Saltwater is bad...

[Threeweight]

Installing a washdown in my boat... opened up the back to run a new power lead from my rear fuse block and I found this...



Two years old... I think saltwater dripped down on it from the rear rod holder.

[GregE]

Yikes!!

Something else we all should check. 

[SR17inBC]

Two words for you....Dialectric Grease!

I smother all my electrical connections such as the Blue Sea systems panels with it...(after I install the cable connections, as it's non-conductive). Seems to work quite well at combating rust and saltwater corrosion ....with only an annual re-greasing.

[croaker stroker]

Rust?  Should that happen to a marine panel ??  Seems like all the metal parts should be brass, copper, or SS.


Ditto on the dielectric grease.  I even use it on my Humminbird plug.

[Wyrguy]

That rust looks like a good example of why you shouldn't use plain jane automotive type crimp/terminal lugs, they'll rust! Blue Sea Systems (the maker of that fuse block, PN 5025) only uses tin-plated copper, lugs & wire terminals should be the same (marine grade tin-plated copper) All the other corrosion (fuzzy white) appears to be caused by using tinned aluminum lugs (just as bad)  :twocents:

Rick

[rusty scuppers]

Lately I've been thinking about finding a cap for the bottom of those rod holders or fab something that would route it to the bilge, cuss if( Heaven forbid ),water comes over my transom, it will dump the salt water right on top of my battery and connections.

[Threeweight]

I only use Anchor brand marine terminal connections, and I do dab dielectric grease on all connections.  Just sharing to show what salt will do when allowed to sit even on top of the line components.  The tin on the Blue Sea unit was completely eaten through, showing copper underneath (well, rust and oxidation).  The Anchor ring terminal actually didn't look too bad.  I think the salt got under it and ate away at the threads of the screw (dissimilar metals, stainless on copper/tin).

The flush-mount rod holders on the rear of the Arimas will allow water to get in back there.  I replaced mine a while back with stainless holders with plastic caps... but the caps do not completely seal.   Going to look for a PVC cap to slip over the bottom of them tomorrow, and glue it on w/ 5200.  I'd pull the things out and patch the holes, but I actually use them for Tuna!

[allpauwork]

Lately I've been thinking about finding a cap for the bottom of those rod holders or fab something that would route it to the bilge, cuss if( Heaven forbid ),water comes over my transom, it will dump the salt water right on top of my battery and connections.

I noticed that too during my rewire.  Not too concerned about the battery as it has a nice battery box but I did mount a negative buss bar away from the bottom of that rod holder.

[Markshoreline]

I removed my rod holders and placed a heavy piece of roofing vinyl over them, then placed downrigger ball holders on top of them.  Seals the holes and provides a convenient place to set the DR balls.  But they don't glow.

Mark

[Wyrguy]

provides a convenient place to set the DR balls.  But they don't glow.

Mark

They could if you tried hard enough!     

Just $45 for the 15 lb ones...!

Rick