Waterproofing external electrical connections

[2WheelJon]

Why do they do this - electrical connections on the front of the frame subject to road grime and filth.
The trailer is new and I want to enclose the two circuit breakers and battery disconnect shown in the photos. Looking for some type of waterproof enclosure (no, not Tuperware) to mount these devices in. I'd like to do it now before things get mucked up.
Suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

[cboss]

You might also google "Liquid Electrical Tape". Lots of the loggers in this area use this. Once it dries, it's waterproof. Easy to apply and it is removable, but not easily. I did all of mine three years ago and have had no problems.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by cboss

You might also google "Liquid Electrical Tape". Lots of the loggers in this area use this. Once it dries, it's waterproof. Easy to apply and it is removable, but not easily. I did all of mine three years ago and have had no problems.

That stuff is great for waterproofing. Just make sure you check terminals for tightness before applying. Stuff is nasty to remove if you have to do any work on terminals.

Also keep off skin. Sticks there too as nd you either have to scrape it off oe wait a week or so for it to fall off.[emoji15]

[Bama Rambler]

How about a Carlon box or two with some CGB's (Cable Gland Bushings) for the wires?

[x90rider]

Mount a marine or waterproof enclosure box for all of your components. https://www.polycase.com/waterproof-enclosures

All cables should pass through a cable gland. https://www.polycase.com/cg1

[TimVWulp]

liquid electrical tape is the best way to protect the wiring connections. A box or an enclosure will hold water in it and really make a big mess. It is very hard to make any electrical enclosure water tight!!! As an electrician I have opened up a lot of water tight enclosures to drain the swimming pool and replace/clean up the mess that happened from the water in the box.

[Chuck324]

To some folks this will sound crazy but started doing this about 45 years ago as recommended from a friend. Make sure all terminals are clean, then all connections are tight. Use Vasoline rub, with an acid brush, to coat the entire connection and back on the wire also. This works exceptionally well on FLA battery terminals. Yes they get a little dirty at times and every now and then when doing regular maintenance I will re-coat them. If I need to work on one of the connections for what ever reason I just wipe all terminals with a rag, put it back together and re-coat with Vasoline. I have tried using other petroleum jelly's and have found NONE that works anything like Vasoline. For me I have found this to be a very inexpensive way to keep my outdoor/trailer connections working.

Chuck

[Iowa City Fix It]

I have a Rockwood 2511. I took all of that electrical stuff off the tongue and out from under the wooden floor. Too much moisture and corrosion. I moved all of those items into an electrical enclosure I installed in the front pass thru. This included the in-line fuses, circuit breakers, battery disconnect, etc. This also gets the battery disconnect behind a locked door.

[Stormy Dayton]

I use the liquid for most all of my "outside" connections, however I wrap scotch 33 tape around those connections prior to applying the liquid tape. Difficult at some connections, but worth it, should you ever have to work on them at a later

date...

[babock]

Put some of this on top of it. Then wipe off when you need to do something with the connection.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[hobienick]

^^^X2

Been using it for years on boats in salt water as well as cars and trailers. Any connection that could get wet or is in a corrosive environment.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by x90rider

Mount a marine or waterproof enclosure box for all of your components. https://www.polycase.com/waterproof-enclosures

All cables should pass through a cable gland. https://www.polycase.com/cg1

I was looking at those exact enclosures for our 2018 Cherokee......then we sold it.

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by babock

Put some of this on top of it. Then wipe off when you need to do something with the connection.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is exactly what I use on all exterior electrical connections on our trailer, including chassis ground terminations.

[Philkaty]

Originally Posted by Chuck324

To some folks this will sound crazy but started doing this about 45 years ago as recommended from a friend. Make sure all terminals are clean, then all connections are tight. Use Vasoline rub, with an acid brush, to coat the entire connection and back on the wire also. This works exceptionally well on FLA battery terminals. Yes they get a little dirty at times and every now and then when doing regular maintenance I will re-coat them. If I need to work on one of the connections for what ever reason I just wipe all terminals with a rag, put it back together and re-coat with Vasoline. I have tried using other petroleum jelly's and have found NONE that works anything like Vasoline. For me I have found this to be a very inexpensive way to keep my outdoor/trailer connections working.

Chuck

My dad told me to put it on my car battery and now just use Dielectric grease. Never had a problem with either.

[The Evil Twin]

Originally Posted by x90rider

Mount a marine or waterproof enclosure box for all of your components. https://www.polycase.com/waterproof-enclosures

All cables should pass through a cable gland. https://www.polycase.com/cg1

Exactly!

[2WheelJon]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I decided to cover up the exposed electrical connections. The wires are now in plastic conduit, the connections to the battery disconnect are under a tuperware sealed to the frame with silicone and the breakers are now in a water-proof box. The box has a lid with a gasket so that if I ever have to replace a breaker it will be an easy job.


Here are the before and after photos.

Now on to other projects.

[cboss]

Great job! Looks really nice!