"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

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

Ron Thornton wrote:
I suspect it is a cheaper product, good enough
to chalk your house but not to be used on electrical stuff.

Caution about house caulking silicon, I use some on an electrical
device only to find out that the silicon caulking compount is
electrically conductive. Fortunately I was able to peel away the
silicon. I had installed resistors and LEDs to indicate open fuses on
an old VW fusebox, and wondered why connecting 12v to one LED, caused
multiple LEDs to illuminate.

Mike.

Ron Thornton wrote:
I suspect it is a cheaper product, good enough
to chalk your house but not to be used on electrical stuff.

Caution about house caulking silicon, I use some on an electrical
device only to find out that the silicon caulking compount is
electrically conductive. Fortunately I was able to peel away the
silicon. I had installed resistors and LEDs to indicate open fuses on
an old VW fusebox, and wondered why connecting 12v to one LED, caused
multiple LEDs to illuminate.

Mike.

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

Leanne wrote:

Has anyone tried Liquid Tape?

It is good stuff. We use it onboard ship as a substitute for Scotchkote.
Another substitute, especially for neoprene jacketed wire is wet suit
glue ... I believe all three are essentially the same product though
Scotchkote is a much higher quality and is thickened with some type of
plasticizer.

Rick

On Mon, 1 Dec 2003 18:23:49 -0500, "Leanne" wrote:

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.

I've used it for all sorts of jobs around the boat. Works great.

Steve

Leanne wrote:

Has anyone tried Liquid Tape?

It is good stuff. We use it onboard ship as a substitute for Scotchkote.
Another substitute, especially for neoprene jacketed wire is wet suit
glue ... I believe all three are essentially the same product though
Scotchkote is a much higher quality and is thickened with some type of
plasticizer.

Rick

On Mon, 1 Dec 2003 18:23:49 -0500, "Leanne" wrote:

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.

I've used it for all sorts of jobs around the boat. Works great.

Steve

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