Waterproof connectors ?

C

chrisp929

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 29, 2010
Messages
189
What are you guys using for waterproof connectors when wiring your trailers up. I'm about to wire up a trailer and i want to do it right the first time.

Thanks
 
bigdee

bigdee

Commander
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Jul 27, 2006
Messages
2,667
Re: Waterproof connectors ?

solder,shrink tubing & silicon RTV is the only foolproof method. crimped butt spices will do if sealed with silicon.....stay away from those clamshell type squeeze connectors.
 
R

reelfishin

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Mar 19, 2007
Messages
3,047
Re: Waterproof connectors ?

I second the solder and heatshrink method.
You can buy self sealing heat shrink tubing too, its often sold as marine heat shrink or just water proof shrink tube.
I used to get mine from a local truck parts house. Try any auto electrical store or good parts house.

The stuff is basically heavy gauge heat shrink tubing with a hot glue coating inside.
If you in saltwater or run salt covered roads, then it's the only answer.
 
paultjohnson

paultjohnson

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Re: Waterproof connectors ?

i have had good luck with liquid electrical tape. Especially if used with heat shrink tubing
 
sqbtr

sqbtr

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Feb 23, 2010
Messages
716
Re: Waterproof connectors ?

Permaseal terminals, crimp on with the glue filled shrink tube already attached.
 
P

PBarrett

Seaman
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Jun 1, 2010
Messages
60
Re: Waterproof connectors ?

Weather Pack or Deutsch connectors are the only way to go. Do it right and do it once.

PB
 
bkwapisz

bkwapisz

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Oct 20, 2009
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Re: Waterproof connectors ?

I took the plastic insulators off of the inline crimp connectors, crimped them bare, then soldered, then heat shrink tubing, then electrical tape over that. I once bought some connectors labelled "weatherproof" and they basically looked like the normal connectors with longer plastic sleeves. Prob are better options but that's what I had on hand and I usually only use my trailer to launch in the spring and to retrieve in the fall.
 
109jb

109jb

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Re: Waterproof connectors ?

bkwapisz said:
I took the plastic insulators off of the inline crimp connectors, crimped them bare, then soldered, then heat shrink tubing, then electrical tape over that. I once bought some connectors labelled "weatherproof" and they basically looked like the normal connectors with longer plastic sleeves. Prob are better options but that's what I had on hand and I usually only use my trailer to launch in the spring and to retrieve in the fall.
Click to expand...

They my have been heat shrink sleeves on those connectors, not just ordinary plastic.

I use crimp butt connectors that come with a heat shrink sleeve already on them. I once was able to get these with a corrosion resistant gel inside them, but I can't seem to find them anymore.
 
bkwapisz

bkwapisz

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H

Home Cookin'

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Re: Waterproof connectors ?

In addition to shrink wrap, I sometimes add "liquid electrical tape".
It is also good for sealing black guages, etc. or guages against a black dashboard.

Ultimately, nothing is waterproof or salt proof, so leave some slack for replacing connectors and lights. Protect against chafing along the line--that's where most problems occur. And unplug your lights before dunking the trailer.
 
J

jeeperman

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Joined
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Messages
1,513
Re: Waterproof connectors ?

Lots of fancy-pantsy options.

I use wirenuts pre-filled with high temp grease.

Easy to undo and redo without cutting wires and installing those new fancy-pantsy connectors every time.

Works for me.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Mar 5, 2006
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30,533
Re: Waterproof connectors ?

jeeperman said:
Easy to undo and redo without cutting wires and installing those new fancy-pantsy connectors every time.
Click to expand...
Of course if you do it right the first ime, you never have to re do it.

just saying... :)
 
sasto

sasto

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Re: Waterproof connectors ?

We were using fingernail polish (black) by applying it into the barrel of the connector thus sealing it off......Salesman came in with these new (at the time) heat shrink connectors with the rachet crimpers. I laughed.. We stripped a wire..placed it in the connector...applied heat without crimping, to his dismay...clamped the terminal in a vice....gave the wire a good yank...The heat shrink adheared to the wire insulation and ripped it off...Sold, been using them since. Panduit or Anchor for me.
 
M

macsfriended

Seaman
Joined
Jul 20, 2003
Messages
63
Re: Waterproof connectors ?

The guys above who recommended ANCOR heat sealable terminals and connectors have it right. Use ANCOR and you will be doing it right, and permanent.

Also, strongly consider running actual wires for the ground from each light to the ground pin on the trailer plugl. One more way to do it right and permanent. Probably will want to hardwire connect the tow vehicle's ground pin to the vehicles frame, too.
 
rwidman

rwidman

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rwidman

rwidman

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Re: Waterproof connectors ?

jeeperman said:
Lots of fancy-pantsy options.

I use wirenuts pre-filled with high temp grease.

Easy to undo and redo without cutting wires and installing those new fancy-pantsy connectors every time.

Works for me.
Click to expand...
I get a good laugh when I see a boat trailer with wire nuts on the wiring. :rolleyes:

Makes me wonder what the boat's wiring looks like. :eek:
 
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