handy trailer tip

[spoondog47]

keep a 22 rifle copper bore brush in your tool box. Fits perfect into a female trailer plug. just a couple turn s is all it takes.a time saver with a corroded connector. cost under two dollars. spoondog47

[Jimmy Jig]

My taillight circuit is always corroded every Spring, I'll try it tomorrow......:happy:

[Bunzey UL]

I pack the connecter with dielectric grease twice a year and keep a cap on it when not using. Never have a bad connection this way.

[JerryA]

Good tip...I usually use a small piece of rolled-up emery paper but I can see where this would work great. I use dielectic grease on mine too and it seems to help but these plugs are just a PITA - seems like I'm tweaking mine every time I hook the trailer up...

Thanks again.

[twobearlake]

Great tip.

[Terroreyes]

Just FYI..... dielectric grease is the worst thing you can put on a low voltage connection! Dielectric grease insulates and is NON-conductive. Fine for high voltage applications like spark plugs, but not for low amperage 12V. What you need is electrical contact grease that is very conductive and helps create a solid connection and still keeps out moisture and corrosion.

Something like this

http://www.2spi.com/catalog/vac/silver-filled-grease-techdata.html

[Bunzey UL]

Understood, appreciate the thought. The contact surfaces in the plug force the grease out of the way, allowing proper contact and the "squeeze over" keeps the elements out keeping the contacts from corroding. I would be hesitant to use something conductive as the squeeze over could come in contact with the squeeze over of the next pin over and potentially cause a short.

[Terroreyes]

Understood, appreciate the thought. The contact surfaces in the plug force the grease out of the way, allowing proper contact and the "squeeze over" keeps the elements out keeping the contacts from corroding. I would be hesitant to use something conductive as the squeeze over could come in contact with the squeeze over of the next pin over and potentially cause a short.

That's why you use a conductive grease much more sparingly. Put a tiny dot on each side of the blade. And if you do have excess after you connect it once, you just wipe it off. Dielectric grease just aggrivates the connection problem. I switched over to conductive grease a few years ago and the connection is a non-issue now and never shorted a circuit.

[Gone Again]

Terroreyes
Is this contact grease available at auto parts stores.

[Terroreyes]

Should be. I work for a manufacturer, so I just grab a packet when needed. :)

[spoondog47]

Just to clarify the 22 copper bore brush.Last year i sold a boat i had for 14 years.on the trailer every year a couple of times i would rotate the bore brush in the female connector and then run it across the male end.If not corrision just oxidation could cause a bad connection.In 14 years i have never had any problems at the trailer connector.Could it cause a short yes it is possible.if you have a portable air compressor blow it out with air after using the bore brush.furthermore a light out or partial trailer lights is probable cause for the law to pull you over.

[Lazy Fisherman]

Thanks for the handy tip