Retired Wrencher 5,972 #126 Posted Monday at 09:51 AM (edited) 15 hours ago, ebinmaine said: Today Trina and her momma put a piece of pine on the end of the cutoff shelf to keep things in place while moving down the road. They also used some of the trim and block off panels to create a small shelf above the window. This will hold very light items only. It has a USB/C port just out of sight above it. Handy dandy for phones or other items to be charged overnight of we're connected to shore power. The piece of trim on the left is to block/cover old screw holes 🕳. Morning Eric. Just wondering, how can you charge your cell phone when you go off the grid. Or is it everywhere you go there’s power available. Buy the way that is stating look nice. I see you have a plan. Edited Monday at 09:54 AM by Retired Wrencher More info 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 73,907 #127 Posted Monday at 09:55 AM 3 minutes ago, Retired Wrencher said: Morning Eric. Just wondering, how can you charge your cell phone when you go off the grid. Or is it everywhere you go there’s power available. Buy the way that is stating look nice. I see you have a plan. We would only be charging the cell phones where we are using them. So it would be in state parks. Off-grid, the only thing it's on for is pictures. Takes several days to drain the battery of a cell phone if it's on airplane mode. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,972 #128 Posted Monday at 09:56 AM Just now, ebinmaine said: We would only be charging the cell phones where we are using them. So it would be in state parks. Off-grid, the only thing it's on for is pictures. Takes several days to drain the battery of a cell phone if it's on airplane mode. I agree with that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 73,907 #129 Posted Monday at 09:57 AM 24 minutes ago, squonk said: Dielectric grease is an insulator. do not use it on electrical contact points like terminals I've always had that same thought but in the trucking industry that's exactly what they do. I've even seen some "techs" use actual axle grease.... What would you suggest to use to keep the metal from corroding? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 44,283 #130 Posted Monday at 11:02 AM 1 hour ago, ebinmaine said: I've always had that same thought but in the trucking industry that's exactly what they do. I've even seen some "techs" use actual axle grease.... What would you suggest to use to keep the metal from corroding? From a marine site I do not recommend (and neither does Evinrude) using a non-conductive grease such as a "dielectric" grease on electrical contacts. Electrical contacts or connections should be made with the two connectors dry and clean. If there is to be a sealing of the contact connection inside a connector, a non-conductive grease can be used on the connector seals. Since most electrical connections in an outboard engine are only carrying 12-Volts, it is not necessary to use a specialized grease with ability to insulate thousands of Volts of electrical force, which is what a "dielectric" grease is intended to do. However, there is no harm in using dielectric grease on the seals of connectors. But do not apply it to the contacts surfaces. Use it only on the vinyl or rubber seals of connectors. To understand the basis for my advice, dielectric grease is intended to be extremely non-conductive; it is a great insulator. It does not conduct electrical current. Putting dielectric grease directly onto the contact surfaces of electrical connectors does not enhance the conductivity of those contacts. There are, in fact, conductive greases that are often used to enhance the conductivity of electrical contacts, such as BURNDY PENETROX-A, which is used with aluminum conductors. But dielectric grease is specifically designed to be an extremely non-conductive grease that can withstand very high voltage. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 8,008 #131 Posted Monday at 11:52 AM There are many YouTube videos regarding silicone on RVs, you might want to check them out. I use No-Ox on electrical connections. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 12,117 #132 Posted Monday at 01:13 PM Readily available. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,602 #133 Posted Monday at 01:50 PM 3 hours ago, Retired Wrencher said: Just wondering, how can you charge your cell phone when you go off the grid Most USB ports are wired to the DC system. I installed these in my '08 camper. https://www.amazon.com/Anina-Charger-Surface-Automotive-Motorcycle/dp/B0D2KJZV77/ref=sr_1_19 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wh500special 2,303 #134 Posted Monday at 02:50 PM (edited) It’s true that dielectric grease is an insulator by definition, but I’m of the opinion it’s preferred in an application like a trailer wiring connector if your goal is to prevent water entry and corrosion of the mating metallic conductive surfaces. Conductive greases would seem better, but you’re going to have a hard time keeping them from migrating from the application site and they can easily bridge the space between adjacent pins and create undesirable stray currents and shorts. With standard dielectric grease, you’re relying on the pins and sockets to scrape away the grease at the local junction for continuity when you make the connection. I would expect the incidence of this NOT working is exceptionally small where there is high enough voltage and current to bust through the connection I think the key is to be parsimonious with the application of the non-conductive grease. Less is more and all you’re trying to do is keep the pins and sockets from corroding when the connector is open to air. Plus, a big lump of grease will hold a lot of dirt and schmutz that will find its way inside the contacts. You could, I suppose, also use the conductive stuff and carefully coat only the surfaces that matter and remove all the excess that might extrude out, but I think the risk of cross talk is high enough to not merit this level of fussiness. That marine forum snippet looks like it was probably from Jim Hebert as he used to post a lot on the Boston Whaler (Continuous Wave) and Evinrude forums. In general, if jimh posted an observation or made a recommendation you can take it to the bank as being well-reasoned and technically accurate. He’s right, dry contacts are better and no lube would be needed on the actual contact surfaces. But I think he’s also specifically talking about the sealed deutsch connectors that are ubiquitous on an Evinrude (and other outboards) that might occasionally go for a swim. When joined, these connectors rarely get water inside them as they have sealing O-rings, gaskets, and glands. I don’t know that dielectric grease is the best thing to use on a trailer wiring pigtail, but I am of the opinion that conductive greases aren’t a good fit. My trailers (and the truck receptacle) get an occasional spritz of aerosol dielectric grease to keep the water off the metal contacts when they are uncoupled. I’ve convinced myself it’s helpful. Steve Edited Monday at 02:59 PM by wh500special 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 29,090 #135 Posted Monday at 03:11 PM I am no expert, but I have used dielectric grease on boat / utility trailer connections for years as well as on various WH applications. No crud formation and no issues with connectivity. