Better weather proofing

[profzarkov]

Hello - wanted to garner advice about making the connectors more weather proof. They seem to be the indoor variety, the type used for network connections or phone connections in the US. What have other users tried? WD40?

I'm about to take my sensors down for a Spring clean and thought I'd try some weather proofing.

Thanks

Steve

[RCE]

Silicon Grease

[gemini06720]

How about dielectric/di-electric grease - seals, lubricates, protects and insulates electrical contacts, spark plugs, battery terminals and fasteners from moisture...

[RCE]

How about dielectric/di-electric grease - seals, lubricates, protects and insulates electrical contacts, spark plugs, battery terminals and fasteners from moisture...

Silicon Grease is in the family of dielectric greases

Clean the contacts, you can do this by removing/inserting the plug a few times. I would advise not getting a spray type, better not to get the grease on the contacts as it is an insulator!

Best way to use will be to plug in then smear the grease all round the socket and plug to help protect everything. You will still get moisture entering into the socket from the inside of the unit so may be worth dismantling and coating from the inside too.

[Gina]

The original screen provides very little protection from the elements whether it be dampness or solar radiation! Using an improved Stevenson screen will protect the tx/temp/humidity unit from all the elements. But I certainly agree that failing that a good covering with silicone grease will help a lot with moisture problems. Same applies to the wind vane unit. (Make sure they're dry first.)

I've used silicone grease in most cases of electrics outdoors or where they have little damp protection.

[nking]

Where is the best place to get the grease? Can it be obtained from Maplins?

[RCE]

Where is the best place to get the grease? Can it be obtained from Maplins?

Looks like Maplin only have the spray type

CPC do it http://cpc.farnell.com/servisol/2000020 ... ILGRSETUBE

or on Ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SILICON-GREASE-50 ... _720wt_939

[Super-T]

I've just used vaseline / petroleum jelly for waterproofing

[goldrush]

I would strongly suggest that you do not use bulders silicone adhesive/filler.
These generally use acetic acid or a derirative as an agent and will eventually cause corrosion.
However, as a cheap secondary waterproofing on the outside of any internal grease and covering material (tape etc) on joints it seems ok

[RCE]

I've just used vaseline / petroleum jelly for waterproofing

Probably not an issue given the expected life span of the whole unit but petroleum based products are not good for many plastics and rubbers, far better using silicon grease.

[Keyz]

I sprayed a corrosion protector called INOX on the connectors, then when they were plugged into the sensors, i carefully smeared silicone sealant around the outside of the plugs only. Just thin so the plugs can still be pulled out easily in future if need be.

Looks like with corrosion as above, using silicone sealer was the wrong thing to use. Doh.