weather proofing bullet connectors

Post by **ColinChandler** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 10:18 pm

Hello everyone,
I've just spent a very pleasant(?) weekend soldering on new bullets and fitting new connectors to the wiring loom joints in the engine bay. The old ones have corroded a bit over the years and were giving connection problems. Has anyone found anything that will keep the moisture out and so prevent them corroding again? I thought of smearing each bullet with vaseline before poking it into the connector but i wonder if that would prevent a good connection? Also any warmth from the engine may cause the Vaseline to start dribbling everywhere. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks, Colin.

Post by **aupickup** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 11:03 pm

well we used to put vaseline on the battery contacts so why not

Post by **lowedb** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 7:54 am

You can buy stuff for this. A company called Electrolube make a variety of electrical contact fluids. Mostly they are for cleaning and / or protecting relay contacts. I've used contact treatment oil in the past on bullets and it's certainly helped, even though it's really meant for protecting relay contacts. The only real protection is to get the connections into a dry area. Don't even think about trying to protect them with a plastic bag, the water always gets in, and is held there!

Post by **simmitc** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 8:25 am

Vaseline works well. Alternatively, once the connections have been completed, spray liberally with silicone ignition sealer. You'll need to mask against overspray and bware of drips, but once dry it will certainly preserve the contacts.

Post by **lowedb** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 1:32 pm

I agree that Vaseline would work, but it doesn't have any corrosion inhibitors.

The ignition sealers I have seen in the past, tend to dry out and crack. These cracks let moisture in and it never gets back out. If there is a flexible one around now that doesn't crack, this should be good.

In a similar vein, you can get paint on insulating tape. Comes in a can with a brush.

All in all, it's almost impoissible to keep water out of things. The best bet is to limit the damage it can do if it gets there.

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 3:13 pm

You could also give them the occasional squirt with I hate to say it WD40

Post by **Willie** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 8:19 pm

Yes, Waxoyl!! I too cleaned and re-soldered all of my bullet connectors
twlve years ago during the rebuild. after refitting I painted all over the
outside with Waxoyl..... I have not had a single spot of trouble sinceIt doesn't crack and certainly repels moisture.

Post by **ColinChandler** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:16 pm

Hello again and thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Choice of 2 really then? Either use something that keeps the water totally out or something that lets it out if it gets in. Cheers, Colin.