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 14,398 #136 Posted Monday at 03:30 PM 32 minutes ago, wh500special said: With standard dielectric grease, you’re relying on the pins and sockets to scrape away the grease at the local junction for continuity when you make the connection. This has also been my reasoning. If there isn’t a solid mechanical connection, no amount of conductive goop is gonna make it right. Plus, the grease is hydrophobic so not dissolved or diluted if at some point exposed to water moisture (engine oil or gasoline are a different matter). 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 44,283 #137 Posted Monday at 04:22 PM I don't put anything on my trailer connectors except contact cleaner once in a while and have never had an issue either. I can understand with a boat trailer. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 52,416 #138 Posted Monday at 04:38 PM On the jacks EB. Some places still need extra blocks. The jacks work best at 3/4 or less extended. We all use a impact with a 3/4 socket. Not supposed to but these jacks are almost giveaways at rv places if one wrecks. Keep well lubed says greasy Pete 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,972 #139 Posted Monday at 04:56 PM 3 hours ago, Achto said: Most USB ports are wired to the DC system. I installed these in my '08 camper. https://www.amazon.com/Anina-Charger-Surface-Automotive-Motorcycle/dp/B0D2KJZV77/ref=sr_1_19 That is good to know. thanks. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 73,907 #140 Posted Monday at 05:03 PM 39 minutes ago, squonk said: I don't put anything on my trailer connectors except contact cleaner once in a while and have never had an issue either. I have. Several in fact. I've had to replace connectors on the vehicle side a few times over the years and I've gone through at least two on the little utility trailer that we picked up maybe 8 or 9 years ago... I have not been in the habit of putting anything on the connectors in the past. But I don't really feel like rewiring a seven pole on either this new camper or the new utility trailer we picked up a few months ago. Unfortunately, experience clearly shows me that it's only going to be a matter of time so I would like to prevent whatever corrosion I can. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 42,684 #141 Posted Monday at 05:31 PM 43 minutes ago, WHX?? said: Some places still need extra blocks After flipping the axle on my Coleman I had to make extensions for my jacks to compensate for the 5 inches I lifted the camper. BTW, I needed the extra height. Where I camped at Savage River State Forest in western Md., I had to ford the creek 5 times to get to my turkey hunting spot. Even raising the camper, there was one deep ford that I raced thru to minimize the amount of water in the camper. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 10,317 #142 Posted Monday at 10:45 PM Now that we have high jacked Eric’s thread, and changed it to conversation on dielectric grease I’d like to add something. First I’d like to thank @wh500special for using words in post 134 like “parsimonious” that I almost had to look up! 😂 Second, I really didn’t even know I was using dielectric grease incorrectly. For years I would clean the contacts in the electrical plugs on my Fisher snowplow with electrical contact cleaner and then apply dielectric grease until it oozed out and then wipe off the excess. I never had a problem with those connections and it kept the water, salt and corrosion away. Third, here we are talking about grease and where is @peter lena? 2 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 52,416 #143 Posted Tuesday at 12:01 AM 1 hour ago, c-series don said: parsimonious” that I almost had to look up! I did have to look it up... Wow talk about if the shoe fits ... 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 14,398 #144 Posted Tuesday at 12:52 AM 51 minutes ago, WHX?? said: I did have to look it up... Wow talk about if the shoe fits ... Maybe it was just a “cheap” shot!? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wh500special 2,303 #145 Posted Tuesday at 01:00 AM (edited) 2 hours ago, c-series don said: Now that we have high jacked Eric’s thread, and changed it to conversation on dielectric grease I’d like to add something. First I’d like to thank @wh500special for using words in post 134 like “parsimonious” that I almost had to look up! 😂 Second, I really didn’t even know I was using dielectric grease incorrectly… I’m not sure being profligate in your use of the grease means you’re using it incorrectly, i just think once you’ve applied a thin coat that anything additional isn’t buying you much. And it’s messy. Parsimonious… My word choices aren’t usually an affectation (ok, a couple of these were😉), but it probably looks that way. I tend to really let loose when I’m typing on my computer instead of this little iPhone where everything is inconvenient. On the iPhone, autocorrect jumps in when it thinks I’ve spelled something wrong but I’ve instead managed to land on an abstruse (there it is again) word that’s not in its regular glossary. Usually I’ll pick something else when that happens. (As an aside, MS Office seems to have a much larger built in dictionary than these phones. It’s significantly harder to flummox it.) Believe it or not, I talk the way I write. I’m not sure it’s always a good thing. Steve Edited Tuesday at 01:01 AM by wh500special 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 14,398 #146 Posted Tuesday at 01:46 AM Some years ago, as I wrapped up and left a consulting assignment, my clients gave me a thesaurus as a parting gift. It turned out that behind my back for over two years they’d been calling me “Dr. Thessaurus." So I say, @wh500special, if you’ve got it, flaunt it. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites