..I had my van serviced on Monday, brakes and bearings etc. They had to replace the 7 pin plug and Anderson Plug that charges van batteries while on the move. Both were only 2.5 years old.
I use a plastic Anderson cover on all Anderson Plugs to keep dust out when not in use. SO, I have done a seach on here and read some info about corrosion etc and found the attached product. Do you think it will help slow down or stop corrosion?
The other question is, do you think the dust covers might cause the plugs to sweat causing the corrosion?
It doesn't answer why the 7 pin plug coroded and 2 pins broken.
Please be gentle with answers due to being an ageing Chief (Oh! The twins are no help with these things)
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DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Im suprised that the anderson plug pins (i presume) were corroded.
The original (not chinese copy) anderson plugs are designed to self clean when connecting/disconnecting through the sheer pressure of the pin contact area.
Perhaps a product like the one above would be usefull when van is not connected/parked up.
Which 7 pin plug type do you use Dougwe?
Kezngaz.
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Im suprised that the anderson plug pins (i presume) were corroded. The original (not chinese copy) anderson plugs are designed to self clean when connecting/disconnecting through the sheer pressure of the pin contact area. Perhaps a product like the one above would be usefull when van is not connected/parked up. Which 7 pin plug type do you use Dougwe? Kezngaz.
No brand on it, just made in Italy. Not sure on the original. I might put a Nava plug in the box of tricks for next time.
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DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Those who did not notice the item Dougwe showed is a contact cleaner not normal WD40. I have used it before but mainly on the contacts for the pumps on my property.
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There are a number of electrical contact cleaners on the market, the best I'd say is the Worth contact cleaner and contact protector, but probably too expensive for personal use, more a tradesman type thing. Maybe a trip to your local friendly Auto Sparkie and ask him if he could give the plugs a spray every so often.
A preventative like Alminox paste is the best solution and if you find a crew doing high voltage wiring you might be able to exchange a cold 6 pack for a tube or a few coldies for some squeezed into pill jar. Paint it on with a flat art type/size brush and wipe off the dirt next time you want to plug it in and recoat. Magic for these type jobs and adds a bit of lubrication to make plugging in a bit easier, those ABR Sidewinder plugs sure require a lot of extra muscle to get then plugged/unplugged with their heavier spring plates, but they don't come apart when you don't want them to :D I do prefer the genuine Anderson plugs and contacts so when ever I can get them I stock up.
T1 Terry
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Im suprised that the anderson plug pins (i presume) were corroded. The original (not chinese copy) anderson plugs are designed to self clean when connecting/disconnecting through the sheer pressure of the pin contact area. Perhaps a product like the one above would be usefull when van is not connected/parked up. Which 7 pin plug type do you use Dougwe? Kezngaz.
No brand on it, just made in Italy. Not sure on the original. I might put a Nava plug in the box of tricks for next time.
Hi dougwe, sorry i meant is it a flat type, small round or large?
Ive had connection problems in the past with small flat type and working in the transport ondustry i found the large round type to be robust and last for years on the trucks at work.
Kezngaz.
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Commitment shows. Quality is what is done when no one is looking.
In your situation of sitting still for lengthy spells, near a lake The (extra) normal moisture raising from the ground, has obviously got into the plugs
I would spray with normal WD40 as it displaces the moisture and leaves a film protection, which is also a lubricant.
The electrical cleaner (in you picture) will not stop corrosion in your situation, as it does not leave a (any residue), long term film protection
Im suprised that the anderson plug pins (i presume) were corroded. The original (not chinese copy) anderson plugs are designed to self clean when connecting/disconnecting through the sheer pressure of the pin contact area. Perhaps a product like the one above would be usefull when van is not connected/parked up. Which 7 pin plug type do you use Dougwe? Kezngaz.
No brand on it, just made in Italy. Not sure on the original. I might put a Nava plug in the box of tricks for next time.
Hi dougwe, sorry i meant is it a flat type, small round or large?
Ive had connection problems in the past with small flat type and working in the transport ondustry i found the large round type to be robust and last for years on the trucks at work.
Kezngaz.
7 pin LARGE ROUND. I should have said that originally sorry.
Someone parked near me where I am camped told me today during a chat NOT to use WD40 as the lugs need to be dry and WD40 remains moist.
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DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Be interesting to see what the Electricians have to say, about the pins have to be dry, Doug
Inside my motorhome I have four household type large push-in/pull-out fuses on my 12 volt system, going to and from my house batteries The fuses are 30 amp, and just a bit awkward for my hands, to pull them out
An Electrician advised me to coat the connections with normal Vaseline, this has done the job for nearly three years
After towing along the beach and in the surf, you should at the first opportunity wash out the trailer and tug plugs and sockets with clean fresh water!
Well, sorta like Tony. The auto elec who installed the Anderson plugs on me Landy and van said to 'periodically' apply a small amount of Vaseline using a cotton bud to get it into the opening. [Luckily I carry Vaseline for a range of uses ]
However, he also said to give the round 7-pin plug and socket a spray with WD40 (or similar) 'periodically'.
Being a good liddle follower I do jest that. The plugs all seem to engage, and disengage, easily ... and I have no problems with corrosion.
Cheers - John
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Doug - you mention the 7 pin plug and the Anderson plug corroded and needed replacing.....what about the 7 pin socket and the tug end of the Anderson plug - were they replaced as well?
Also did the 2 pins snap where they meet the plug body or where they are splayed?
CRC ( brand ) have a couple of contact cleaners on the market. Co cleaner as it is called is what is used to day, but in the early days Valves & B/W televisions the common contact cleaner that worked very well was CRC 's 2.26 cleaner. This was used in those days to clean up valve pins and volume controls. It would clean out the rubbish and leave a slite film.
What colour is the corrosion? If its green its copper getting eaten, if its white then that may be water on nickle something else. Suggest that each time you disconnect give them a wipe inside or just blow out ant moisture or debris. The "real" andersons contacts are nickle plated to prevent this. CRC contact cleaner is a great product BUT if the contacts are worn to copper (green gunge) then its time to replace them.
Hope you are well old mate
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Thanks everyone. I think I will replace every couple of years if signs of corrosion etc. I will keep and eye on them better than I have obviously 'not done' previously. I am now a bit concerned of spray's attracting dust etc, something thought of today.
Oh! Just thought I would mention that the Anderson Plugs were the 'Anderson' not the Chinese replica. They had 'Anderson' printed on them.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
that's what happens when you have a Colorado Doug lol
Or could it be the twins too lazy to go far enough away from the ute when they do the night "run"???
I have used a different brand of Contact Cleaner when my electrical plugs (like the camera, 7 pin and Anderson) slowly built up dust in them and it got difficult to get the male sides of the plug into the female side.
The cleaner did a great job without causing any electrical current issues and after 7 months of the van sitting beside the house - theyre still looking good - so I will spray the male and female sides as a matter of course - and theyre easier to get together as it must provide a slight amount of lubrication
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Use Tef Gel available from Jaycar. Rub onto the pins on the plug and then plug into the socket, can be used in many situations not related to electrical as a lubricant. Has an indefinite shelf life.
WD40 is a water repellant . Not much of a sealer or even lubricant long term . It washes away any protective coating if anything . Ok as a cleaner but some type of light grease to keep moisture out of plug .Some cleaning and maintenance keeps things working . Nothing applied once works for long . Btw electrical substation links have elect type grease on them to prevent oxidation .. .
(Oh! The twins are no help with these things)
