Waterproofing 3-, 6-, 9-pin, connectors.

[trmcgrade]

Hello all. I'm finishing up my GS650GL rebuild today, and ended up completely rewiring it in the process. I did most of the new wiring with vintage style 9-pin (or 2, 3, 4, 6 pin) connectors, and can't figure out how to waterproof those connections. If I search it on google, I get places to buy waterproof connectors, and if I search it on here, I just get a bunch of miscellaneous maintenance threads. Does anyone have any ideas on this front?

 

[salty_monk]

Use some dielectric grease and call it good is what most here would do....

Some kind of tape product would likely be another simple option.

 

[BigD_83]

The only thing I can think of would be to create nesting "hoods" using heat shrink of some sort, but it would never be 100% waterproof, and you'd have to use a fairly tight fitting and maybe not very flexible sleeve that fits around the wiring to secure the heat shrink. The problem being there would be a large difference in size between the "hood" and the "tail". You're probably not going to be able to use a single piece of shrink-tubing to make it.

Going to subscribe this thread just to keep an eye on the ideas that pop up.

 

[Dogma]

My only concern with tape is if you don't get a good seal, then the tape may end up retaining more moisture than the connector otherwise would have. I used only dielectric grease.

 

[salty_monk]

Yep, I only use dielectric grease too. Our electrics aren't sensitive enough to be upset by a bit of damp....

On the tape front I've had good luck at getting a watertight seal with https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-amalgamating_tape

 

[alke46]

Agree with him ^^^^^. That amalgamated tape is good stuff.

 

[bwringer]

My only concern with tape is if you don't get a good seal, then the tape may end up retaining more moisture than the connector otherwise would have. I used only dielectric grease.

Agreed.

Unless you're using truly waterproof modern connectors with seals for each wire, you cannot achieve a complete, reliable seal. So it's better to use dielectric grease to protect the connections from corrosion but leave the connector open so that water can escape.

This will work fine for many decades of rain.

If you're operating your GS underwater in salt water, then you have other, far more urgent issues...

 

[trmcgrade]

If you're operating your GS underwater in salt water, then you have other, far more urgent issues...

That's fair enough. I'll be having another shot at a homemade wiring harness early next week.

 

[Guest]

Vintage connectors are fine if you are doing a correct restoration or replacing a connector than dielectric grease is the best way to discourage moisture but if you want waterproof: http://easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/Connectors/connectors.html

 

[angrypants]

Would liquid electrical tape like star brite work ?
No experience with doing that just an idea

 

[Guest]

Yes it would. I use it with 100% success on those tap quick splice connectors that came on my trailer but it defeats the purpose of a connectors. I would have to cut them off to work on a problem but trailers are easy to rewire.

 

[Steve]

One (of several) problem with "waterproof" connectors is that they are usually a fair amount larger than "normal" connectors. Most of the wiring harnesses I have seen on GSes are already cramped, I can't imagine intentionally making it worse.

.

 

[Guest]

You could use the liquid tape to seal the end of your connectors where the wires go in and then cut short pieces of heat shrink tubing large enough to seal there the connectors plug together so you can cut the heat shrink to open the connectors if you need to take them apart again. Best of both worlds, keep your vintage connectors and don"t worry about water getting in them again. Realistically, they are going to last a very long time water or not.