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Old 11-20-2017, 11:05 AM   #21
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When not plugged-in, I drape it over the a-frame behind the propane tanks, open side down. No problems over 5 years.
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Old 11-20-2017, 12:14 PM   #22
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Mine stays plugged in 90% of the time.
The other 10% of time it is unplugged while in campgrounds or winter at home, I store the umbilical cord draped over the a-frame with the business end facing down so rain or due can't get into it.
So far I've never done anything other than that nor needed to.
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Old 11-20-2017, 12:55 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JMynes View Post
I bought that same cover.

If you hang the umbilical over the back of your tongue jack the cover will be on the bottom, and rain will fill the cover with water. The water will stay in the cover and cause problems. In my case the right turn signal light comes on.

Open the cover, shake off the water, and the light goes out.
Exactly what happened to me!
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Old 11-28-2017, 05:05 PM   #24
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I bought a cool little gadget from these guys. Holds the chains, the safety wire and the plug. Comes with a cover for the plug. Overkill and totally unnecessary...but still cool.
http://www.grinnovationsllc.net/
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Old 11-28-2017, 05:08 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mojoe7009 View Post
i bought a cool little gadget from these guys. Holds the chains, the safety wire and the plug. Comes with a cover for the plug. Overkill and totally unnecessary...but still cool.

http://www.grinnovationsllc.net/


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Old 11-28-2017, 06:17 PM   #26
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...drape the cable over the A-frame pointing downward. Can't get rain or dirt in the 7-way. Else, when it gets dirty I just buy a new Airstream.
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Old 11-28-2017, 06:48 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZoominC6 View Post
We've had the same problem over the years and here's what I've learned. Using a small file or a Dremel grind off some of the corrosion on the female side then squeeze Dielectric Grease into the openings, no forgetting the center post as well. Short of replacement of the seven way plug we've found this simple maintenance works very well. Happy trails.
I trim cheap cardboard-backed nail files to fit the holes in the plug then use that to brighten up the copper a bit, then add the dielectric grease.
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Old 11-28-2017, 07:16 PM   #28
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Originally Posted by Protagonist View Post
I bought a rubber cover that fits over the end of the plug to keep it clean. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
When mine got corroded, I was told by the dealer, that the cover had caused it because it keeps moisture locked in with the cover.

Ever since I had the plug repaired, I never covered it again.

Am I missing something?
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Old 11-28-2017, 08:04 PM   #29
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There seems to be a lot of use of dielectric grease.
My understanding was that dielectric grease is used to seal out moisture, but is a very poor conductor if it finds it way on to the surface of the electrical contacts.
The link I attached above also notes it as a poor conductor.
Each year I take one of my wifes old thin emory board nail files and trim it down then slip that in and work around the contacts to clean it up.
I also recently purchased the Husky Super Brute power tongue jack and it came with a very nice hanger that allows you to put the plug up into a cover, but also allows air to circulate. Seems to work well.
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Old 11-29-2017, 07:08 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred L View Post
There seems to be a lot of use of dielectric grease.

My understanding was that dielectric grease is used to seal out moisture, but is a very poor conductor if it finds it way on to the surface of the electrical contacts.

The link I attached above also notes it as a poor conductor.

Each year I take one of my wifes old thin emory board nail files and trim it down then slip that in and work around the contacts to clean it up.

I also recently purchased the Husky Super Brute power tongue jack and it came with a very nice hanger that allows you to put the plug up into a cover, but also allows air to circulate. Seems to work well.


This article contradicts the other article on dielectric grease:
https://www.w8ji.com/dielectric_grea...ive_grease.htm
Apparently there are differing opinions on the Internet...imagine that.
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Old 11-29-2017, 07:42 AM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mojoe7009 View Post
This article contradicts the other article on dielectric grease:
https://www.w8ji.com/dielectric_grea...ive_grease.htm
Apparently there are differing opinions on the Internet...imagine that.


If dielectric grease were a good conductor, it would short every wire in the plug together, it is designed to be a poor conductor. It can only help to keep corrosion off of the contacts.
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Old 11-29-2017, 07:51 AM   #32
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Use Corrosion X not WD-40

First, WD-40 is NOT a lubricant. "WD" means "water displacer." I use a product named Corrosion X. It keeps the brass contacts in the plug corrosion free. I also apply it to the contacts inside receptacle of my tow vehicle. I also have a test device for the trailer connector that came with a small wire brush that will fit inside the plug. I also use small amount of dielectric grease to prevent water incursion into the plug. My AS trailer has a plastic receptacle on the A frame for the plug. It is horizontal with respect to the ground or trailer so it stays dry.
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Old 11-29-2017, 08:12 AM   #33
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I went of 30 years never using dielectric grease on trailer plugs, my safety guy started using it a couple of years ago, I figure it can’t hurt.
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Old 11-29-2017, 08:14 AM   #34
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Hi

The purpose of grease on the connector is *not* to directly improve conductivity. You would use a metal paste for that. The purpose of the grease is to keep moisture off the contacts and reduce corrosion. If the voltage was higher you also could reduce stray leakage with the grease.

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Old 11-29-2017, 08:14 AM   #35
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Yes, dielectric grease is a non-conductor. Otherwise you could not slather it all over your electrical connections without causing a short. The reason it is OK to use in an electrical socket is that the film of grease is too thin between the electrical contacts to cause a significant resistance to the flow of electricity.
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Old 11-29-2017, 09:12 AM   #36
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Originally Posted by jwgreen View Post
I use a product named Corrosion X. It keeps the brass contacts in the plug corrosion free.
Probably more along the lines of what I was looking for.

The other aspect of grease that I am not a fan of, is the debris that gets stuck in the grease if the 7 way plug happens to hit the ground.

And as it is, I invariably end up getting grease on my pants or shorts one way or another from the ball or anti-sway arm... last thing I need is a third obstacle to avoid.
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Old 11-29-2017, 09:17 AM   #37
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Originally Posted by mojoe7009 View Post
Sorry to go off topic, but interesting hooks on the safety chains. Any chance you can post a link or let me know where you found them? Do you know the weight rating on them?

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Old 11-29-2017, 09:49 AM   #38
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Sorry to go off topic, but interesting hooks on the safety chains. Any chance you can post a link or let me know where you found them? Do you know the weight rating on them?





Those aren’t actually my hooks. That’s a picture of their product from the website. I couldn’t take a picture of mine because the wife had a Christmas wreath mounted to the jack motor and it covers the actual unit[emoji45] I have the standard Airstream hooks.
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Old 11-29-2017, 11:06 AM   #39
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I made a hanger to keep the capped plug facing upwards.

Large electrical conduit clamp and stainless eyebolt opened up with hacksaw and dressed with file.

Greg

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Old 11-29-2017, 01:29 PM   #40
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Preventing Corrosion

WD-40 Noooo. Dielectric grease, YES! Axle grease, YES. Vaseline, YES. Crisco on Sundays, YES!!!

The point is not to better the electrical contact, but to prevent corrosion.


Carry On!
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