Salt water and electrical contacts for FF's and Batteries.

[manlystanley]

I am having connector problems on my yak. So, far this is the best spray to use: CRC 05103 QD Electronic Cleaner

Has anyone found anything better???


Thanks,
Stan

[brianisoutside]

Dielectric grease is helpful too


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[ronaultmtd]

The use of marine grade wire (tinned), in-line connectors and lots of heat shrink at every connection minimize corrosion...I was very careful when I wired the Lady Luck to avoid corrosion issues. I went to Backyard Boats in Annapolis and picked up the Hobie battery holder...talked to the tech about wiring and he gave me his opinion about location, wire and how to do it....there is only one connection in my system- the rest is one long Marine grade wire running from the rear hatch to the fish finder on the right side front tray on my Outback...two years...no issues...I swap out batteries after every trip and install a fresh battery, put the other battery on the charger...that keeps the battery spade clips nice and clean...got two exact same batteries from Amazon.com that are the same size and amp hours as the Hobie battery but cost one third the price...

[J. Rentch]

Agree with Brianisoutside, Dielectric grease has worked for me for 4years on my FF. I just clean and reapply each spring.

[Jman]

That cleaner should be good Stanley and +1 on the dielectric grease. In addition to the heat shrink tubing, I have found that using liquid electrical tape is useful.

[RavensDfense]

+1 on the liquid electrical tape. Works wonders.

[bluefishnc]

Good tips on the dielectric grease and liquid electrical tape. I will have to check out. I also made the switch to spade style electrical connectors vs. alligator clips. The springs on the alligator clips would always rust out quickly letting the clips come loose or not attach at all vs. the spade style connectors witch slide on and so far have lasted much longer for me.

[mchottie]

^ I agree, good tips. I also use spades but my battery shuffles around too much inside the box, and the wire pulls out of the spade, yet the spade stays on the battery. I think a smaller box should fix the issue, hoping to have it tidied up and test out during the Slower Lower M&G this Saturday.

[nhunter344]

^ I agree, good tips. I also use spades but my battery shuffles around too much inside the box, and the wire pulls out of the spade, yet the spade stays on the battery. I think a smaller box should fix the issue, hoping to have it tidied up and test out during the Slower Lower M&G this Saturday.

Shove some foam in the box to keep it from rattling around. Pretty sure you can find it cheap at any Walmart or craft store. Pool noodle will work as well.

As for contact cleaner, I use CRC Marine QD Electronic Cleaner after each trip. I don't have indoor kayak storage so everything valuable comes off the yak when I get home. If I'm taking it off, might as well clean it.

[J.A. Veil]

^ I agree, good tips. I also use spades but my battery shuffles around too much inside the box, and the wire pulls out of the spade, yet the spade stays on the battery. I think a smaller box should fix the issue, hoping to have it tidied up and test out during the Slower Lower M&G this Saturday.

My battery is smaller than the plastic box it sits in. I added a piece of dense foam to fill the gap. It is a low-tech solution but it works and adds minimal weight.

[J.A. Veil]

+1 on the liquid electrical tape. Works wonders.

I have successfully used liquid electrical tape (but it can drip and be messy, particularly when applying in hot weather).

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These days I prefer to place a dab of Goop on the end of my finger and smear it around the gaps around the end of butt connectors or other connections. That works too.

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[PigPen]

I also use copious amounts of dialectric grease. I also setup a silicon sealed junction box inside the tank hull for connection the FF and battery. Pool noodles work great for stuffing the battery box. I also added foam to corners of the battery box so it doesn't bang around a lot during heavy wave action.

[hookmeup]

Dielectric grease for me.

Also, disconnect the battery first before disconnecting the FF.

[Oldbayrunner]

I agree, Dielectric grease, CRC cleaner & Liquid Electric tape on the ends and coating the connectors. When I used Sla batteries I found they fit nicely in a card index box and I would use industrial strength Velcro to hold it in place. I use Lithium now and they fit in my electronics pod. I use the same on my motor battery with Anderson Connectors.