RIB Maintenance - re-wiring a console

[DiverMike]

The switches and connectors for the stuff on the console is suffering from corrosion resulting in intermittent failure of the depth sounder (no power). So time to re-wire.

Apparently there is some mythical grease which can be smeared over terminals, spade connectors, fuses and the like which is a waterproof insulator. When spade connectors and the like are made the grease scapes away to make a connection but insulates and keeps the water out.

Failing magic grease I was considering using heat shrink tubing to wrap things up - will this just trap moist sea air and lead to corrosion?

Also is it possible to get a marine grade set of switches and fuse box to put in the rib?

Cheers

Mike

[Graham Smith]

You need a dielectric grease, but to be totally honest, any common silicone grease will suffice.

We have a bilge pump which has it's wring connections underwater a lot of the time and we have used some "magic grease", tape and then heat shrink with absolutely no problems whatsoever.

[adam f]

Also is it possible to get a marine grade set of switches and fuse box to put in the rib?

Of course! But like anything specialized, you will pay a little extra. IMO you have two choices with an opne boat like a rib - either you fit basic kit, cover it in grease and try your best to protect it, and then follow this up with regular maintenace and cleaing, or you pay a little extra and fit proper marine grade kit and just maintain it once or twice a year.

TBH in a rib anything is going to be pretty exposed, and things like fully tinned cable, a marine grade fuse box and fully waterproof electronics are worth their weight in gold and will repay themselves very quickly.

HTH

Adam

[toptribefan]

Heatshrink boots that are correctly glued will keep out the moisture well enough, it is after all what we use on the choppers. The correct glue isnt cheap and the boots are fiddly enough to make silicone grease a simpler option. As the console shouldnt get submerged in water unless something is drastically wrong the grease should be good enough, but dont be shy with it.

[DiverMike]

You need a dielectric grease, but to be totally honest, any common silicone grease will suffice.

I've got a tin that says "marine grease" on the tin - will that do?


Cheers

Mike

[Dyson Diver]

bike chain lube ,,, sprays on like wd40 , but sets into a wax , clear stuff is good , motorax clear chain wax ,, its great stuff.

[Captain Calamity]

There are quite a few good books on how to wire boats, if you check your local chandlery they will probably have a copy of Nigel Calder's book which is excellent.

Failing that speak to Vicki at Merlin Power in Poole. She advised on our last major rewiring, and although their stuff isn't cheap it is very resistant to corrosion - the marine tinned cable has a lifetime guarantee, and they sell glue lined heatshrink to completely seal off any crimp lugs.

CC

[David G]

The switches and connectors for the stuff on the console is suffering from corrosion resulting in intermittent failure of the depth sounder (no power). So time to re-wire.

Apparently there is some mythical grease which can be smeared over terminals, spade connectors, fuses and the like which is a waterproof insulator. When spade connectors and the like are made the grease scapes away to make a connection but insulates and keeps the water out.

Failing magic grease I was considering using heat shrink tubing to wrap things up - will this just trap moist sea air and lead to corrosion?

Also is it possible to get a marine grade set of switches and fuse box to put in the rib?

Cheers

Mike

Have a look, ask again on the electronics forum of All about rigid inflatable boats -- for RIB enthusiasts and all rigid inflatable boat users here:

Electronics - RIBnet Forums

You will also get suggestions as to the best make of switches etc etc.

I suspect Bluesea will come up...............

HTH

David.

[Jay_Benson]

if you are after heatshrink then the glue lined stuff is good RS Components do it - probably a lot cheaper than a chandlery.

[NeilB]

We use stuff called 'Liquid Electrical Tape.' Comes in a red can and looks a bit like Black Witch. The idea is that you smear it all over the connector and it sets like rubber. Keeps the moisture out.......