Water in awning power plug AGAIN

[AFChap]

A couple of months ago, I had to replace the power plug on my electric OneTouch awning because the wiring connectinos were very badly rusted. I blamed the seal where the power cable went into the plug assembly. When I installed the new plug, I made sure it was well sealed, and put some anti-corrosive stuff on the connections. Then a couple of weeks ago after heavy rain, I was puzzled to see a few streaks down the sidewall from the awning plug. It appeared something was coming from the plug other than just water, and when I checked, I found it very wet inside. Well, today I discovered what the REAL problem is. When it rains, the rain water runs in a little groove on top of the aluminum awning cover, then streams off the awning right onto the plug assembly. So the whole time it is raining, it's like someone is holding a hose on the awning plug. The plug apparently does not provide a watertight "seal" to the receptical when it is inserted and twisted. The only solutions I can think of are: 1) unplug the connector plug when not using the awning ...but it's too high to reach to easily plug back in when we want to use the awning; 2) create some kind of shield/deflector over the plug; 3) totally cover the plug with silicone caulk, even the end that is supposed to unplug.

Has anyone else dealt with this?

[AFChap]

A couple of months ago, I had to replace the power plug on my electric OneTouch awning because the wiring connectinos were very badly rusted. I blamed the seal where the power cable went into the plug assembly. When I installed the new plug, I made sure it was well sealed, and put some anti-corrosive stuff on the connections. Then a couple of weeks ago after heavy rain, I was puzzled to see a few streaks down the sidewall from the awning plug. It appeared something was coming from the plug other than just water, and when I checked, I found it very wet inside. Well, today I discovered what the REAL problem is. When it rains, the rain water runs in a little groove on top of the aluminum awning cover, then streams off the awning right onto the plug assembly. So the whole time it is raining, it's like someone is holding a hose on the awning plug. The plug apparently does not provide a watertight "seal" to the receptical when it is inserted and twisted. The only solutions I can think of are: 1) unplug the connector plug when not using the awning ...but it's too high to reach to easily plug back in when we want to use the awning; 2) create some kind of shield/deflector over the plug; 3) totally cover the plug with silicone caulk, even the end that is supposed to unplug.

Has anyone else dealt with this?

[John_Canfield]

Paul - is this the 12V connector for the awning motor? If rust is a problem then I would try to change out the connector for one that is non-ferrous.

To seal the connector, use a silicon dielectric paste and literally make a glob and push the connectors together in the glob of paste making sure the connection is completely encased in the paste. You could then use some heat shrink tubing to entomb the connector.

[AFChap]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">is this the 12V connector for the awning motor? If rust is a problem then I would try to change out the connector for one that is non-ferrous. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Well, kind of. The awning motor is at the other end of the wiring. The male end is on the wiring from the motor, and the female end is embedded in the sidewall. The twist connection inside the insert & twist portion must be rust proof as it is all fine. The badly rusted connectors were where the wires connect to push-in & screw terminals inside the male part of the plug. I think filling the connection area there with silicon paste may be the answer, along with doing all I can to seal the outside of the connector too.

It'll be awhile before I get back to it as we left the MH in a friend's yard west of Pensacola and are driving the toad to Albuquerque. My Dad is not doing well -- he'll be 90 in May if he makes it that long!

[John_Canfield]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AFChap:
--snip-- My Dad is not doing well -- he'll be 90 in May if he makes it that long! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Sorry to hear about that Paul. We lost our last parent about three years ago.