Egon
Epic Contributor
Dielectric grease.:thumbsup:
I think I may have found what I need! This is pretty dang cool if you ask me... A little spendy though my frustration level may go down a bit....
http://ezconnector.com/
Answere is simple, go to Fleetpride or any other heavy truck parts supplier and buy the plugs they use on tractor trailers. Buy the aluminum ones , not plastic, once you get everything changed over, they'll last a long time . 7 pin/ all round connectors, you can buy just the ends, then make an adapter for the odd occasion that you use someone else's trailer with the tv style flat blade plug
No question that will help keep out the crud.
It's something though that's not 'standard' and like you said... if anyone borrows your trailers, they will need an adapter and/or if you tow someone else's trailer, you'll need the same.
If they would have added those sealing o-rings to a standard 7 pole flat connector it, would have served the same purpose and been compatible with industry standard... but maybe there are some copyright infringements or something?
We get a lot of crud here in the mountains of PA and I keep my plugs clean and use dielectric grease. Like I said, never a problem.
You might source an o-ring the proper size to slide on the outside of the plug and accomplish something similar.
Your idea of using a weatherproof junction box to replace the pigtail is good. Enclosed connections are always better than exposed butt connectors.
Personally, I don't care much for the molded connector/pigtail.
A lot of times when they manufacture those things they don't do a good job of attaching the wires to the connectors inside the plug.
I spent a lot of years as an automotive electrical technician and I've cut several of those types of connectors apart and a lot of times they just touch the wire to the connector tab and 'hope' the plastic which is molded around it, holds everything in place.
Unfortunately it doesn't... not for very long anyway.
If changing a plug I like to use something like this...
This way I know my connections are credible.