7 pin connector corroded?

Wayne_H · Oct 20, 2011

OK, on every trailer I've owned (two....) pins five and six (left and right turn signal) connector pins on the trailer ALWAYS get corroded, even though they don't get wet. What the heck?

What are the chances the onboard trailer battery is causing some kind of galvanic action to cause the corrosian? As of now I'm disconnecting the 12V battery when the trailer is not in use, this problem comes up once a year....

Is it just me or does anyone else run into this?

Wayne

rkeith · Oct 21, 2011

Probably moisture from the roadway. I used to have that problem but I solved it by using a conductive gel from Advanced Auto and put it on the trailer connection so when I plug it in it puts the gel right where it needs to be! It is conductive so I only put a dab on each of the 7 pins. Seems to work great!

High Compression · Oct 21, 2011

Wayne_H said:
OK, on every trailer I've owned (two....) pins five and six (left and right turn signal) connector pins on the trailer ALWAYS get corroded, even though they don't get wet. What the heck?

What are the chances the onboard trailer battery is causing some kind of galvanic action to cause the corrosian? As of now I'm disconnecting the 12V battery when the trailer is not in use, this problem comes up once a year....

Is it just me or does anyone else run into this?

Wayne

I always have the same problem. Less on the 7 ways, more so on 6 ways. Matter of fact I've converted all 10 of my trailers to 7 ways. A little dielectric grease helps, and what position your plug is stored in, I have found, makes a difference of how much rain gets into it.

Diamondpilot · Oct 21, 2011

Put dielectric grease one then plugs and that will end you problems.

You must clean them up first.

Chris

oldballs · Oct 21, 2011

This is my experience on a 6 (?) pin trailer. Even new it made poor connection. I figured it was corrosion and used a battery terminal wire brush to shine it up. But later I noticed that the connection would always work if the sag in the connection was lifted with a zip tie or cord to hold the line up. A hole in the bumper where the spare tire jack-rod was a handy to place to tie it "up". Cheers. Mike

Wayne_H · Oct 21, 2011

Guys: I have tried the dielectric grease route, I really don't see much difference with that.

But, these connectors have seven pins.... why is there corrosion only on the two pins used for the left and right signal (and brake lights)? That is some kind of clue, the metal does not turn green on its own (at least the other five pins don't...)

Just fishing for ideas, I always keep it dry and it does not get moisture in the connector.

regards

Wayne

Egon · Oct 22, 2011

What do you use to protect from road spray and humidty in the air?

moored4 · Oct 22, 2011

Have you disconnected the plug and then checked it with a ohms meter to see if there is any stray current present? With everything shut off there should not be any current except on the positive battery supply line.

Soundguy · Oct 22, 2011

i pack my connectors with grease unde rthe caps..

soundguy

oldyellr · Oct 23, 2011

Wayne_H said:
Guys: I have tried the dielectric grease route, I really don't see much difference with that.

But, these connectors have seven pins.... why is there corrosion only on the two pins used for the left and right signal (and brake lights)? That is some kind of clue, the metal does not turn green on its own (at least the other five pins don't...)

Just fishing for ideas, I always keep it dry and it does not get moisture in the connector.

regards

Wayne

My guess would be that those two circuits see the highest current and a much higher number of "on" and "off" cycles. If the contact pressure between the male and female terminals is not adequate, it would be just like switch contacts arcing. What I would do is thoroughly clean the terminals inside and out with steel wool and spread the male terminals a bit with a knife blade. This will increase the contact pressure. Then, coat the terminals with dielectric grease to make it easier to insert the plug with the spread terminals and also keep out moisture. What someone else said earlier about supporting the connector also makes sense, because that would reduce vibration "fretting" the terminals.