trailer wiring question...

[CALVINIST]

What is the best way to waterproof the connections on my boat trailer when I rewire everything on saturday?

Thanks in advance

[BobT]

One thing that should help is to use marine grade wire and connectors. These will use material less subject to corrosion from water.

Bob

[Jeremy airjer W]

I've always soldered every connection that I can. I also use a lot of liquid black tape as well as shrink wrap on every connection I can. I have also had really good luck with the butt connectors with the heat shrink coating (most will have a "glue" that will adhere to the wire as it shrinks around it - shrinkwrap and solder is always my first choice). Finally any connection that can't be done as described above gets a good coating of di-electric grease. This includes all the bulb sockets and the trailer connector as well. (a light coating on the connector).

I have had really good luck using this system on many trailers.

[McGurk]

Solder, heatshrink wrap, and flexloom over everything and put elec. tape the ends. A butt connector has 2 failure points where solder has 1. Anchor the loom multiple times w/ zipties if not run inside tubing. Grind paint off of the grounding point and zip tie the flex loom close to the grounding point so there is no stress on it. Fewest connections possible!!!

I've seen 3 butt connectors in a 6" piece of wire and the guy was still struggling with getting the lights to work.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Youve only seen 3!

[Orlip]

Ive seen 3 about every 12". One other thing I can add is I prefer the solder connection with shrink wrap butt I putt some 3m 5200 on then slide the shrink over and shrink it. really water tight.

[mnfishman]

Solder all your connections, shrink wrap them and then cover the shrink wrap with liquid tape. It will be 100% waterproof and it will withstand the bouncing and jarring of the trailer. I have seen the crip connectors come lose on trailers.