Ideas to protect electronic connections

[jholland]

Need some help!! I have a Humminbird Helix 10 that is mounted on the right side on the driver's console on a swing arm RAM mount. This unit is only used for the Lake Master Charts which means the only connection on the back of the unit that is being used/protected is the Power slot. The rest of the connections where a transducer, ethernet or other peripherals would connect is exposed to the elements. I reached out to Humminbird but they informed me that they do not make any type of connection caps like Lowrance that would cover the exposed ports. All that said, I need ideas on what I can use to cover up these connections to protect them from water and debris. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

[rangerbobber]

All I can think of is take an outside dimension measurement and go to Lowes or hardware store and look in their "specialty" drawers for some kind of cap that will fit....that and a little dielectric grease should do it

[richg99]

Absent finding something to fit properly....I guess I would stuff some saran wrap or other thin plastic sheeting in the holes, and then hit them with a hot melt glue gun ...lightly. With a gentle hand, you should be able to shape a "plug" for each orifice.

[Bass AHolic]

I wouldn't use saran wrap. be making moisture on inside from heat/cool air temps. At Lowes get these or similar


waxman brand rubber tips sized 0.875- 3/4"-1 1/8"

[BassGriz]

You can get plug and socket caps at places like caplug.com or many electronic supply stores. You can also coat your sockets with a little dielectric grease to prevent corrosion. Dow Corning DC4 is a good product that we use in the avionics industry.

[jholland]

Thanks for all the great tips!!

[rangerskeeter]

http://m.skygeek.com/electronic-thre...tor-plugs.html

[bill.s]

You might try some Liquid Electrical Tape on the joints. I'm coating a few guides on one of my rods to see if it's a good fix for cracked epoxy.

[friogatto]

To elaborate on what richq99 suggested,

Cover terminals with a sheet of plastic wrap.
Use a q-tip to push the plastic wrap into the holes (don't puncture the plastic wrap)
Use hot glue, 3M 4000, 100% Silicone caulk, etc to fill the holes and connect then together so you end up with a solid piece.
Wait for it to cure
Remove mold and plastic wrap.
Apply di-electric grease on terminals
Push mold back into place.

The cable collector should easily fit over the mold and help hold it in place.

[CastingCall]

a. Cut the ends off the cables and stick them in the appropriate ports - I'm guessing this is a pretty expensive option.
b. Use a Humminbird cable collector, and plug the slot opening (electrical tape?) after routing the power cord in there.
c. Use masking caps made for powder coating. They are made in a variety of shapes and sizes. https://www.echosupply.com/products/...SAAEgKUr_D_BwE

[bbbill]

There is a product call Liquid Electrical tape:
http://www.overtons.com/modperl/prod...BoCjnYQAvD_BwE

Works great!

[stratosjoe]

Duct tape

[IBHUFFY]

Plasticoid.com
Should be able to find something here. Look for sleeve stoppers and plugs.

[GRR884]

The ones lowrance give you with the units work excellent.

[Rider99XX]

Liquid electrical tape is pretty permanent. Can be difficult to remove if you decide to use those ports at a later date. I'd try to find some caps like Lowrance uses and put some dielectric grease in them.

[western angler]

What happened to putting a little grease on the contacts?