what you actually did? Guessed wrong. 8-) Worked with building, maintaining, and operating manned deep submersibles to 2000 meters, plus ROV operations and surface marine industry for over 30 years with a break to go airline flying for a few years between seagoing endeavors. Am still sailing in the merchant marine and teach propulsion and sometimes electrical classes at a maritime academy. We made up many of our own cables for submersible work and repaired those that we had commercially built. When I spliced a DC power cable that supplied my life-support system a mile underwater I did not even consider using a silicone sealant anywhere on the splice. The only place we would use those sealants was to seal rubber gaskets in on devices that were not subject to more than minor pressure differentials. The RTV you are referring to may be the 2-part compound that is not readily available to or commonly used by the DIY'er. Common references to RTV are to the single component acetic acid and moisture cured material found in home stores and recreational boat shops. It will not bond to the wiring jacket and water will wick into the splice. It will corrode the conductors. It may take a year or so depending on how severe the exposure and how well the rest of the splice was made but it will wick and the joint will corrode and fail. Rick |
Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors
Rick,
Impressive. Glad you are speaking from personal experience. I respect that and what you say, but do not agree with you about this. I shrink mine from the middle out to squeeze out excess RTV. I have not made connectors like this for deep sea operations. The requested application was for up on a mast for lighting. The RTV will work fine and outlast the light fixtures. Acetic acid corrosion has not been an issue on any of the ones I have made up and/or repaired. Wicking can happen if under pressure, but I usually only need NEMA4 type connections. I have more problems from oil or chemical contaminates. Most of my connections are made up by crimping, soldering and heat shrinking. The RTV was used (and will be again) for added insurance. I am speaking of the silicon 1 part type that can be purchased by DIYs. Normally I use the Dow Corning red...cannot remember the number right now, but I buy by the 12 pack for use on gaskets for test fixtures. I currently design and build test fixtures for Whirlpool's product development labs, and am a Controls Engineer by profession. For years I designed and built control systems for automated production, assembly, or testing for the US Navy, Chrysler, Ford, Bosch, etc. and am semi-retired now. Incidentally, your work experience sounds like fun to me. How do you still sail in the Merchant Marine and also find time to teach? Greg Luckett "Rick" wrote in message link.net... Greg wrote: As a guess, you have no direct experience using it? If so, tell about what you actually did? Guessed wrong. 8-) Worked with building, maintaining, and operating manned deep submersibles to 2000 meters, plus ROV operations and surface marine industry for over 30 years with a break to go airline flying for a few years between seagoing endeavors. Am still sailing in the merchant marine and teach propulsion and sometimes electrical classes at a maritime academy. We made up many of our own cables for submersible work and repaired those that we had commercially built. When I spliced a DC power cable that supplied my life-support system a mile underwater I did not even consider using a silicone sealant anywhere on the splice. The only place we would use those sealants was to seal rubber gaskets in on devices that were not subject to more than minor pressure differentials. The RTV you are referring to may be the 2-part compound that is not readily available to or commonly used by the DIY'er. Common references to RTV are to the single component acetic acid and moisture cured material found in home stores and recreational boat shops. It will not bond to the wiring jacket and water will wick into the splice. It will corrode the conductors. It may take a year or so depending on how severe the exposure and how well the rest of the splice was made but it will wick and the joint will corrode and fail. Rick -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors
Rick,
Impressive. Glad you are speaking from personal experience. I respect that and what you say, but do not agree with you about this. I shrink mine from the middle out to squeeze out excess RTV. I have not made connectors like this for deep sea operations. The requested application was for up on a mast for lighting. The RTV will work fine and outlast the light fixtures. Acetic acid corrosion has not been an issue on any of the ones I have made up and/or repaired. Wicking can happen if under pressure, but I usually only need NEMA4 type connections. I have more problems from oil or chemical contaminates. Most of my connections are made up by crimping, soldering and heat shrinking. The RTV was used (and will be again) for added insurance. I am speaking of the silicon 1 part type that can be purchased by DIYs. Normally I use the Dow Corning red...cannot remember the number right now, but I buy by the 12 pack for use on gaskets for test fixtures. I currently design and build test fixtures for Whirlpool's product development labs, and am a Controls Engineer by profession. For years I designed and built control systems for automated production, assembly, or testing for the US Navy, Chrysler, Ford, Bosch, etc. and am semi-retired now. Incidentally, your work experience sounds like fun to me. How do you still sail in the Merchant Marine and also find time to teach? Greg Luckett "Rick" wrote in message link.net... Greg wrote: As a guess, you have no direct experience using it? If so, tell about what you actually did? Guessed wrong. 8-) Worked with building, maintaining, and operating manned deep submersibles to 2000 meters, plus ROV operations and surface marine industry for over 30 years with a break to go airline flying for a few years between seagoing endeavors. Am still sailing in the merchant marine and teach propulsion and sometimes electrical classes at a maritime academy. We made up many of our own cables for submersible work and repaired those that we had commercially built. When I spliced a DC power cable that supplied my life-support system a mile underwater I did not even consider using a silicone sealant anywhere on the splice. The only place we would use those sealants was to seal rubber gaskets in on devices that were not subject to more than minor pressure differentials. The RTV you are referring to may be the 2-part compound that is not readily available to or commonly used by the DIY'er. Common references to RTV are to the single component acetic acid and moisture cured material found in home stores and recreational boat shops. It will not bond to the wiring jacket and water will wick into the splice. It will corrode the conductors. It may take a year or so depending on how severe the exposure and how well the rest of the splice was made but it will wick and the joint will corrode and fail. Rick -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors
"Greg" wrote in message ... Acetic acid corrosion has not been an issue on any of the ones I have made up and/or repaired. I have experienced Acetic acid corrosion in the past (didn't know what to call it). I used liberal amount silicone on a VHF connector at the mast head. 3 years later, when I pulled the mast, peeled off the silicone, the metal connector were almost completely consumed by corrosion. I suspect that the application was so heavy that the silicone compound didn't have an opportuntiy to fully cure and the acid in contact with the metal had a reaction with the metals of the connector.. It's been a few years but I seem to remember a strong acidic smell and the surface of the remaining metal/mush was damp with this acid. I stopped using silicone anywhere I would need a heavy buildup that might trap or hold in the acid. For electrical connection I stand by my earlier recommendations to purchase the connectors that have a heavy adhesive shrink sleeving.. They are expensive but for mast wiring the OP is only going to need a half dozen. Steve s/v Good Intentions |
Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors
"Greg" wrote in message ... Acetic acid corrosion has not been an issue on any of the ones I have made up and/or repaired. I have experienced Acetic acid corrosion in the past (didn't know what to call it). I used liberal amount silicone on a VHF connector at the mast head. 3 years later, when I pulled the mast, peeled off the silicone, the metal connector were almost completely consumed by corrosion. I suspect that the application was so heavy that the silicone compound didn't have an opportuntiy to fully cure and the acid in contact with the metal had a reaction with the metals of the connector.. It's been a few years but I seem to remember a strong acidic smell and the surface of the remaining metal/mush was damp with this acid. I stopped using silicone anywhere I would need a heavy buildup that might trap or hold in the acid. For electrical connection I stand by my earlier recommendations to purchase the connectors that have a heavy adhesive shrink sleeving.. They are expensive but for mast wiring the OP is only going to need a half dozen. Steve s/v Good Intentions |
Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors
Electrical grade RTV Silicone uses a different catalyst than the stuff
that smells like acid. Some of the chalking silicones do too and they don't smell like acid either. I started working with RTV's 35 years ago in the lab at GE. I don't recall any of the electrical grade stuff ever smelling of acid. I first noticed this years later when the chalking products hit the market. I suspect it is a cheaper product, good enough to chalk your house but not to be used on electrical stuff. Unless, of coarse you use acid core solder. Ron |
Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors
Electrical grade RTV Silicone uses a different catalyst than the stuff
that smells like acid. Some of the chalking silicones do too and they don't smell like acid either. I started working with RTV's 35 years ago in the lab at GE. I don't recall any of the electrical grade stuff ever smelling of acid. I first noticed this years later when the chalking products hit the market. I suspect it is a cheaper product, good enough to chalk your house but not to be used on electrical stuff. Unless, of coarse you use acid core solder. Ron |
Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors
For electrical connection I stand by my earlier recommendations
to purchase the connectors that have a heavy adhesive shrink sleeving.. They are expensive but for mast wiring the OP is only going to need a half dozen. Has anyone tried Liquid Tape? We have used it in Sat TV work and it has worked well in painting the connections and connectors. Leanne |
Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors
For electrical connection I stand by my earlier recommendations
to purchase the connectors that have a heavy adhesive shrink sleeving.. They are expensive but for mast wiring the OP is only going to need a half dozen. Has anyone tried Liquid Tape? We have used it in Sat TV work and it has worked well in painting the connections and connectors. Leanne |
Need some "waterproof" 12 v power connectors
Greg wrote:
Incidentally, your work experience sounds like fun to me. How do you still sail in the Merchant Marine and also find time to teach? It has been a lot of fun. I now sail for just 4 to 6 months of the year and only teach the winter quarter. Rick |
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